What we’re about
Welcome to Chiltern Explorers a walking social group aiming to do a wide range of guided walks across the Chilterns and further afield exploring other fantastic British countryside.
Most of our walks start at a convenient tube or railway station and aim to get the best deals on any group save tickets for trains and try when possible to look for free car parking giving you as many travel options as possible.
All our walks are well researched, leaving you free to relax and enjoy the lovely scenery or urban views in the company of other like-minded individuals and of course you will be keeping fit. Most walks end with a well-deserved pub stop with a strong social ethos.
The walks are very varied with a relaxed feel, mainly around ten miles and at the weekend but some short walks from seven miles to longer faster paced walks of up to 20 miles and some mid-week walks. We are enthusiastic about photography and encourage sightseeing.
We are twined with a more city urban walking group London Explorers and often do events together. Chiltern explorers is based to the west of London in the gorgeous Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and also does a wide range of weekends away to other UK National Parks and other AONBs.
Chiltern Explorers is unusual for many outdoor meetup groups in that it currently only arranges the walks and leaves the accommodation up to the members giving members the option to go on the days they want and stay according to their budget, many members also car share for trips away. The weekends have a good social atmosphere and comradery.
The country walks have covered the Chiltern and Surrey hills, the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head and the Lake District amongst many others.
IN LIGHT OF THE CURRENT WORLD HEALTH CRISIS I AM HOSTING SOME LIVE VIDEO EVENTS ON LONDON EXPLORERS & CHILTERN EXPLORERS MEETUP GROUPS.
I hope you decide to join us!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- St Albans, the Ver & Colne Valley & Ye Olde Fighting Cocks/Afternoon HikeGarston Station, WatfordGBP 7.00
Walk length 9miles/15.5km approx. Linear
A picturesque linear hike from Garston to the historic town of St Albans along the Rivers Ver and Colne.
The Ver has a rich and varied history. There is evidence of human occupation in the valley as far back as 3000BC. The Romans founded an important city, Verulamium on the banks of the river close to the site of modern day St. Albans.
St Albans has some of the best old pubs in England. We can visit Ye Olde Fighting Cocks at the end which was once recognized as the oldest pub in England and also an old barn dating from the 17th century that is now a very classy pub..
THIS HIKE IS LARGELY FLAT.
Meeting and Transport
We are meeting outside Garston rail station for the hike to start at 12.50pm after the train from London arrives.
Train from London: The 12.23pm from Euston gets to Garston railway station at 12.50pm return ticket to St Albans Abbey with a change at Watford Junction should be about £11 with a group save or network railcard discount (return to St Albans Abbey).
Meet outside Euston station at 11.50am to give us time to get tickets, close to the ticket office (see photo below).
If driving you will need to get a single train ticket either from Garston or St Albans for either the start or end of the walk as this is a linear hike to collect your car. Please check for parking restrictions and leave enough time to park. Garston station has side roads that should be free on a Saturday.
Walk Cost: £7 cash on the day organizer fee (the host is a qualified London guide). For paypal it is 'colin45@hotmail.co.uk' Please send as friends and family to avoid charges. For bank transfer message organizer.
Lunch and Finish
Please bring a late snack lunch and water for the hike. The walk will finish at about 4.30pm, however the time may be earlier or later than this depending on the weather and pace.
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 must 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 THE ORGANIZER, MANY THANKS.
- Seaford, Litlington White Horse/Seaford Head & Swim – Coastal HikeStation Approach, SeafordGBP 7.00
13mile/20km circular
A very panoramic hike from Seaford towards Newhaven encompassing views of the chalk White Horse near Litlington, an inland section close to Devilsrest Bottom and the views from Seaford Head across to the Seven Sisters. There may be a chance for a swim at the end at Seaford.
Lunch & Finish
Please bring a packed lunch & water for the walk. The walk should finish before 5pm & include a 30 min snack lunch stop & pub at the end, however the time may be slightly earlier than this depending on the weather and pace (this is a complete day out and your are advised not to plan definite events for the evening).
THIS HIKE IS MEDIUM IN LENGTH WITH UNDULATING LANDSCAPE PARTICULARLY AT SEAFORD HEAD. PLEASE ENSURE YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THIS.
Various meeting points see below..
Meeting at London: Meet at 8.45am at London Victoria Train station to get the 9.24am train arriving at Seaford rail station at 10.48am for the hike to start (one very short change at Lewes) for the hike to start.
Getting the group saves from 8.45am (may have to queue so please be prompt so we can go to the train when it is announced & the platform is called, these trains can get busy).
The meeting point is an official meeting point symbol directly opposite the Upper Crust shop & the Gatwick Express entrance close to platform 13 & 14 (see photo below).
Cost
£24 approx return with a group save or network railcard discount
£7 cash on day for guided hike or paypal colin45@hotmail.co.uk) please do paypal friends and family to avoid charges. For bank transfer please contact the organizer.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 THE ORGANIZER, MANY THANKS.
