What we’re about
We're raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH). We love the countryside and if by hiking we can help others, then we'll benefit and so will the kids.
All profits will go to charity. Hikers will pay a small fee for the day hike and we'll then deduct Meetup and PayPal fees - the rest will go GOSH.
So, if you love hiking at the weekend and would enjoy the extra feel-good factor of knowing your fee went to a good cause, then please sign up. You'll meet other sociable hikers too.
And if you'd like to lead a hike for us, please do get in touch.
Before coming on a hike, please read the important bits below :)
Our FAQs
Our important legal bits
Our what to wear and take guide (fashionistas look away)
Here’s some examples of where your money goes:
• £10 for a genetic test to diagnose rare diseases.
• £20 to pay for an hour of research time with a world leading scientist.
• £50 to cover the cost of one night’s stay for parents and their families.
• And help fund the planned world-class Children’s Cancer Centre.
Become a Foundation Trust Member:
And you can help even more and without spending a penny – if you’re 10 or older and live in England or Wales, you can become a Foundation Trust Member. You can join here: https://secure.membra.co.uk/Join/GOSH
As a member, you'll have the opportunity to share ideas, help shape the future of GOSH, learn new skills, and meet some great people. You can get involved as much or as little as you like, from participating in 1-minute surveys to joining forums.
Be part of something that makes a real difference to children and families and help make GOSH the best it can be.
Upcoming events
8
Christmas spirit in Oxford ~ 13km/8 miles
Oxford Railway Station, Park End Street, Oxford, GBSoak up the Christmas spirit in Oxford with a walk beside the River Thames and two, yes two Christmas markets!
(We're doing this hike with Variety is the Spice Meetup group.)
Hike facts
Approximately 13 km /8 miles.
Duration: actual walking time, circa 3 hours.
Hike grade: Easy.
Weather: see here
Donation: £5 cash on the day
What to take: a packed lunch and plenty of water.
Also, as we're volunteers we're not insured, so please have your own insurance for this type of activity.
Walk description
Leaving the station, we'll stroll along the Oxford Canal, through a local Christmas Market and then head towards our lunch stop at a popular pub (we're not ordering food here so please bring a packed lunch).
After our break, we'll follow the Thames Path to Folly Bridge. Crossing the bridge, we enter the city and continue along Christ Church Meadow Walk and Poplar Walk, heading towards the iconic Oxford University Colleges. We'll then reach Oxford Christmas Market for more festive atmosphere.
We’ll spend about 30 minutes at the market before heading to the Four Candles pub, just a few minutes from the train station.
Meeting at
Oxford railway station. We'll be outside the station exit holding a GOSH banner, please see the photo below. Meeting time: 10.45 am. We'll leave at 10.50 am
Travel:
- by train from London
Catch the 9.50 from London Paddington, arriving into Oxford at 10.43 am. A day return costs £37.70 but with Groupsave or a Network Railcard, it's £25.10 (times and prices as of 14/9).
There are four trains an hour returning to London from Oxford.
Plan your route: TFL and The Trainline
- by car
Suggest, 'Park & Ride' to avoid high parking charges & emission charges.
KEY INFORMATION
YOU MUST READ THE THREE SECTIONS BELOW - if you join this trip, you're confirming that you have.
- The perilous bit
- Our FAQs, including an explanation of Groupsave tickets which will save you money.
- See here for what to wear and take
AND FINALLY
- We're raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children: https://www.gosh.org
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 😊 - We're volunteers hoping to establish a community of friends, so please go with the flow and help out where and if you can.
- If you need to get in touch on the day, you can call Colin on 07941 646 035 or both of us via Meetup.
20 attendees
Christmas spirit in Winchester ~ 14km/9 miles
Winchester Station, Station Road, SO23 8TJ,, Winchester, GBGo with the festive flow as we immerse ourselves on a varied walk, steeped in history, with lovely views of Winchester and a heart-warming finale at the Cathedral and Christmas Market.
(We're doing this hike with Variety is the Spice Meetup group.)
Hike facts
Approximately 14 km /9 miles.
Duration: actual walking time, circa 4 hours.
Hike grade: Easy to Moderate (there are some hills)
Weather: see here
Donation: £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
Starting from the station, we'll pass the town clock and the statue of Queen Anne, presented to the city in 1713. Next, we'll visit the historic 'Butter Cross' before moving on to King Alfred's statue. We'll then take a brief stop at the Visitor Information Centre to grab a free City Walk leaflet.
With the city bridge and city mill in sight, we’ll follow the River Itchen to St Catherine's Hill for great views of the city. Our journey continues along the Itchen Way to our halfway point and lunch break at Shawford. After lunch, we’ll pass the medieval Hospital of St Cross and the ruins of Wolvesey Castle.
As we head back towards the city, we'll see Winchester College and the house where Jane Austen spent her final weeks. Just a few steps further, we’ll find the medieval Cheyney Court before passing through Prior's Gate and towards the Deanery.
Prepare to be revitalized as we reach the Cathedral and Christmas Market. Here, you can spend 30 minutes exploring the market and the nearby historical sites, or catch an early train home.
We’ll then regroup and head to a pub for a drink or two before making our way back to the railway station and saying our goodbyes 😊
Meeting at
Winchester railway station. We'll be outside the station exit holding a GOSH banner, please see the photo below. Meeting time: 10.35 am. We'll leave at 10.40 am.
TRAVEL
- by train from London Waterloo
Catch the 935 from Waterloo, arrives into Winchester at 10.32 am.
There are 3 trains an hour going back to London.
Booking ahead, two singles maybe cheaper than a return. Using a Network railcard or Groupsave will save you a third off the ticket price.
