
What we’re about
We're raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH). We love the countryside and if by hiking we can help others, then we'll benefit and so will the kids.
All profits will go to charity. Hikers will pay a small fee for the day hike and we'll then deduct Meetup and PayPal fees - the rest will go GOSH.
So, if you love hiking at the weekend and would enjoy the extra feel-good factor of knowing your fee went to a good cause, then please sign up. You'll meet other sociable hikers too.
And if you'd like to lead a hike for us, please do get in touch.
Before coming on a hike, please read the important bits below :)
Our FAQs
Our important legal bits
Our what to wear and take guide (fashionistas look away)
Here’s some examples of where your money goes:
• £10 for a genetic test to diagnose rare diseases.
• £20 to pay for an hour of research time with a world leading scientist.
• £50 to cover the cost of one night’s stay for parents and their families.
• And help fund the planned world-class Children’s Cancer Centre.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Weekend walking with the Seven SistersReading Central railway station, ReadingGBP 5.00
Tell me more
Join us for the weekend with some classic walking.If you are planning to join us on Saturday only please sign up for the event - 'The iconic Seven Sisters and Beachy Head'. We will join another group to do this walk on Saturday.
When does this event start & finish
The full event starts on 23rd May and finishes on 25th May 2025.What are we doing
This is primarily a walking weekend. We need to have some flexibility to cater for prevailing weather conditions and group ability.
Our itinerary includes the following:
Friday- Travel in our 7 seater vehicle from Reading to Eastbourne.
- Walk up to 10km in the South Downs.
- Overnight in Eastbourne.
Saturday
- Short bus or train journey to Seaford to meet others.
- Full day walking from Seaford to Eastbourne.
- Overnight in Eastbourne.
Sunday
- Walk between 10km & 20km in the South Downs with Sunday lunch in a pub.
- Travel in our 7 seater vehicle from Eastbourne to Reading.
Travel arrangements
You are welcome to travel in our 7 seater vehicle by arrangement.
You can make your own travel arrangements & meet us at our accommodation or at other locations by arrangement.Accommodation
We will share details of our accommodation.
You should book your own accommodation to suit your requirements.
If you are traveling with us it will be more convenient for you to stay nearby to reduce your journey time to meet us in the mornings.
Our accommodation includes two nights in hotel accommodation in Eastbourne.Hop in and drop out
If you plan to hop in and drop out we will provide you with our itinerary for the days you will be joining us.Costs
- Fuel & parking costs are shared equally between those that reserve a seat in our seven seater vehicle.
- Public transport between Eastbourne & Seaford paid by you direct.
- You pay for your own accommodation & separate travel arrangements.
- Pay as you go for, food, drinks, personal expenses etc.
- We ask for a £5 donation for GOSH Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.
The organisers plan this event for the enjoyment of the participants and to raise money for charity, not for profit.
How do I secure a place on this trip?
- Just sign up to this event on Meetup.
- We will message you to confirm details.
- Book a seat in our vehicle or make your own travel arrangements.
- Book your accommodation.
- Pay £5 donation to GOSH.
Important information (this event)
- You must wear suitable footwear and hiking clothes for the planned walks. If you are well prepared it should be a very rewarding experience.
- If you are not sure about suitable footwear or clothes or your ability to do the walks please discuss with Carl R in advance so that you can make a considered decision.
- Participants must take full responsibility for their own welfare and safety.
- You sign up for and attend our activities at your own risk.
- This Meetup group does not have insurances to cover your activity.
- Please do not attend if you do not feel confident to walk on all types of surfaces with steep inclines.
Need more information about this event?
Please message Carl R if you need additional information.
If you sign up for this event you will be added to a WhatsApp group.KEY INFORMATION (All events)
YOU MUST READ THE THREE SECTIONS BELOW - if you join this trip, you're confirming that you have.- The perilous bit.
- Our FAQs, including an explanation of Groupsave tickets which will save you money.
- See here for what to wear and take
AND FINALLY
- We're raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children
We’ll deduct Meetup fees but all the profits will go to GOSH. After each hike, we’ll let you know exactly how much we’ve all raised. And if you’d like to join us and raise money by leading some hikes, please get in touch – the more the merrier 😊
- We're volunteers hoping to establish a community of friends, so please go with the flow and help out where and if you can.
- If you need to get in touch on the day, you can call Colin on 07941 646 035 or Carl on 07503 237 375 or message on Meetup.
- The iconic Seven Sisters and Beachy Head ~ 22km/14 milesSeaford Station, SeafordGBP 5.00
Do this walk because - it's an absolute classic and has to be done. Enjoy the challenge.
Hike facts
Approximately 22km / 14 miles.
