Fireworks and the beautiful North Downs from Boxhill to Guildford
Details
This is a really fun day out and everyone had such a great time last year we are repeating the event again this year.
We already have 15 people signed up from our sister group Fun hikes so it's sure to be a great day.
We start the day with a great hike across the North Downs taking about 5-6 hours seeing all the lovely colour’s of Autumn with fabulous view in all directions. We should catch a the sunset at St Martha's Church before heading down into Guildford where we will have a quick bite to eat and a couple of drinks before we walk into the centre of town and take part in the Guildford’s Firework Fiesta. Last year we all bought torches and joined the procession through the Guildord to Stoke Park (about 1 Mile away) where there is a big firework display. See below for details of the Firework Fiesta.
https://www.visitsurrey.com/whats-on/guildford-firework-fiesta-2017-p1478191
This walk will follow a section of the famous Pilgrims way route from Winchester to Canterbury starting at Box Hill and Westhumble station. After a short walk we will climb onto the North Downs. We will continue on following the downs to Guildford a walk of about 5-6 hours at a steady pace.
After the hike, we want to stay in Guildford and join the torchlight procession and watch fireworks.
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Walk Highlights:
Denbies wine estate which is the largest vineyard in Britain, accounting for 10% of all vine plantings in the United Kingdom and is a major tourist attraction in its own right.
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Church of St Martha-on-the-Hill. St Martha's Church (also known as St Martha-on-the-Hill) is grade II listed by English Heritage and is only accessible by foot.
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From here look to the north across Surrey and on the horizon are Oxfordshire, Buckingham, Berkshire, Middlesex, and London. Turn south and there is the distant ridge of the South Downs of Sussex, beyond which is the sea. Looking west are Hampshire and Wiltshire.
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Once we arrive in Guildford we'll find a nice pub and join the torchlight procession at 7pm.
Hike info in a nutshell:
Start: The train leaves at 10:16 and will arrive at Boxhill and Westhumble station at 11:21. Please make sure to arrive early to be able to get group saver tickets. Please purchase a return ticket to Guildford if you are travelling independently.
Meeting Point: 09:30 In front of Upper Crust near platform 13
Distance: 19km (12 miles). We will allow approximately 5 hours for walking, depending upon the speed of the group and excluding any breaks.
What to wear: Appropriate walking clothes and footwear - ideally hiking boots as the path could be muddy in places. No trainers or jeans please.
Return Journey: There are regular trains from Guildford back to London (about six and hour when I checked). We cannot guarantee a return time though.
What to wear: Appropriate walking clothes and footwear - ideally hiking boots as the path could be muddy in places and rain gear.
Lunch: Water & a Packed lunch (please also bring at least 1 litre of water)
Toughness: 6 out of 10
IMPORTANT:
By signing up for this meetup with Fun Hikes you agree and acknowledge that you are personally responsible for your own fitness, safety and welfare and will be equipped accordingly. You further confirm that you have read, understood and agree to the Participation Statement (found here https://www.meetup.com/funhikes/about/ ( https://www.meetup.com/funhikes/about/ )) and to our Release and Waiver Terms and Conditions (found here https://www.meetup.com/funhikes/pages/21954149/Release_and_Waiver_Form/ ( https://www.meetup.com/funhikes/pages/21954149/Release_and_Waiver_Form/ )) together with any further reasonable instructions you are given before, during and after the Event.
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