Harlington, Barton and the Clappers

HIGHLIGHTS

• Beautiful woodland
• Sundon Hills Country Park
• National Trust Sharpenhoe Clappers
• Barton Hills Nature Reserve
• Site of Special Scientific Interest & Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• Visit a local pub for a drink before heading home

DESCRIPTION
We commence our hike from Harlington train station heading into the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and site of special scientific interest, first through Sundon Hills Country Park offering great views of the Bedfordshire countryside with its interesting topography formed during the last ice age. We continue into the National Trust site, Sharpenhoe Clappers, crowned with a lovely beech wood and traces of an Iron Age hill-fort - rumoured to be haunted by a Celtic chief who was a thorn in the side of Roman invaders. The site was passed to the National Trust in memory of two brothers Norman & Laurance Robinson who were both killed in action during the First World War.

From here we'll traverse along the Chiltern Way to Barton Hills National Nature Reserve, the chalk grassland provides specialised habitats for rare plant species and a wide range of butterfly species. The hills offer wonderful views and are home to a number of Dartmoor Ponies.

We continue through the village of Barton-Le-Clay before heading back to Harlington where we'll head to a cosy pub for a drink before heading home.

WHAT TO EXPECT - HIKING INFO
Distance: 24-25km (c.15 miles) circular route
Ascent: c.400 metres
Estimated Duration (approx): 5-6 hours walking
Difficulty: Energetic

PROGRAMME
Meetup Point: Harlington Train Station - outside the front
Meetup Time: 09:40

Recommended train: Open Return from London Pancras to Harlington.
Departing at 08:51 arriving at Harlington 09:36.
Feel free to use the event chat to arrange group saver tickets.

It is impossible to promise a specified finish train and time, but we aim to be back in London by 19:00

HIKE INCLUDES

• Guided Hike planned and led by experienced AAA leaders, trained Summer Mountain Leader with Wilderness First Aid Training
• PayPal fees

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Travel costs
• Lunch, drinks or any refreshments
• Souvenirs
• Entrance fees to any attractions you wish to visit

RECOMMENDED KIT LIST (full list)

• Suitable hiking shoes or boots
• Waterproof jacket and trousers (Please no jeans!)
• Water [2L recommended]
• Warm/Windproof layer e.g. Down/Primaloft/Fleece
• Wicking base layer e.g. Polyester/Tencil/Merino
• Camera & Phone
• Picnic lunch and snacks

CANCELLING
If your plans change please update your RSVP ‘No’. Others can then take advantage of the newly available place.

If the hike is full please email info@aaalondongroup.com after the event and request a refund, less the PayPal fees. You must provide your email for the PayPal account and transaction reference.

If you have any other questions, please check out our FAQ page, if you are still unsure contact the event organiser.

We have operated over 1000 events in the last ten years that have been free of major incidents. We have achieved this via meticulous planning. All participants (members and their guests) in any AAA Hiking event or activity are personally responsible for their own fitness, safety and welfare and must be equipped accordingly. If you have signed up for the event you acknowledge and accept the AAA London Group Terms and Conditions.

© AAA London Group Ltd. Errors and Omissions Excepted