Duration: actual walking time for the full hike, circa 7 hours.
Hike grade: strenuous, with a total ascent exceeding 600m.
Weather: see Eastbourne - BBC Weather
Donation to GOSH: £5 cash on the day
What to take: a packed lunch and plenty of water.We're not insured, so please have your own insurance for this type of event.
Walk description
From Seaford railway station we'll walk along the seafront and The South Downs Way to traverse a series of dramatic chalk cliffs, called the Seven Sisters. We’ll enjoy fabulous views on one of the best coastal walks in the United Kingdom.
After multiple ups and downs over grassy clifftops we'll take a well earned break at Birling Gap. There are public toilets here.
Rested, we'll set our sights on the famous headland Beachy Head and look forward to another short break to take in the view.
A little later, we'll enjoy our descent to Eastbourne and a gentle finale along Eastbourne's promenade to seek a local pub for a beer or two before we head home 😊.
We're doing this hike with Variety is the Spice Meetup Group
Meeting at
Seaford railway station. We'll be outside the station exit holding a GOSH banner, please see the photo below. Meeting time: 10.20 am, we'll leave at 10.30 am.TRAVEL
by train
Get a return to Seaford. It costs £37.30 but with a Network Railcard or Groupsave it's £24.40. Getting back, we'll need to buy a single from Eastbourne to Lewes from where we can use our Return ticket back to London. That costs £10.40 but we can get Groupsave at £6.90.1. Getting there - London Victoria to Seaford. Get the 8.54 am arriving 10.19 am.
2. Coming back - Eastbourne to London Victoria: there are two trains an hour.Plan your route here: Trainline
by car
There are car parks at Seaford & Eastbourne.
The 12x Coaster Bus travels between Seaford & Eastbourne Journey planner - Brighton & Hove Buses.KEY INFORMATION
YOU MUST READ THE THREE SECTIONS BELOW - if you join this trip, you're confirming that you have.- The perilous bit.
- Our FAQs, including an explanation of Groupsave tickets which will save you money.
- See here for what to wear and take
AND FINALLY
- We're raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children
We’ll deduct Meetup fees but all the profits will go to GOSH. After each hike, we’ll let you know exactly how much we’ve all raised. And if you’d like to join us and raise money by leading some hikes, please get in touch – the more the merrier 😊
- We're volunteers hoping to establish a community of friends, so please go with the flow and help out where and if you can.
- If you need to get in touch on the day, you can call Colin on 07941 646 035 or Carl on 07503 237 375 or message on Meetup.
- A Walk in the Black ForestReading Central railway station, Reading
Updated on 5 March 2025
Tell me more
Join us for some classic and varied walks in the beautifully scenic Black Forest.Hop in and drop out to suit yourself.
When does this event start & finish
The trip starts on 2nd June and finishes on 7th June 2025.If you wish to extend your holiday you could join us on the continuation trip, posted as a separate event, called ''Spectacular walks and magnificent cities'
What are we doing
This is primarily a walking holiday with time to look around the spa town of Baden Baden Visit Baden-Baden [Germany] and Freiburg Welcome to FreiburgWe need to have some flexibility to cater for prevailing weather conditions and group ability, however our plan includes some great walking options.
Travel arrangements
You can make your own travel arrangements or contact Carl R if you would like to travel in his 7 seater vehicle. This can be pre paid & booked to secure you place or pay as you go, subject to seat availability.Accommodation
We will share details of accommodation booked.
You should book your own accommodation to suit your requirements.
If you are traveling with us it will be more convenient for you to stay nearby to reduce your journey time to meet us in the mornings.Our itinerary includes overnight stays as follows:
- Luxembourg (1night). Arrive 2 June, depart 3 June
- Baden Baden (2 nights). Arrive 3 June, depart 5 June
- Freiburg (2 nights). Arrive 5 June, depart 7 June.
Hop in and drop out
If you plan to hop in and drop out we will provide you with our accommodation location & planned start time for the days you will be joining us.If you wish to fly or train from UK to join us, the following may be good locations to meet up:
- Luxembourg on 2nd or 3rd June
- Baden Baden on 3rd or 4th June
- Freiburg on 5th June
Costs
Transport in our 7 seat vehicle is charged as follows and subject to availability:- Pay as you go – £35 per day.
- Pre-pay and pre-book for a minimum of 3 consecutive days with dates specified - £30 per day.
The above charges cover the cost of Eurotunnel, tolls, fuel, car parks etc.
The organisers plan this holiday for the enjoyment of the participants and to raise money for charity, not for profit.
We ask for a £5 donation for GOSH Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.
