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- 1066 Trail: Hike the historic path of William the Conquerer (29km)Victoria Station, London£10.00
*Price is organiser's fee only and does not include train travel. Please buy your own train tickets.*
Join me for a long, linear hike in the Sussex countryside. We'll be following in the footsteps of William the Conquer, who landed in Pevensey in 1066 and made his way to meet King Harold in the battlefield in...Battle! His indelible mark on the countryside is evident in the many castles and defenses he built in his wake. Rather charmingly, this is now a sculpture trail, much inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry.
We will start our adventure in Pevensey, where William and his troops landed after crossing from Normandy. He promptly built a castle here on top of an earlier Roman defense, the ruins of which we will explore. From here, we wander into the Sussex countryside and wetlands, which are very important bird stopovers for all the migratory summer visitors we have. We will spy Herstmonceux Castle, the oldest medieval castle made of brick. We will go through woodland and quiet countryside on our way to Battle Abbey, site of where the Battle of Hastings took place, and the fate of the English was changed forever.
Pevensey to Battle is the first leg of this trail. We'll come back and go from Battle to Rye at a future date.
GRADE: Hard/Advanced. 18 miles/29km 477m ascent. This is a very long hike, so you must have a good amount of fitness. While there's a lot to stop and see along the way, we will be taking this at a fairly fast pace. Plan on 7 hours active hiking time. This is a full day hike with long train rides on either end, so consider yourself committed for the full day.
COST: £10 organiser's fee. Does not include train tickets, so please buy these yourself.
MEETING POINT: 8:30 Victoria Station near the ticket office.
TRAINS: 8:54 direct train from London Victoria, arriving at Pevensey & Westham station at 10:32 (1 hour 38 min travel time). Return is from Battle on a different train line (1 hour 18min) back to London Charing Cross. You can either do advance singles, or try a return to Hastings that stops at these stations. Train ticket prices vary so please check before booking.
HIKE STARTS: 10:32 Pevensey & Westham station, shortly after the train arrives.
LUNCH: Packed lunch
HIKE FINISHES: approx 18:00 Battle station.
HIKE LEADER: Natalie
WHAT TO BRING: lunch, snacks, water, suitable clothing and hiking footwear. Click here
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Instagram - Beginners hike Hertford Castle, Chadwell Springs and Panshanger Park.Ware Station, Ware£10.00
GRADE: Beginner 18km 12m this trail is on good footpaths and tracks and towpaths. 4.5 hrs hiking time 118m ascent.
This delightful country hike invites us to embark on a scenic adventure starting in Ware and following the captivating course of the River Lea, which eventually merges with the New River. Constructed in 1613, the New River was a vital source of drinking water for London. We trace the meandering path of the River Lea.
Crossing the picturesque Hartham Common, and making our way to the charming and historically significant market town of Hertford, our journey leads us through the grounds of Hertford Castle, which once played a role as the relocation site for Parliament during the great plague.
Continuing on our route, we join an old railway that guides us to Panshangar Country Park, where we immerse ourselves in the picturesque countryside. Here, we discover lush grasslands, serene lakes, and ancient woodlands. Notably, we pay a visit to The Great Oak, famously planted by Queen Elizabeth I, and celebrated as the largest oak tree in the country.
Along the way, we pass well-preserved remnants of an Orangery and continue on to the foundations of the original manor house, offering breathtaking panoramic views across the Mimram Valley. If luck is on our side, we may even have the chance to spot passing Ospreys and the tranquil sight of Longhorn Cattle grazing in the distance.
Our path eventually brings us back to the enchanting town of Hertford, where a variety of charming cafes and inviting pubs await, offering the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind before we begin our journey back home.
COST: £10 pay on RSVP
MEETING TIME: 10:05 Ware Station outside the main entrance.
GETTING THERE
Inside the London travel card zone so you can use your Oyster card.
Trains leave from Stratford ant Tottenham Hale (https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/) use the train toilets, there are no toilets at Ware Station.WALK STARTS: 10:05 Ware Station
LUNCH: Pack lunch on route
ESTIMATED FINISH: 16:30, Hertford East Station.
What to bring: lunch, snacks, water, suitable clothing and hiking footwear. Click here-
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Contact: golondongary@hotmail.co.uk - 07968585224
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- WHW Ben Nevis Ascend- Hike Scotland's Highest PeakBen Nevis, Fort William£140.00
This is meant to be an extension trip to the West Highland Way. We will have an optional ascend of Ben Nevis leaving from the hostel that we're already staying at. This is a great way to end a 100 mile hike!
Ben Nevis is said to always have its head in the clouds, but occasionally you'll get a brilliant day for it! Once an active volcano that collapsed in on itself millions of years ago, the Ben is now a long but non-technical climb to the summit- the highest peak in the UK. At 1,345 meters, this is a fitting end for the West Highland Way!
ITINERARY:
Saturday 3 Aug- Ascend Ben Nevis. We'll get up early and begin our hike to the top of the UK. It usually takes 3-4 hours to reach the summit, and another 3 hours back down.
Sunday 4 Aug- Depart Fort WilliamPRICE £140 payable by paypal or bank transfer
PRICE INCLUDES: one night hostel accommodation, guided hike with experienced Mountain Leader up Ben Nevis, breakfast, packed lunch and dinner.
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: Transport, drinks, and all other expenses
More details TBA
- Big Summer Hike: South Downs Way, Southease to LewesVictoria Station, London£10.00
This hike finishes with a visit to a pop-up bar, high on the South Downs, and a 30-minute walk from Lewes.
Let's celebrate late summer with a hike in the South Downs. Some grand hills to climb, with epic views wherever you turn! Starting in the village of Southease, we'll hike up into the Downs and circle around the beautiful town of Lewes. This is the heart of beautiful South Downs National Park and pastoral England, and great for those who like hilly challenges.
We have reserved a field outside of Lewes for the afternoon for drinks and bar snacks, and we'll converge there with other groups of hikers at the end of the hike. What's better than a field with a bar in it, with views of the South Downs all around? Join us!
GRADE: Intermediate to advanced. 21km/13 miles 558 metres of elevation gain. This hike has three hills along the way. It's mostly on good paths and tracks but exposed to the elements. 6 hours' active hiking time.
COST: £10 organiser's fee on RSVP. Does not include train tickets - you will need to buy your own ticket to Southease and return to Lewes.
MEETING POINT: 8:30 London Victoria Station near the Monsoon shop (near platform 11).
TRAIN: 8:54 that gets to Southease 10:06 with a change at Lewes, 1 hour 12 min travel time.
LUNCH: Packed lunch
HIKE ENDS: Approx 18:00 Lewes station
HIKE LEADERS: Natalie and Davina
What to bring: lunch, snacks, water, suitable clothing, and hiking footwear. Click here for the full kit list
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