Chiltern Explorers - Hikes, Walking Weekends, Socials

Walk length 11.5 miles/18km approx. Circular.

A chance to explore a small section of the river Stour and the small hamlet of Flatford across to Dedham Mill over an area made famous by the painter John Constable during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The walk starts from Manningtree Station and follows a circular route stopping off at the 16th century Bridge Cottage at Flatford which is owned by the National Trust and has a free exhibition on Constable and his paintings, there is also a tea room.

John Constable was born in Suffolk and is famous for his landscape paintings, many in the areas of Flatford and East Bergholt where he was born.

The walk uses parts of the Stour Valley and St Edmund Way paths along the picturesque Stour River.

This walk is largely flat along the river but does contain some gradients.
Please bring a pack lunch and water for the walk. We will have an early lunch stop close to the visitor center and tea shop at Flatford Mill. We walk past the locations of many of his paintings.

The walk should finish about 5.30pm however the time could be earlier or later than this depending on the weather and pace of the group (you are advised not to book definite plans for the evening, this is a complete day out).

Cost: £7 cash payable on the day (guided walk & meetup costs. You can do paypal colin45@hotmail.co.uk, please send as friends and family to avoid charges, for bank transfer please message the organizer.

Transport and meeting please read..

The 10.30am train from London Liverpool Street arrives at Manningtree at 11.25am (we can have an early lunch close to the visitor centre). If you want to meet for any group saves meet from 10.00am close to Macdonalds (see photo below).

If driving meet outside Mainningtree Station for the walk to start at 11.25am after the train from London arrives, the car park charges approx £7.

Train cost approx £24 return with a network railcard or groups save.

Please make a note of the organizers numbers - Colin 07709305681..

Walking Safety

Walking is a great way to keep fit and generally very safe; however it does contain an element of risk. Before going on any of these walks you need to be reasonably fit and be prepared to be responsible for your own safety. You should wear appropriate clothing such as proper walking shoes, warm and wet weather clothing and carry sufficient food and water. Please see our Terms and Conditions (https://www.meetup.com/Chiltern-Explorers/pages/Terms_and_Conditions/)

COULD EVERYONE PLEASE AVOID COMMENTS BELOW THAT ARE NOT SPECIFIC TO THE EVENT AS THIS GENERATES SPAM, JUST CHANGE YOUR RSVP IF YOU CAN'T GO. YOU CAN MESSAGE ME. MANY THANKS.

Walk length 12miles/19km approx or 6miles/10km approx (Circular).

A hike exploring a number of parks, woods, nature reserves, rivers and canals close to the town of Watford.

The hike goes though Whippendell Wood, Harrocks Wood and Croxley Common all designated sites of Special Scientific Interest and Nature Conservation. Sections of both the Chess Valley Walk and the Grand Union Canal and Cassiobury Park.

The halfway point and lunch stop for this hike will be Cassiobury Park at Watford that has a visitor centre. The hike starts from the small Chess Valley town of Rickmansworth which also has access to national rail and underground services.

The hike is largely flat but does have some gradients up to Wippendell and Harrocks Wood.

Cost

Walk Cost: £7 cash on the day organizer fee. For paypal it is 'colin45@hotmail.co.uk' Please send as friends and family to avoid charges. For bank transfer message organizer.

Meeting

At London meet from 10.30am close to the Ticket office at London Marylebone for groups saves (see photo below). The organizer is not getting the train for this hike but will meet you at Rickmansworth.

The 10.57am train from London Marylebone gets to Rickmansworth for 11.19am.
Meet outside the main entrance to Rickmansworth Station for the hike to start at 11.20am after the train from London arrives. This is a circular hike finishing back at Rickmansworth where we can get some optional drinks.

You can use Oyster or pay as you go for Watford Junction. Return is £12 approx. with a railcard or groupsave discount.

Rickmansworth is on the underground so you could use that service instead.

Car: Parking near Rickmansworth station. Side roads close to the station may be free on a Sunday, please check for restrictions and allow time to park.

The walk should finish at about 4.30pm including a snack lunch stop and optional pub stop at the end , however the time may be earlier or later than this depending on the weather and pace.

Please make a note of the organizers number Colin 07709305681

Walking Safety

Walking is a great way to keep fit and generally very safe; however it does contain an element of risk. Before going on any of these walks you need to be reasonably fit and be prepared to be responsible for your own safety. You should wear appropriate clothing such as proper walking boots, warm and wet weather clothing and carry sufficient food and water. Please see our Terms and Conditions (https://www.meetup.com/Chiltern-Explorers/pages/Terms_and_Conditions/)

COULD EVERYONE PLEASE AVOID COMMENTS BELOW THAT ARE NOT SPECIFIC TO THE EVENT AS THIS GENERATES SPAM, JUST CHANGE YOUR RSVP IF YOU CAN'T GO. YOU CAN MESSAGE ME. MANY THANKS.