You pay for your own accommodation direct. Pay as you go for, food, drinks, personal expenses etc.
How do I secure a place on this trip?
- Just sign up to this Meetup.
- We will message you to confirm availability and options.
- Book your accommodation & transport. Let Carl R have details.
- A £10 deposit is required to reserve a seat in our car. The balance will be due on 14 April. We will use WhatsApp for communication.
- Pay £5 donation to GOSH.
Important information
- You must wear suitable footwear and hiking clothes for the planned walks. If you are well prepared it should be a very rewarding experience.
- If you are not sure about suitable footwear or clothes or your ability to do these walks please discuss with Carl R in advance so that you can make a considered decision.
- Participants must take full responsibility for their own welfare and safety.
- You sign up for and attend our activities at your own risk.
- This Meetup group does not have insurances to cover your activity.
- Please do not attend if you do not feel confident to walk on all types of surfaces with steep inclines.
Finally
Please message Carl R if you need additional information.
If you sign up for this trip you will be added to a WhatsApp group. - Spectacular walks and magnificent citiesHotel de Chailly , Montreux
Tell me more
Updated on 3 March 2025 (updates in italics)Join us for some spectacular walks and exciting city breaks in Europe.
Hop in and drop out of this multi location trip to suit yourself.
Our adventure takes us from Switzerland, Germany,
Luxembourg and Belgium before returning to UK.When does this event start & finish
The trip starts on 7th June and finishes on 20th June 2025.This trip is a continuation of another trip ('A Walk In The Black Forest') & you are welcome to hop in or drop out of one or both.
What are we doing
This is primarily a walking trip with city breaks, however you are free to skip any walks if you have other plans.We need to have some flexibility to cater for prevailing weather conditions and group ability, however our plan includes a varied combination of some great walking, interspersed with exciting city breaks.
Travel arrangements
You can make your own travel arrangements or contact Carl R if you would like to travel in his 7 seater vehicle. This can be pre paid & booked to secure you place or pay as you go, subject to seat availability.Accommodation
We will share details of accommodation booked.You should book your own accommodation to suit your requirements.
If you are traveling with us it will be more convenient for you to stay nearby to reduce your journey time to meet us in the mornings.
Our itinerary includes overnight stays at, or within easy reach of, the following:
- Montreux (2 nights)
- Spiez (3 nights)
- Lucerne (2 nights)
- Basel (1 night)
- Strasbourg (2 nights)
- Luxemburg (2 nights)
- Brussels (1 night)
We also plan to stop for a few hours in the lovely cities of Bern & Freiburg.
Hop in and drop out
If you plan to hop in and drop out we will provide you with our accommodation location & planned start time for the days you will be joining us.If you wish to fly or train from UK to join us, the following locations have good transport links:
- Geneva for joining us in Montreux on 7th or 8th
- Basel for joining or leaving us on 15th
- Strasbourg for joining or leaving us on 15th or 17th
- Luxembourg for joining or leaving us on 17th or 19th
- Brussels for leaving us on 20th
Costs
Transport in our 7 seat vehicle is charged as follows and subject to availability:- Pay as you go – £35 per day.
- Pre-pay and pre-book for a minimum of 3 consecutive days with dates specified. The first 3 days are charged at £30 per day.
- Pre-pay and pre-book for more than 3 continuous days - £29 for the fourth day; reducing by £1 per day for longer bookings. The maximum charge is £250 which would entitle you to travel in our car for the full duration of your holiday.
The above daily charges cover the cost of Eurotunnel, tolls, fuel, car parks etc.
The organisers plan this holiday for the enjoyment of the participants and to raise money for charity, not for profit.
We ask for a £5 donation for GOSH Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.
You pay for your own accommodation direct. Pay as you go for, food, drinks, personal expenses etc.
How do I secure a place on this trip?
- Just sign up to this Meetup.
- We will message you to confirm availability and options.
- Book your accommodation & transport. Let Carl R have details.
- A £10 deposit is required to reserve a seat in our car. The balance will be due on 14 April. We will use WhatsApp for communication.
- Pay £5 donation to GOSH.
Important information
- You must wear suitable footwear and hiking clothes for the planned walks. If you are well prepared it should be a very rewarding experience.
- If you are not sure about suitable footwear or clothes or your ability to do these walks please discuss with Carl R in advance so that you can make a considered decision.
- Participants must take full responsibility for their own welfare and safety.
- You sign up for and attend our activities at your own risk.
- This Meetup group does not have insurances to cover your activity.
- Please do not attend if you do not feel confident to walk on all types of surfaces with steep inclines.
Finally
Please message Carl R if you need additional information.
If you sign up for this trip you will be added to a WhatsApp group.