KEN'S GREEN WALKS FOR HEALTH

 
 
 

A COUNTRYSIDE and FOREST CIRULAR WALK from the spa town of ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS (Part 1).

HISTORY of ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS
The discovery of the Chalybeate Spring (iron ferrous waters) in 1606 marked the beginning of Royal Tunbridge Wells. It soon became a fashionable place to visit for well-to-do society, aristocrats and royalty, hoping to partake of the healthy spring waters. It was popular for horse racing and cricket. A promenade of colonaded shops known as the 'Pantiles' was built in the 1680's. Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I often visited, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and the Duchess of Kent were visitors, and later Edward VII was a regular visitor. It was Edward VII who by royal appointment bestowed the town with the title 'Royal Tunbridge Wells' in 1909. By the early 1800s there was a timetable of horse drawn carriages making the 5 hour journey to London 9 times each day. A rail link was established in 1845 cutting the journey time to London to two hours. The racecourse was closed soon afterwards in 1845 on demand by the local residents, due to 'drunken and riotous behaviour ' of some visitors. In 1902 a stunning Opera House was built, which can still be visited today whilst enjoying a pint of beer.

WALK START: Tunbridge Wells Station at 11.00am
WALK ROUTE: From Tunbridge Wells station we will head along the Pantiles before heading into the countryside up to High Rocks Monument. We will then pass through Ramslye Woods and Hargate Forest before heading back to Tunbridge Wells. The route has some hills and some rough ground. The walk will be continous with very few stops. It is your responsibilty to keep walkers ahead in view and to follow the direction of the walk.
WALK DISTANCE: Approx 8 miles at a moderate pace.
WALK FINISH: Tunbridge Wells Station around 2pm
STOPPING OUT POINT: None

RISKS: Please dress appropriately for countryside walking and prevalent weather conditions and carry a bottle of water and necessary medication. You need to be moderately fit for this walk and be able to walk for four miles without a break. In these walks we use; pavements, cross busy roads, public parkland, towpaths alongside water, other public paths, rights of way, bridlepaths, country lanes and other established paths and tracks through woodland, bush and countryside. Please only wear good sturdy shoes, preferably walking boots and take care as surfaces may be uneven, tree roots may protrude, there may be low overhanging branches and some paths are also used by joggers and cyclists and sometimes cars (country lanes). Some tracks may be muddy and slippery. Farm and wild animals may also occasionally be encountered en-route. If you require insurance for these walks then you must arrange this yourself. Unfortunately no dogs are allowed on this countryside walk.

WHAT IF THE WEATHER'S BAD - Light rain is not a problem. However if torrential rain is forecast please check this page on the morning of the walk for an update.

COST: Free for holders of the Ken's Events Card. Otherwise there is a £5 fee.

All Ken's Events are subject to a disclaimer. Please click here (http://www.meetup.com/LONDON-MEETUP-SOCIAL-GROUP-KENS-EVENTS/pages/KEN%27S_EVENTS_DISCLAIMER/) to view disclaimer.

If you enjoy weekday and evening walks, then you should join Ken's Weekday and Evenings Walking Group. Click here for more information. (https://www.meetup.com/KENS-WEEKDAY-EVENING-WALKS/)

WANT TO COME ON ANOTHER WALK:
For a list of future walks please see http://www.meetup.com/KENS-EVENTS-EXPLORE-LONDON-SECRETS/events/

KEN'S EVENTS (http://www.kensevents.co.uk/) which also has a Facebook page and Twitter account. See http://www.facebook.com/Kens.events

and http://www.twitter.com/KenEvents/

When you arrive at the station look for Ken with the 'KEN'S EVENTS'/Meetup Flag/Sign/Badge.

Please post no pre-event messages unless you are posting something relevant for the whole group.

 
 
 

A FIGURE OF EIGHT WALK around the SPA TOWN and GREEN SPACES of ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS (Part 2).

HISTORY
The discovery of the Chalybeate Spring (iron ferrous waters) in 1606 marked the beginning of Royal Tunbridge Wells. It soon became a fashionable place to visit for well-to-do society, aristocrats and royalty, hoping to partake of the healthy spring waters. It was popular for horse racing and cricket. A promenade of colonaded shops known as the 'Pantiles' was built in the 1680's. Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I often visited, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and the Duchess of Kent were visitors, and later Edward VII was a regular visitor. It was Edward VII who by royal appointment bestowed the town with the title 'Royal Tunbridge Wells' in 1909. By the early 1800s there was a timetable of horse drawn carriages making the 5 hour journey to London 9 times each day. A rail link was established in 1845 cutting the journey time to London to two hours. The racecourse was closed soon afterwards in 1845 on demand by the local residents, due to 'drunken and riotous behaviour ' of some visitors. In 1902 a stunning Opera House was built, which can still be visited today whilst enjoying a pint of beer.

