What we’re about
A Newbury based group walking in local areas.
Upcoming walks in planning for North Hampshire, Bagnor & Snelsmore Common, Kintbury area & Coombe Gibbet area.
Key elements for me are that the start points are mostly accessible by public transport and that there is a refreshment stop for those who want it.
Suggestions for walks would be very welcome.
Other people to lead walks, or to co-lead, would be very welcome.
Try it, you might like it !
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Greenham & Crookham Commons – circular walkThatcham Railway Station, RG19 4PPGBP 4.00
Recently revisiting Greenham after many years, I found this easy, flat walk pleasant and interesting and hope you will too 😊. Some things to see are great views from the control tower, some wooded areas, wild flowers, heathland, grassland, sometimes foxes, butterflies, sometimes cattle and various Cold War debris.
Meeting place: Thatcham Train Station car park (uses Apcoa app).
Start time: 10:30 am
Distance: approximately 7 + miles.
Time walking: approximately 2.5 – 3 hours + time at control tower café.
Conditions: Please wear comfortable clothes and stout footwear suitable for the weather and outdoor terrain.
Refreshments: Bring a packed lunch or some snacks which we can have at the control tower café about two thirds along in the walk; it has ample seating inside and out and small exhibitions by Newbury Creative Stitchers and about the former military air base and Peace Camp.
Risk: We walk at our own risk. Please always carry written contact details of who to contact in case of emergency.
Dogs: Welcome on lead.
Costs: £4, payable at the beginning of the walk, to help towards the cost of using Meetup software. Thank you.
NB. If you would like to organise a walk or event, lead a walk, suggest a walk or ask a question, please don’t hesitate to direct message me.
Follow for more. - Chinnor Steam train, Sunday lunch and walk ~ 9km/6 milesNeeds location
This lovely event is provided by Variety is the Spice meetup group and is an opportunity to meet new friends, as follows:
Join us for a nostalgic day out with a steam train journey, Sunday lunch and walk in beautiful countryside.
Timetable
All meet at Princes Risborough station, Station Approach, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, HP27 9DN, at 11am.
If you need a lift from Reading railway station to Princes Risborough, please contact Carl at Variety is the Spice meetup group to reserve a seat in his 7-seater vehicle; the departure from reading will be 10am, meet at the station exit near The Coffee Van, Trooper Potts Way, RG1 8AL.
Steam train departs Princes Risborough railway Station at 11.20am. Arrive Chinnor Railway station 11.40am.
Walk 3km to lunch venue for lunch at 12.45pm. Please contact Carl at Variety is the Spice for booking a table.
Walk 6km to Chinnor Railway station to catch the 4pm steam train.
Arrive Princes Risborough railway station to 4.20pm.
Those traveling with Carl arrive Reading at 5.20pm.
Walk facts
Form: Figure of 8
Length: 9km/6 miles.
Duration: actual walking time, circa 2.5 hours.
Grade: Easy with some hills. Total ascent 240m. Not a walk in the park.
What to take:- Plenty of water & some snacks.
- If you are not having a meal at the lunch break please bring a packed lunch.
- Sun hat, sun cream, sun glasses and lightweight waterproof in the summer.
- Walking poles can be helpful on steep or slippery paths.
Walk description
From Chinnor railway station its a short walk to The Ridgeway - National Trail and on to an unspoiled, traditional 16th century Free House with outside seating. This location has featured in Midsomer Murders and other TV series. Here we can have Sunday lunch (booking required).
You can opt out of having a meal and bide your time if you prefer.
After lunch we'll take a short walk to see The Lyde, sunken aquatic garden, created by Lord Carrington.
Refreshed and motivated we'll head for some magnificent views over the Vale of Aylesbury from Chinnor Hill Nature Reserve. Next its a steep decent to the Ridgeway National Trail to retrace our steps back to Chinnor railway station to catch the steam train to Princes Risborough.
Meeting at
Meet at the exit of Reading railway station near to The Coffee Van at RG1 8AL at 10am.
or
If you wish to make your own way to Princess Risborough station to meet us at 11am.
Costs (all costs are paid by individuals on the day)
The organisers provide this event for the enjoyment of the participants, not for profit.- If you are traveling from Reading to Princes Risborough with Carl a donation of £3 per person is requested for the return journey.
The steam train ticket costs Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway
- Adult (16-59 yrs) £16
- Senior 60+ years (Adult Day Rover) £7.00.
Important information for our walks
- This walk is considered to be low risk, however the footpaths may be rough, steep & muddy in places. So you are advised to wear walking boots & suitable hiking clothes.
- If you are not sure about suitable clothes, or your ability to do this walk, please discuss with Carl R in advance so that you can make a considered decision.
- Participants must take full responsibility for their own welfare & safety.
- You sign up for and attend our activities at your own risk.
- This Meetup group does not have any insurances to cover your activity.
- Linley Sambourne House, Leighton House & Holland Park – Kensington, London visitLondon Paddington Train station , LondonGBP 3.00
A visit to both of these distinct, rather interesting and beautiful house museums that are a few minutes walk apart.
From Paddington Station, we will walk through Kensington Gardens for morning coffee/tea & a chat about the day; onwards to visit Sambourne House, picnic lunch in Holland Park and then visit Leighton House.
That’s the outline which can be adapted according to needs and preferences. The intention is that we should all be at our ease, without rushing, throughout the day.
**I'll update this post in the week beginning 14th July to say whether or not there are any tweaks to the arrangements to the day.**It might be nice to have a volunteer-led tour of both houses if they are available on the day, otherwise we will be self-guided. On this matter, here is some information from the Royal Borough:
“Free volunteer-led tours
At Leighton House: Wednesdays-Sundays, 2:30pm-3:15pm*
At Sambourne House: Wednesdays and Saturdays, 11:00-12:30/3pm-3:45pm*
* Tours are available to visitors with paid entry tickets, or who qualify for free entry. Tours are limited capacity and operate on a first come first served basis*. These tours are not guaranteed and are dependent on volunteer availability. ***
If you’d like to join our volunteer led tour, I recommend checking with us before, as we can’t always guarantee there will be volunteer available.
You don’t need to pre-book tickets, we always reserve plenty of tickets to be bought on the day.”A ticket to see both houses is £22.
Meeting place: London Paddington Station - Paddington Bear Statue - at 09:00.
Start time: 09:00.
Distance: I estimate that we will walk up to 5 miles in total from and to Paddington Station.
Conditions: Please wear comfortable clothes and footwear suitable for walking on pavements and in parks.
Refreshments: Bring snacks/packed lunch and water to drink. We will find a suitable time to have lunch, hopefully in Holland Park if weather permits. Bring something to sit on.
Risk: We do this activity at our own risk. Please always carry written contact details of who to contact in case of emergency.
Costs:
.£3 cash, payable when we first meet, to help towards the cost of using Meetup software. Thank you.
. £22 for a combined ticket to see both houses.NB. If you would like to organise a walk or event, lead a walk, suggest a walk or ask a question, please don’t hesitate to direct message me.
Follow for more.
