Hike For Charity

Colley Hill Panoramas & Epsom Downs Crossing - 12 miles / 19km

Sat, Jun 27 · 10:40 AM BST

Merstham Railway station, RH13ED, Mersham, GB

Do this walk because - of the magnificent North Downs views, and enjoy the rare thrill of striding straight across the famous Epsom Downs Racecourse (no racing that day!).

We're doing this hike with Variety is the Spice Meetup group. Rob P will lead the walk.

Walk Facts
Distance: Approximately 12 miles / 19km
Duration: Walking time circa 5 hours 45 mins incl. lunch stop.
Grade: Moderate. We will maintain a steady pace over varied surfaces. There are some hills with a total ascent of 883ft / 269m.
Donation to GOSH: £5 cash on the day.
What to take: A packed lunch (essential) and plenty of water.
Also, we're not insured, so please have your own insurance for this type of activity.

Walk description
A 12-mile linear walk through some of the most scenic stretches of the Surrey countryside. The walk initially takes us through the grounds of Gatton Park, then gently upwards on to the North Downs escarpment. We will pass Reigate Fort, and the unique memorial to a crashed WW2 bomber.
Our picnic lunch break will be atop Colley Hill, with magnificent views southwards over the Surrey Hills. In the afternoon, we’ll pass through a variety of woods, fields, heaths and paddocks, before walking directly over Epsom Downs Gallops and Racecourse, with a good view of the grandstand.
We will finish in Epsom town centre, with the option of drinks at a very decent Wetherspoons before making our way home from the nearby Epsom Station.

Picnic lunch stop at Colley Hill. There is no cafe, pub or shop option, so a packed lunch is essential.

Meeting at
Merstham Railway station at 10.40 am. We'll start walking at 10.45 am.

Travel
The trip starts in Merstham and ends in Epsom, so you'll need two singles:

Recommended trains from London either 10.00am from London Bridge (via East Croydon) arriving 10.31, or the 10.08 from Victoria (via Clapham Junction and East Croydon) arriving at 10.41.
Cost of a single is £7.50.
Return trains from Epsom run to Waterloo, Victoria and London Bridge.
Cost of a single is £6.30.
Contactless is available at both stations. Ticket cost can reduce by a third with a Network Rail Card or Group Save.

Travelling by car is not recommended due to the complexity of public transport travel between Epsom and Merstham.

1. The perilous bit
2. Our FAQs, including an explanation of group save tickets which will save you money.
   3. See here for what to wear and take. Specifically make sure you bring good hiking boots and that you are ready for muddy conditions or uneven terrain.

AND FINALLY
We're raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children
We’ll deduct Meetup fees but all the profits will go to GOSH. After each hike, we’ll let you know exactly how much we’ve all raised. And if you’d like to join us and raise money by leading some hikes, please get in touch – the more the merrier 😊

Ridgeway Rollercoaster: Ascents, Descents and Epic Vistas - 17km/11 miles

Sat, Jul 4 · 10:05 AM BST

Princes Risborough station, Station Approach, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, HP27 9DN, Buckinghamshire, GB

Do this walk because - The Ridgeway National Trail will lead us to some splendid views from the Chiltern Hills 😊.

We're doing this hike with Variety is the Spice Meetup group. Carl R will lead the walk.

Walk facts
Form: Linear route from Princes Risborough to Little Kimble.
Distance: Approximately 11 miles / 17km
Duration: Walking time circa 5 hours.
Grade: Moderate. We will maintain a steady pace over varied surfaces. There are lots of hills so it will be tough in places! Total ascent of 437m
Donation to GOSH: £5 cash on the day.
What to take: A packed lunch and plenty of water.
Also, we're not insured, so please have your own insurance for this type of activity.

Walk Description
From the market town of Princes Risborough we’ll join The Ridgeway National Trail for a series of ascents and descents with some great views along the way.

During our walk we’ll find somewhere to sit and eat our packed lunches. CAN YOU SPECIFY WHERE? IF NOT, DON'T MENTION IT

Our route will take us past the country house of the Prime Minister and the monument on Coombe Hill. From here, we'll get glorious views as far away as the Cotswolds!

Towards the end of our adventure we’ll stop for a well-earned drink.

Meeting at
Princes Risborough railway station at 10.05am. We will start walking at 10.10am.

Travel
By train from London (return)
To cover both journeys from London, by a day return to Little Kimble. It costs £29.20 but with a Network Railcard or Groupsave, it's £19.40
Outbound - Get the 8.52 from Marylebone, arriving into Princes Risborough at 9.58 am.
Return - Trains from Little Kimble to Marylebone are scheduled every hour.

By car
Carl has a seven seat vehicle leaving Reading Central Railway station at 9am to the start of the walk and returning from Princes Risborough after the walk.
It is necessary to take a 10 minute train journey from the end of the walk back to the car.
Please contact Carl to reserve a seat.
A donation of £2 would be appreciated to help cover Meetup costs.

There is a car park at Princes Risborough railway station.

KEY INFORMATION
YOU MUST READ THE THREE SECTIONS BELOW - if you join this trip, you're confirming that you have.

1. The perilous bit
2. Our FAQs, including an explanation of Group save tickets which will save you money.
3. See here for what to wear and take. Specifically make sure you bring good hiking boots and that you are ready for muddy conditions . Please - no trainers, they are not suitable for walking in the wintry muddy conditions.

AND FINALLY

• We're raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children

We’ll deduct Meetup fees but all the profits will go to GOSH. After each hike, we’ll let you know exactly how much we’ve all raised. And if you’d like to join us and raise money by leading some hikes, please get in touch – the more the merrier 😊