WALK START: Tunbridge Wells Station at 2.30pm
WALK ROUTE: From Tunbridge Wells station we will head uphill past the Opera House before entering into Tunbridge Wells Common where we will walk the route of the old horserace track before heading back to Tunbridge Wells Station via the historic 'Pantiles' to complete the first loop of the figure of 8 walk. Next we will head out east to the beautifully landscaped Dunorlan Park, before returning again to the Opera House where you can enjoy a drink and some food. The route has several steep hills. The walk will be continous with very few stops. It is your responsibilty to keep walkers ahead in view and to follow the direction of the walk.
WALK DISTANCE: Approx 6 miles at a moderate pace.
WALK FINISH: The Opera House is a short 6 minute downhill walk to Tunbridge Wells Station.
STOPPING OUT POINT: Halfway at Tunbridge Wells Station

Train times and fares from London to be advised later.

RISKS: Please dress appropriately for countryside walking and prevalent weather conditions and carry a bottle of water and necessary medication. You need to be moderately fit for this walk and be able to walk for four miles without a break. In these walks we use; pavements, cross busy roads, public parkland, towpaths alongside water, other public paths, rights of way, bridlepaths, country lanes and other established paths and tracks through woodland, bush and countryside. Please only wear good sturdy shoes, preferably walking boots and take care as surfaces may be uneven, tree roots may protrude, there may be low overhanging branches and some paths are also used by joggers and cyclists and sometimes cars (country lanes). Some tracks may be muddy and slippery. Farm and wild animals may also occasionally be encountered en-route. If you require insurance for these walks then you must arrange this yourself. Unfortunately no large dogs or small children are allowed on this walk.

WHAT IF THE WEATHER'S BAD - Light rain is not a problem. However if torrential rain is forecast please check this page on the morning of the walk for an update.

COST: Free for holders of the Ken's Events Card. Otherwise there is a £5 fee.

All Ken's Events are subject to a disclaimer. Please click here (http://www.meetup.com/LONDON-MEETUP-SOCIAL-GROUP-KENS-EVENTS/pages/KEN%27S_EVENTS_DISCLAIMER/) to view disclaimer.

If you enjoy weekday and evening walks, then you should join Ken's Weekday and Evenings Walking Group. Click here for more information. (https://www.meetup.com/KENS-WEEKDAY-EVENING-WALKS/)

WANT TO COME ON ANOTHER WALK:
For a list of future walks please see http://www.meetup.com/KENS-EVENTS-EXPLORE-LONDON-SECRETS/events/

KEN'S EVENTS (http://www.kensevents.co.uk/) which also has a Facebook page and Twitter account. See http://www.facebook.com/Kens.events

and http://www.twitter.com/KenEvents/

When you arrive at the station look for Ken with the 'KEN'S EVENTS'/Meetup Flag/Sign/Badge.

Please post no pre-event messages unless you are posting something relevant for the whole group.

 
 
 

Join us for a walk through Hampstead Heath and up to Parliament Hill then through to Sandy Heath and Hampstead Heath extension before finishing at Golders Green Station.

Get out, explore and enjoy London's abundant green spaces and surprising surrounding countryside. Give up the city streets for a day and breathe some fresh air. Improve your overall fitness levels!

START: Hampstead Heath Station (London Overground Line).
FINISH: Golders Green Station (London Underground- Northern Line)
DISTANCE: Approx 5 miles.
STOP OUT POINT: Nearby bus routes during some parts of the walk.

COST:This walk is FREE for holders of the Ken's Events Membership Card otherwise please note there is a £5 organisers charge for this meetup.

Route: This is a green/health walk, therefore it will be focused, where possible, on green open spaces and forested areas well away from busy streets.

Walk will be at a good pace and continuous with few stops. It is your responsibility to keep walkers ahead in view at all times and to follow the direction of the walk.

Ken's Events are subject to a disclaimer. Please click here (http://www.meetup.com/LONDON-MEETUP-SOCIAL-GROUP-KENS-EVENTS/pages/KEN%27S_EVENTS_DISCLAIMER/) to view disclaimer.

