FREE Outdoor Trips From London

Hobbes is back in fashion. People hanker for a Leviathan. Better to be more careful what is wished for.

The only way is Essex😊 which your senses will tell you after this walk to one of the philosophical greatest of all time (and he's not Hobbes). Hidden in a rural Essex idyll, where else?

Along the way, the idyllic hamlet of Matching is the suitably named location for a Medieval marriage feasting hall, dating from AD 1480. Next to a Norman church. And after sandwiches on the village green at Matching Green is the Chequers Inn.

TRAVEL: Take the 10.28 train from LONDON LIVERPOOL STREET to HARLOW MILL. Walk starts 11.06 from Harlow Mill station where the organizer will meet the group. Circular walk. Buy an off peak day return to HARLOW MILL which is £13.15 with Groupsave or a Network card.

How to join?

• The walk is entirely free of charge;
• You only arrange for your own travel and pub expenses;
• Understand our terms and conditions below (the "IMPORTANT" part);
• Understand how to stay safe outdoors, as you will be responsible for yourself. See our quick safety tips:

https://www.meetup.com/Free-Outdoor-Trips-From-London/about/

Feel free to ask any questions in the comments section!

IMPORTANT

Please bear in mind this is a free of charge, self-guided trip with a hobby group. It is not organized by a business nor any entity with commercial purposes.

Any trip details, travel advice, route planning, instructions and other content in our group merely represent our shared personal knowledge, research and suggestions as outdoor enthusiasts. As this is no business, there is no "product", "service" or "package" and also no "tour guide", "operator" or "walk leader".

Each participant is responsible for their own safety. Even if some of us are very experienced walking outdoors, nobody assumes responsibility for any kind of injury, damage or loss that may happen.

Despite this, we take extreme precautions and all trips we plan are very safe, fun, highly educational and popular. Our experienced members volunteer their time and effort to shape a pleasant and quality adventure for everyone :-)

By participating you acknowledge and agree with this disclaimer.

Here are our tips on staying safe during outdoor trips:

https://www.meetup.com/Free-Outdoor-Trips-From-London/about/

TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION, INSURANCE

Although we provide detailed suggestions, each participant is expected to arrange their own travel and (if required) accommodation - this gives everyone the freedom and choice to join from wherever they want and stay wherever they want. Anyone interested in travel or outdoor insurance should also arrange this on their own. As mentioned above we always take extreme precautions, but some people may still feel safer if covered.

We advise not to buy tickets until the day. People getting tickets from the same station are encouraged to meet early on the day to benefit from discounts such as GroupSave.

"THY Forest, Windsor! and thy green Retreats,
At once the Monarch's and the Muse's Seats,
Invite my Lays. Be present, Sylvan Maids!
Unlock your Springs, and open all your Shades."
Alexander Pope

One will be amused by the resplendent flowers of the Valley Gardens 🌺On the anniversary of Victoria's birth in 1819, this walk will also visit spots which have connections to the Queen.

Victoria was seven when first introduced to her predecessor George IV, while staying at Cumberland Lodge in the great park, joining carriage rides and taken to hear 'Uncle King's band' in the conservatory at nearby Royal Lodge.

No carriage rides for us, instead an afternoon pub stop followed by a woodland trail or compass bearing across country return to Windsor.

TRAVEL: Take the 10.08 train from London Paddington changing at Slough to WINDSOR & ETON CENTRAL. Walk starts 10.40 am from Windsor & Eton Central station. Circular walk.

The organiser will be standing from 9.30 am in front of the ticket office at Paddington to act as a focal point for people to arrange Groupsave tickets.

Buy an off peak day return to WINDSOR & ETON CENTRAL £10.15 with Groupsave or a Network card.

(Alternative travel for South West London people - the 9.33 from Waterloo arrives at Windsor & Eton Riverside at 10.26, then walk 5 minutes to Windsor & Eton Central)

How to join?

• The walk is entirely free of charge;
• You only arrange for your own travel and pub expenses;
• Understand our terms and conditions below (the "IMPORTANT" part);
• Understand how to stay safe outdoors, as you will be responsible for yourself. See our quick safety tips:
  https://www.meetup.com/Free-Outdoor-Trips-From-London/about/

Feel free to ask any questions in the comments section!

