Outdooraholics London, Hiking & Adventure Travel 25 to 49ish

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TRIP fully sold out, if anyone cannot attend they will post on the comments below. Everyone on the attending list is fully paid

If you've missed out we have a final few spaces on our Brecon Beacons trip in June:
https://www.meetup.com/outdooraholics/events/303098390

If by the time you read this that is also full, then our Snowdon trip in September currently has spaces too:
https://www.meetup.com/outdooraholics/events/304529316

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Join us for a trip to one of UK’s finest landscapes offering remote and tranquil moorland, spectacular coastlines, deep wooded valleys, high sea cliffs and crystal clear rivers. We have designed a great trip combining the very best of this spectacular region in 3 diverse and contrasting hikes taking in sea, hilly moorland, shady wooded valleys and the River Barle.

Dive into the enchanting and magical Exmoor whose landscapes are steeped in history, folklore and tradition spanning back to its days as an ancient royal hunting forest. This magnificent National Park is a true haven for wildlife and grand landscapes. Keep your eyes open for Exmoor ponies and the largest indigenous mammal in Britain - the Wild Red Deer, which often share the trails with us.

HIGHLIGHTS

The beauty of Box Hill has inspired many great artists, writers and musicians for hundreds of years. Jane Austen based the picnic scene from ''Emma'' here, George Lambert's famous painting of Box Hill in 1733 (now in the Tate Gallery) and it's even had several songs written about it, the most recent being ''On Box Hill'' by Everything But the Girl. It also inspired the poet Keats and the writer G.K. Chesterton. Come and discover the magic of Box Hill for yourself and see why it’s attracted and inspired so many famous creatives for centuries.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike along the stunning Surrey Hills (422 km²) - a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which covers one quarter of the county of Surrey
• See the famous Box Hill viewpoint with far reaching views over Surrey and Sussex
• Enjoy breathtaking hiking through the woods and hills of the North Downs
• Visit Denbies - England's largest vineyard, which has won international wine awards
• See the twisting hill roads of the 2012 Olympics cycle race where the cyclists did 9 laps of this spectacular section

HIKE DESCRIPTION

Box Hill is located on the North Downs and lies within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is also part of the Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment Site of Special Scientific Interest. As well as its natural beauty, Box Hill also plays host to a more recent fort built in the 1890s to help defend England from a possible French invasion and a semi derelict folly tower from 1815.

This is a diverse hike through the captivating Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty taking in woodland, rolling downs, Norbury Park, and the River Mole. Let’s not forget the icing on the cake - Box Hill itself and the unique Salomons Memorial offering some stunning views across the Weald to Devils Dyke by the South Coast. We also cross the famous Stepping Stones over the River Mole and we hike through Denbies - England's largest Vineyard that won Gold in the IWC best Rose wine in the world in 2010.

MEETING POINT

Come and join us for what is our most popular day hike and the most exhilarating coastal hike in the South East of England, with breathtaking views of the striking and dramatic white cliffs. A good proportion of the hike is up high on the cliffs as they loom down over the sea beneath. We're off to Sussex to hike the classic Seven Sisters hike from Seaford to Eastbourne, a hike Outdooraholics have been organising for nearly 11 years and have had over 130 wonderful trips here. It is epic!

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike one of the most spectacular coastal hikes in England
• A great physical challenge with several easy options to shorten if needed
• Enjoy amazing views over the coastline for much of this hike
• Finish in Eastbourne - England's sunniest town
• Explore the South Downs National Park - the newest in the UK

HIKE DESCRIPTION

This hike treats us with many iconic views and fresh sea air high up on the cliffs. The Seven Sisters are a series of white chalk cliffs and are set within the Seven Sisters Country Park. They are remnants of dry valleys in the South Downs and were formed at the end of the last Ice Age by glacial meltwater. There are in fact now eight sisters as an extra one has been created by coastal erosion.

Our hike starts in the coastal town of Seaford which is home to a Martello Tower from 1810 which formed part of a string of 103 towers to defend against French invasion in Napoleonic times. It then follows the cliffs along the South Downs way past Birling Gap and the Belle Tout lighthouse. The lighthouse was actually moved 17 metres in 1999 to stop it from falling victim to coastal erosion. Our hike shall then take us on to the beauty spot of Beachy Head which has a more sinister side, before we head to Eastbourne for some refreshments in a delightful pub.

MEETING POINT

Come and join us along this enchanting trail in the South Downs, a spectacular walk that combines breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and the charm of Sussex. This trail takes us through the stunning South Downs National Park, where we will traverse three majestic ridges as high as 191 metres and each offering panoramic views stretching all the way to the sea. As we hike along the unique white chalk paths, we'll discover the dramatic beauty shaped by glaciers during the last Ice Age, along with lush river valleys that add to the scenic allure of this remarkable region.

Along the way we will soak in the captivating landscapes of Britain’s newest National Park, visit the ancient Iron Age hill fort at Mount Caburn, and walk along the South Downs Way – a renowned National Trail steeped in history. Passing through lush meadows and open fields, we will discover picturesque villages like Glynde - home to the famous Glyndebourne Opera House and Southease, home to an Anglo-Saxon church with a unique round tower. This circular route offers a perfect blend of history, discovery, and serenity. After the hike we'll return to the attractive and ancient market town of Lewes.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through South Downs National Park, Britain’s newest and most visited national park
• Spectacular elevated hike on the high ridges of the South Downs
• Distant coastal views including of the Seven Sisters cliffs
• Visit Mount Caburn - a 2500 year old Iron Age Hill Fort site
• Cross the Greenwich Meridian line separating the Eastern and Western Hemispheres
• Hike through dramatic Glacial “dry valleys” shaped by the last Ice Age
• Hike part of the famous South Downs Way National Park
• Free time to explore the historic market town of Lewes, set on the Greenwich Meridian
• Walk by Southease Church, with its unique round tower and Anglo-Saxon origins

HIKE DESCRIPTION

The hike begins in the heart of Lewes, a charming market town brimming with history and culture. Situated on the Greenwich Meridian, Lewes boasts medieval streets, an 11th-century castle, and a rich tapestry of stories from its past. Setting off, we cross the serene River Ouse and ascend into the South Downs National Park, an expansive area of chalk grasslands and rolling hills.

Our trail leads to Mount Caburn, a 146-meter-high hill crowned by an Iron Age hill fort dating back to 400 BC. Here we'll uncover remnants of ancient ditches and burial pits reminding us of those who walked these hills long before us. We take the time to admire the sweeping views across the downs and toward the distant coastline.

Continuing along the South Downs Way, the first bridleway National Trail, we walk paths that have connected communities for thousands of years. This chalk ridge offers unparalleled vistas, with glimpses of the Seven Sisters cliffs and the sea.

As we descend into the Ouse valley, we pass through the village of Rodmell, where Virginia Woolf lived at Monk’s House. Here we take time to reflect on her literary legacy as we cross the tranquil footbridge of the River Ouse where her lifetime story ended abruptly.

Passing through the tiny village of Southease, we pause to admire its rare round-towered church, a remarkable remnant of Anglo-Saxon heritage. From here, the journey loops back to Lewes, renowned for its vibrant culture and dramatic bonfire celebrations.

MEETING POINT