RISK WARNING FOR ALL WALKS: Dress appropriately for weather conditions with non-slip sturdy shoes and carry a bottle of water and necessary medication. You must be moderately fit for this walk and be able to walk for four miles without a break. In these walks we use; pavements, cross busy roads, public parkland, towpaths alongside water, rights of way, bridlepaths, country lanes and other established paths and tracks through woodland, bush and countryside. Please take care as surfaces may be muddy, slippery, uneven, tree roots may protrude, there may be low overhanging branches,stinging nettles, and some paths also have joggers, cyclists and even cars (country lanes). On occasion wild,domestic and farm animals may be encountered. If you require insurance for these walks then you must arrange this yourself.

Unfortunately large dogs or small children are permitted on these walks.

 
 
 

Get out, explore and enjoy London's abundant green spaces and surprising surrounding countryside, whilst making new friends in a group walk!! Give up the city streets for a day and breathe some fresh air. Improve your overall fitness levels, whilst chatting to new people during the walk and afterwards in a pub.

Today walk is through Golders Hill Park and Hampstead Heath to the SECRET PERGOLA, hidden amongst the trees and constructed during the years 1904 to 1925. It is a magnificent Edwardian extravagance built as the setting for garden parties and summer evening strolls. Afterwards we head across the heath to the beautifully and recently restored KENWOOD HOUSE (free entry), where we break for 30 minutes. After visiting Kenwood House we head back onto the heath before heading towards Highgate Wood and finishing at the Mossy Well pub in Muswell Hill.

This walk is FREE for holders of the Ken's Events Membership Card (see below). Otherwise there is a £5 fee for the walk.

Kenwood House (Free Entry) is a former stately home, in Hampstead, London, on the northern boundary of Hampstead Heath. It is managed by English Heritage.

Kenwood House, was remodelled and extended by the Scottish architect Robert Adam for William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield, from 1764 to 1779. The interiors designed by Adam include some of his finest surviving schemes, particularly the ‘Great Room’ or library. After Kenwood’s original contents were sold in 1922 the house and grounds were bought by Edward Cecil Guinness, 1st Earl of Iveagh, who in 1927 bequeathed his outstanding collection of paintings to the nation.

Kenwood House is best known for the many original masterpieces on display, including the following famous paintings;

Portrait of the Artist c.1665-Rembrandt van Rij.
The Guitar Player c.1672-Johannes Vermeer:
Mary, Countess Howe c.1764-Thomas Gainsborough:
Coast scene with Fishermen c.1803- Turner:
Old London Bridge 1630 -Claude de Jongh:
Anthony van Dyck - Princess Henrietta of Lorraine 1634:
The Angerstein Children c[masked] Sir Joshua Reynolds:

Meeting at Golders Green Station (Northern Line).

Finishing at the Mossy Well pub in Muswell Hill. which is a 15 minute walk or short bus ride to East Finchley Tube Station, Highgate Tube Station or Archway Tube Station (all on the Northern Line).

COST:This walk is FREE for holders of the Ken's Events Membership Card otherwise please note there is a £5 organisers charge for this meetup.

Route: This is a green/health walk, therefore it will be focused, where possible, on green open spaces and forested areas well away from busy streets and other members of the community.

Walk will be at a good pace and continuous with no stopping in order to maintain dispersal of walkers (NOT SUITABLE for slow walkers or those expecting a running commentary).

ll Ken's Events are subject to a disclaimer. Please click here (http://www.meetup.com/LONDON-MEETUP-SOCIAL-GROUP-KENS-EVENTS/pages/KEN%27S_EVENTS_DISCLAIMER/) to view disclaimer.

RISK WARNING FOR ALL WALKS: Dress appropriately for weather conditions with non-slip sturdy shoes and carry a bottle of water and necessary medication. You must be moderately fit for this walk and be able to walk for four miles without a break. In these walks we use; pavements, cross busy roads, public parkland, towpaths alongside water, rights of way, bridlepaths, country lanes and other established paths and tracks through woodland, bush and countryside. Please take care as surfaces may be muddy, slippery, uneven, tree roots may protrude, there may be low overhanging branches,stinging nettles, and some paths also have joggers, cyclists and even cars (country lanes). On occasion wild,domestic and farm animals may be encountered. If you require insurance for these walks then you must arrange this yourself.

Unfortunately no dogs and children are permitted on these walks.