Plan your journey here: Trainline & TFL
- by car
Winchester has 'Park & Ride' options.
KEY INFORMATION
YOU MUST READ THE THREE SECTIONS BELOW - if you join this trip, you're confirming that you have.
- The perilous bit
- Our FAQs, including an explanation of Groupsave tickets which will save you money.
- See here for what to wear and take
AND FINALLY
- We're raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children: https://www.gosh.org
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 😊 - We're volunteers hoping to establish a community of friends, so please go with the flow and help out where and if you can.
- If you need to get in touch on the day, you can call Colin on 07941 646 035 or both of us via Meetup.
10 attendees
You don't have to be a Pilgrim ~ 1st Day > 21 km / 13 miles
Three Guineas, Station Approach, READING, RG1 1LY, GBDo this walk because - this is the first of three consecutive days walking from Reading to Basingstoke on the St James' Way.
(We're doing this hike with Variety is the Spice Meetup group.)
You are welcome to join us on any, or all, of the three days. If you complete all three consecutive days walking you are not expected to donate anything to Gosh on the third day.
During 2026 we plan to continue to Winchester and on to Southampton to complete this section of the Camino de Santiago in England.
St James' Way, Reading to Southampton - British Pilgrimage Trust
Walk facts
Form: Linear walk from The Three Guineas (just outside Reading Main station) to Mortimer railway station.
Distance: Approximately 21 km / 13 miles
Duration: Walking time circa 5.5 hours.
Grade: Easy/Moderate depending on the weather. The walk has a total ascent of 140m.
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.
Reading - BBC Weather
Walk description
Starting from The Three Guineas its just a few minutes walk to the ruins of Reading Abbey where The St James' Way starts.
From the Abbey we'll walk through parts of Reading town following the Kennet & Avon Canal.
At Theale it's possible to bail out & take a train back to Reading if you're pushed for time, otherwise stick with us as we head away from the canal towards Sheffield Bottom where we plan to stop to eat our packed lunches. There's a pub and café nearby.
After our break we set off across country for the second half of our journey that takes us through Wokefield Common | Berks Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust and on to the charming village of Mortimer, our destination for today.
At Mortimer we can find a warm café or pub to have some well earned refreshments before catching the train and heading for home.
Trains from Mortimer back to London go every half an hour (change at Reading).
Meeting at
Outside The Three Guineas - Fuller's Pub and Restaurant in Reading
The Three Guineas is close to the main entrance/exit of Reading Central railway station and a good place to get a coffee before we meet outside at 9.35am. We'll start walking at 9.40am.
TRAVEL
by train
The day starts a few strides from Reading Central railway station and finishes at Mortimer railway station.
From London: buy a day Return to Mortimer which will cover both journeys. It will cost £31.60 but with Groupsave or a Network Railcard, it's £21 (as of 15/11/25).
Catch the 9.03 am from London Paddington, arriving Reading Main station at 9.30 am.
Plan your route: TFL and The Trainline
KEY INFORMATION
YOU MUST READ THE THREE SECTIONS BELOW - if you join this trip, you're confirming that you have.
- The perilous bit
- Our FAQs, including an explanation of Group save tickets which will save you money.
- 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 😊
3 attendees
You don't have to be a Pilgrim ~ 2nd Day > 16 km / 10 miles
Mortimer Railway Station, The Street, Mortimer, West Berkshire, RG7 3NY, Stratfield Mortimer, GBDo this walk because - this is the second of three consecutive days walking from Reading to Basingstoke on the St James' Way.
(We're doing this hike with Variety is the Spice Meetup group.)
You are welcome to join us on any, or all, of the three days.
During 2026 we plan to continue to Winchester and on to Southampton to complete this section of the Camino de Santiago in England.
St James' Way, Reading to Southampton - British Pilgrimage Trust
Walk facts
Form: Linear walk from Mortimer railway station to Bramley railway station.
Distance: Approximately 16 km / 10 miles
Duration: Walking time circa 4.5 hours.
Grade: Easy/Moderate depending on the weather. The walk has a total ascent of 172m.
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.
Bramley - BBC Weather
Walk description
Starting from Mortimer station its a short walk to join St James' Way where we head for Calleva Atrebatum and can eat our packed lunch. Our walk includes a loop to Mortimer West End that can be taken before or after our break, depending how we feel on the day. If the weather is bad we can visit a local pub.
Next we'll set off across country for the second part of our journey that takes us to the historical village of Bramley, our destination for today.
At Bramley we may be tempted to nip into the Bramley Inn before catching the train and heading for home.
On Sundays the trains from Bramley to Mortimer/Reading are scheduled every 60 minutes with a travel time of 5 minutes to Mortimer and 19 minutes to Reading.
Meeting at
Mortimer Railway station. Please be there by 9.50am. The walk will start at 9.55am.
If you would like a lift from Reading station to the start of the walk please contact Carl R to check availability etc. The 7 seater vehicle will leave Reading promptly at 9.15am.
TRAVEL
by train
The day starts at Mortimer railway station but ends at Bramley station.
From London: buy a day Return to Bramley which will cover both journeys. It will cost £39.26 but with Groupsave or a Network Railcard, it's £26.13 (as of 17/11/25).
Catch the 8.49 am from London Paddington, arriving Mortimer station station at 9.50 am (change at Reading).
Plan your route: TFL and The Trainline
KEY INFORMATION
YOU MUST READ THE THREE SECTIONS BELOW - if you join this trip, you're confirming that you have.
- The perilous bit
- Our FAQs, including an explanation of Group save tickets which will save you money.
- 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 😊
2 attendees
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