IMPORTANT
Please bear in mind this is a free of charge, self-guided trip with a hobby group. It is not organized by a business nor any entity with commercial purposes.
Any trip details, travel advice, route planning, instructions and other content in our group merely represent our shared personal knowledge, research and suggestions as outdoor enthusiasts. As this is no business, there is no "product", "service" or "package" and also no "tour guide", "operator" or "walk leader".
Each participant is responsible for their own safety. Even if some of us are very experienced walking outdoors, nobody assumes responsibility for any kind of injury, damage or loss that may happen.
Despite this, we take extreme precautions and all trips we plan are very safe, fun, highly educational and popular. Our experienced members volunteer their time and effort to shape a pleasant and quality adventure for everyone :-)
By participating you acknowledge and agree with this disclaimer.

Here are our tips on staying safe during outdoor trips:
https://www.meetup.com/Free-Outdoor-Trips-From-London/about/

TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION, INSURANCE
Although we provide detailed suggestions, each participant is expected to arrange their own travel and (if required) accommodation - this gives everyone the freedom and choice to join from wherever they want and stay wherever they want. Anyone interested in travel or outdoor insurance should also arrange this on their own. As mentioned above we always take extreme precautions, but some people may still feel safer if covered.
We advise not to buy tickets until the day. People getting tickets from the same station are encouraged to meet early on the day to benefit from discounts such as GroupSave.

When crowning Europe's champions league of heights, the alpine orogeny while creating the Alps, was also gently leaving its tectonic touch as far away as the landscape north of London. Among its furthest reaches sit remote hamlets overlooking more populous plains.

Surrounded by well drained soil and higher sanctuary, these settlements date back beyond history. Neolithic flints were traded along the path we'll follow. At lunch, Chesterford's name speaks of its Roman castrum origin. Parts of the doorway at Wendens Ambo may have found their way there from its castrum.

But the oldest door will be before lunch. Dated to 1034-1042 AD, this is the oldest working door in the country, so step inside with care.

Dating from 1576, The Bell in Wendens Ambo is a youngster by comparison.

TRAVEL
Take the 09:28 from Liverpool Street to GREAT CHESTERFORD (also calls at Tottenham Hale 09:40).
Walk starts Great Chesterford 10:40, where the organiser will meet you. Walk ends at AUDLEY END, from where there are hourly trains back to London.
From Liverpool Street an off-peak day return to the farthest station on the walk Great Chesterford is £16.55 with a Network card or Groupsave
However (from Liverpool St only) if you buy an off-peak day return to Cambridge (which is further still along the train line) it is only £12.55 with Network Railcard or Groupsave - don't forget to alight the train at Great Chesterford

How to join?

• The walk is entirely free of charge;
• You only arrange for your own travel and pub expenses;
• Understand our terms and conditions below (the "IMPORTANT" part);
• Understand how to stay safe outdoors, as you will be responsible for yourself. See our quick safety tips:
  https://www.meetup.com/Free-Outdoor-Trips-From-London/about/
• What to bring
• Plenty of water, 1-2 litres recommended
• Enough snacks and packed lunch to keep you energized along the walk
• Extra snacks and an extra packed lunch just in case
• Rainproof (ideally waterproof) clothing, sturdy shoes/boots you don't mind getting muddy
• Spare socks
• Walking poles and/or an umbrella :-)
• Yourself...
• ...and your camera!
• Cash for train ticket
• Cash for pub at the end of the walk?

Feel free to ask any questions in the comments section!

IMPORTANT
Please bear in mind this is a free of charge, self-guided trip with a hobby group. It is not organized by a business nor any entity with commercial purposes.
Any trip details, travel advice, route planning, instructions and other content in our group merely represent our shared personal knowledge, research and suggestions as outdoor enthusiasts. As this is no business, there is no "product", "service" or "package" and also no "tour guide", "operator" or "walk leader".
Each participant is responsible for their own safety. Even if some of us are very experienced walking outdoors, nobody assumes responsibility for any kind of injury, damage or loss that may happen.
By participating you acknowledge and agree with this disclaimer.

Here are our tips on staying safe during outdoor trips:
https://www.meetup.com/Free-Outdoor-Trips-From-London/about/

TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION, INSURANCE
Although we provide detailed suggestions, each participant is expected to arrange their own travel - this gives everyone the freedom and choice. Anyone interested in travel or outdoor insurance should also arrange this on their own. As mentioned above we always take extreme precautions, but some people may still feel safer if covered.
As most of our trips are confirmed or postponed very close to the event date - heavily depending on the weather forecasts - we advise not to buy this until the last minute. People getting tickets from the same station are encouraged to meet early on the day to benefit from discounts such as GroupSave.