About us
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
5
- £5.00
More Cotswold capers ~ one or two days
Location not specified yetDo this walk because - it's the
Cotswolds! What more do you need 😊Join us for one or two days walking at a relaxed pace with time to stop and enjoy the scenery.
There are plenty of hills so a good level of fitness will help.Saturday hike
Start walk ~ 10am from Stroud railway station.
Hiking time approx. 4hrs
Hike distance ~ 12km
Total ascent ~ 455m
Note: We plan to take a short bus ride from the end of this walk to Stroud station.Sunday hike
Start walk ~ 10am from Stroud railway station.
Hiking time approx. 3.5 hrs
Hike distance ~ 11km
Total ascent ~ 286mDonation 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(s)
Saturday - A scenic and varied 7-mile walk from Stroud into the surrounding Cotswold hills, following a mixture of valley paths, woodland and open countryside. With around 400 metres of ascent, this is a fairly hilly route with some rewarding climbs, lovely views and plenty of classic Cotswold scenery along the way.Sunday - A scenic and varied 7-mile circular walk from Stroud, taking us through the surrounding Cotswold valleys. Expect some worthwhile climbs — around 286 metres in total — balanced by attractive countryside, valley walking and some lovely views.
Meeting at
Outside Stroud railway station.
We'll start walking at 10am.
Note: If the train from Paddington is late & you message us we'll delay the start of the walk(s) until 10.20am. There may be bus or taxi options to catch up with us if you arrive after we have set off.Travel
If you’re travelling to Stroud from London, get the train from London Paddington.Another option is to travel with Carl R in his 7 seater vehicle. He'll be picking up from Reading Central railway station on Friday.
Contact Carl for details.Getting back to London
Over the weekend, there's approximately one train an hour going back to Paddington from Stroud.Another option is with Carl R in his 7 seater vehicle with pick up from Stroud railway station on Sunday & drop off at Reading Central Railway station.
Contact Carl for details.If you are driving
Parking in Stroud is the best option.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 😊
9 attendees - £5.00
The Thames Path, Part 4. (14 Miles/22KM)
Location not specified yetDo this walk because - its a great way to see the River Thames and follow its flow from the beautiful Cotswolds towards London.
We plan to complete the 292 km distance in about 20 single-day walks over a 24 month period. Estimated completion is May 2028.
We're doing this hike with Variety is the Spice Meetup group. Carl R will lead the walk.
Walk facts (Stage 4)
Form: Linear walk from Newbridge to Oxford.
Distance: Approximately 14 miles / 22km
Duration: Walking time circa 5.5 hours.
Grade: Easy. During wet weather the paths can become muddy.
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
Our route will generally follow the Thames Path. We will be walking in the direction of flow of the River Thames.Meeting at
Outside The Rose Revived pub, Newbridge.
We'll be outside The Rose Revived at 10:45am.
We'll start walking at 10:50am.Travel to the start of the walk
The start location for this walk is very difficult to get to with public transport.
It may be possible to join Carl at Reading and travel by car to the start of the walk (subject to space in the car). Please contact Carl if you’d like a lift.
A £5 donation is requested for the return journey to help cover costs (this is separate to your walk donation to GOSH).Travel home after the walk
Public transport options from Oxford are quite good.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 😊
10 attendees 
The Chiltern hills and Henley-on-Thames - 19 Km/12 miles
Wargrave Station, Wargrave Wokingham, RG10 8EU, GBDo this walk because - you'll see some great countryside along the Chiltern Way, enjoy the majestic Thames, and finish up in one of the most beautiful towns in Britain.
Walk facts
Distance: Approximately 19 km / 12 miles
Duration: Walking time circa 5.5 hours.
Grade: Moderate. We will maintain a steady pace over varied surfaces. 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 station we'll walk through the historic village of Wargrave towards Bottom Boles Wood.
Soon we join The Chiltern Way that will lead us to the Thames Path for some easy walking past Hambleden Lock to Remenham where we re-join The Chiltern Way for a more energetic route to our destination at Henley-on-Thames - one of the most beautiful towns in Britain.
From Henley Bridge its just a few steps to the end of our walk and a well-earned drink located within easy reach of the railway station.Meeting at
Wargrave railway station. We'll be outside the station exit holding a GOSH banner, please see the photo below.
Meeting time: 10.20 am. We'll leave at 10.25 am.TRAVEL
by train
The day starts at Wargrave station and finishes in Henley on Thames. Buy a day Return to Henley on Thames which covers both journeys. It will cost £25 but with Groupsave or a Network Railcard, the price is £16.65 (as of 30/8/25).
From London: catch the 9.37 am from London Paddington arriving Wargrave at 10.19 am (change at Twyford).
Coming back: there are 2 trains an hour going back to London from
Henley on Thames.
Plan your route: TFL and The Trainlineby car:
If you're driving there is a car park at Wargrave station & also at Henley-on-Thames railway station.
Limited spaces will be available in a car traveling from Reading to Wargrave (return). Message Carl R for information.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- £5.00
The Thames Path, Part 5 (13 Miles/20KM)
Location not specified yetDo this walk because - it's a great way to see the River Thames and follow its flow from the beautiful Cotswolds towards London.
We plan to complete the 292 km distance in about 20 single-day walks over a 24 month period. Estimated completion is May 2028.
We're doing this hike with Variety is the Spice Meetup group. Carl R will lead the walk.
Walk facts (Stage 5)
Form: Linear walk from Oxford to Abingdon (finishes at Culham station).
Distance: Approximately 13 miles / 20km
Duration: Walking time circa 5 hours.
Grade: Easy. During wet weather the paths can become muddy.
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
We will be walking in the direction of flow of the River Thames. This walk carries us from Oxford’s historic spires into quiet riverside meadows, with long, peaceful stretches of the Thames guiding us to all the way to Abingdon.In the event that the River Thames is flooding an alternative walk will be offered.
Meeting at
Outside Oxford railway station.
We'll be outside the station entrance at 10:10am.
We'll start walking at 10:15am.Travel to the start of the walk
There is a regular train service from Paddington to Oxford.Travel home after the walk
There is a regular train service from Culham station to Paddington and other destinations.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 😊
8 attendees
Past events
161
