What we’re about
We are London based hikers who enjoy exploring the pretty countryside of South East England
> Explorer UK – Hiking, Walking, Socialising, Exploring
Welcome to Explorer UK, based in London, taking you away on day trips hiking through the pretty countryside of South East England and weekends away across the UK.
Who We Are: Explorer UK is based in London and has membership from the UK and all around the world. Many Explorers live locally or are here for work or study and want to get out of town for some hiking with new people and new friends. We have members of all different ages from their 20s to their 70s, all are very welcome. Your organisers, Tom, Louise and Derek, have enjoyed hiking and the outdoors all their lives, now we want to share this with you.
What We Do
Day Trips: We usually meet on a Saturday morning at a London train station before heading out into the countryside for a days walk together before getting the train back into town in the early evening. Our walks are typically around 10 miles in length and we like to have a good mix of hills and valleys and woods and rivers, usually with a castle, a windmill or a hilltop beacon to enjoy along the way. At the end of the hike we have the option of going for a drink or a meal together in a local pub near to the train station, you don't have to come to the pub but it's a great way to finish off the day by relaxing and chatting to new friends before heading home.
Socialising: All of our hikes are a great chance to meet new people and make new friends. We are a relaxed group and there is plenty of space to breathe the air, enjoy the views and then chat to the others as the mood takes you. Many people come on their own and we make sure everyone is welcome, others like to bring a friend as their guest. It’s up to you. Most of our walks have a pub stop in the middle and we always have a chance to go for a meal and a drink together at the end.
Exploring: There’s so much to see and do and lots of it is not too far outside London. Come along and discover The North and South Downs Way, Arundel Castle, The Otford Solar System, The Angel on the Bridge, The River Thames, The Shivering Mountain, The Chiltern Hills, Beachy Head Cliffs, Jack and Jill, Gallows Down and much more. We’ve been to lots of places, now we want to take you too. Come along and have fun!
Safety: Tom is a qualified Hill and Moorland Leader (MLTE). All of the hikes we take you on have been tried out before to make sure they are suitable and we aim to minimise risk through careful planning, good organisation, experience and skill. We take your safety seriously and have a risk policy published under our terms and conditions.
FAQs
Can I come on my own? Yes, most people do although you are welcome to bring a friend or sign up a guest. We make sure everyone is very welcome and there will be lots of people to talk to as you are going along.
What are the costs? We keep our costs simple and there are no hidden things to pay for. Typically you will pay a £5 organiser fee for a day hike securely on PayPal through the Meetup site. Please note we don’t do refunds unless the walk is cancelled.
What should I wear? We ask you to wear sensible walking clothes and shoes, preferably hiking boots, taking into account the weather forecast and time of year. This normally includes a waterproof. The terrain may be uneven or slippery and therefore fashion boots, shoes or boots with heels, smooth leather soles, fashion trainers or plimsoles are NOT suitable (This list is not exhaustive).
What should I bring? On most of our walks we ask you to bring a packed lunch or buy a sandwich at the station before we set off. Always bring water, we suggest one litre. You may also need to bring sunscreen, a hat and/or waterproofs depending on weather forecast/season. A day-sack (rucksack) to carry your lunch and you may like to bring a camera and some money to buy a drink or a meal in the pub at the end.
How fit do you need to be? We are not one of the fastest hiking groups but you do need a reasonable level of fitness to complete the length of walk (usually around 10 miles) and remember there will be some hills along the way.
Is this an established, trustworthy, hiking group? Yes. We have been going strong since December 2011 and currently have nearly 18,000 members. But don't take our word for it. Check out individual walk reviews or a group review to see what other Explorers thought.
Will I enjoy the hike and have fun? We certainly hope so! Why not check out some of our reviews to see what a good time people have.
RISK NOTICE:
Please note there are risks associated with all outdoor activity, we will lead the group around the hike but are not responsible for your personal health and safety. Our hikes are typically between eight and thirteen miles in length, and although we are not one of the fast groups we ask that you are reasonably fit and wear suitable clothing and footwear. The terrain is uneven and may be slippery - smooth soled shoes/boots/fashion trainers and footwear with heels are not suitable (list is not exhaustive). Please avoid doing anything that would put you or other members of the group in danger. In signing up for this trip you agree to the Explorer UK terms and conditions and accept responsibility for any risk of personal injury associated with the walk. We ask that you are capable of walking at 2.5 mph and have a reasonable intention of keeping up with the main group. If you are bringing a guest please ensure that they have read this notice and walk description before they agree to come. This walk is not suitable for children or pet dogs.
Hope to see you on a hike soon, best wishes
Tom and Louise
