Hike For Charity

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

Sat, Oct 24 · 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 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.
We will monitor train arrivals and can wait a reasonable time if a
recommended train is running late.

Travel
The trip starts in Merstham and ends in Epsom, so you'll need two singles:
Recommended trains from London either 9.54 am from London Blackfriars (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 £13.30.
Return trains from Epsom run to Waterloo, Victoria and London Bridge.
Cost of a single is £6.30. Four trains an hour go back to London.
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 😊

The Thames Path, Part 4. (14 Miles/22KM)

Sat, Oct 31 · 10:45 AM GMT

Location not specified yet

Do 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.

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 😊

The Chiltern hills and Henley-on-Thames - 19 Km/12 miles

Sat, Nov 7 · 10:20 AM GMT

Wargrave Station, Wargrave Wokingham, RG10 8EU, GB

Do 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 Trainline

by 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.

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 😊

The Thames Path, Part 5 (13 Miles/20KM)

Sat, Nov 21 · 10:10 AM GMT

Location not specified yet

Do 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.

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 😊