What we’re about
Welcome to Escape London City Explorers a walking and social group aiming at doing a range of guided walks and social trips to cities outside of London from London and guided walks and hikes within London.
The idea is to do a short country hike or city urban walk exploring cities or towns fairly close to London such as Oxford, Brighton, Portsmouth or Stratford-upon-Avon.
Transport will be either by train or coach, the group is twined with two other groups London Explorers (London walks & hikes) and Chiltern Explorers (countryside hikes within the Chilterns and further afield).
We are enthusiastic about photography and encourage photographs walking at a leisurely pace but also sometimes with harder faster and longer walks.
IN LIGHT OF THE CURRENT WORLD HEALTH CRISIS I AM HOSTING SOME LIVE VIDEO EVENTS ON LONDON EXPLORERS & CHILTERN EXPLORERS MEETUP GROUPS.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Historic East End Waterways/Short Urban Evening Walk/DrinksBethnal Green Underground Station, E2 0ET
Walk length 7 miles/11 km approx. linear.
A chance to explore some of the waterways of the East End along various interconnecting canals and tow paths over hopefully a warm sunset drenched evening starting off through Victoria Park.
The walk starts from outside Bethnal Green station and follows various waterways including the Limehouse Cut, the River Lee and the Hertford Union Canal.
There are a number of interesting old wharfs and factories along this route, many have been converted into flats or offices, however a great deal of old industrial heritage is still visible.
Due to time constraints we will not be stopping much just for snacks/water and admiring the sunset views and pointing out some points of interest.
FREE WALK
We may have the chance to go to a classy pub at the end close to West India Quay DLR and Canary Wharf.
Meeting
Meet outside Bethnal Green underground station from 6.15pm for the walk to start at 6.30pm (see photo above). The walk finishes back close to Westferry & West India Quay DLR and Canary Wharf See Transport for London (http://www.tfl.gov.uk/)
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/Escape-London-City-Explorers/pages/23195445/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.
- Westhumble, Polesden Lacey & Ranmore Common – Short Country HikeLondon Waterloo station, SE1 8SW£7.00
Walk length 9miles/15km approx. Circular.
A chance to explore a section of the North Downs with panoramic views from the Ranmore Common.
Ranmore Common is a wooded area just above the UKs largest vineyard at Denbies. The walk also passes the striking St. Barnabas Church, built by the famous English Gothic revival architect George Gilbert Scott who built the stunning former Midland Grand Hotel now part of St Pancras railway station in London.
The walk also goes past the village of Westhumble with a ruined chapel built during the late 12th century.
The walk follows a part of the North Downs Way, a long distance footpath of 156 miles long running along the chalk ridge of the North Downs.
THIS HIKE IS SHORT IN LENGTH BUT DOES CONTAIN SOME HILL CLIMBS SUCH AS RANMORE COMMON.
Please bring snacks and water for the walk, we will probably have a short coffee break at the visitor centre at Polesden Lacey. The walk should finish at about 5.00pm but maybe slightly earlier or later.
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.Transport and meeting please read..
Various meeting points see below..
Train from London: Meet outside the main WHSmith next to the rail information point and Pret A Manager on the main concourse at Waterloo Station from 11.45am to get the 12.24pm train that gets to Dorking main station for 13.14pm for the walk to start (see photo below) We need time to get tickets/group saves so please be prompt (3-9 people with a group save). Train ticket from £12.70 return.
At Dorking. Meet outside Dorking Main Station for the walk to start at 13.15am (after the train from London arrives). Saturday Parking at Dorking main station is £4.10. Some side roads such as Calvert Road a short walk away are free (please check any restrictions before parking).
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/Escape-London-City-Explorers/pages/23195445/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.
- Henley, Stonor, Turville & Thames - Extra Long Hilly Country HikeLondon Paddington , London£7.00
Walk length 20miles/32km approx. Circular.
A spectacular and long circular hike from Henley to Stonor and Turville with far reaching views across open countryside and the Thames.
This hike has a great deal of features..Stonor Park includes an historic country house and private deer park situated about four miles (6.4 km) north of Henley-on-Thames.
At Turville there will be an opportunity to climb to the top of windmill hill for great views of the surrounding countryside close to the Cobstone windmill. The Cobstone windmill was built around 1816 and featured in the film "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."
The final section of the walk follows the Thames path from Mill End back to Henley.
PLEASE BE AWARE THIS IS A VERY LONG HILLY HIKE SO PLEASE ONLY RSVP IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THIS AND CAN KEEP A REASONABLE PACE. BE AWARE IF THE WEATHER IS BAD THE HIKE MAY BE SHORTENED.
Cost
Cost: £7 cash or paypal (colin45@hotmail.co.uk) payable on the day guided walk & meetup costs. You can do paypal or bank transfer if you prefer, please message the organizer.
Train £16 approx. return with a network railcard or groupsave discount.
Lunch and Finish
Please bring a packed lunch and water for the walk. The walk should finish before 5.30pm and includes a pack lunch stop and pub stop at the end, however the time may be earlier or later than this depending on the weather and pace (this is a complete day hike, you are advised not to arrange anything for the evening).
Meeting points please read..
Meet outside Henley train station for the walk to start at 9.57am (after the train from London arrives).
By train from London: The London Paddington train at 8.45am gets to Henley-on-Thames for 9.57am with a short change at Twyford. I would encourage you to seek out other members who can go as part of a group save on the train and meet from 8.15am to give you time to get tickets.
I would suggest you meet outside the WHSmith shop at Paddington (see photo below). See National Rail Enquiries (http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/)
Train times may be amended before the event.
Car: The station car park at Henley charges but there are a number of off road streets that should be free on a Sunday, please leave enough time to park and check for restrictions.
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 boots, warm and wet weather clothing and carry sufficient food and water. Please see our Terms and Conditions (https://www.meetup.com/Escape-London-City-Explorers/pages/23195445/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.
