

What we’re about
👋 Welcome to Our Hiking Group!
Escape the city and explore Britain’s beautiful countryside with a warm, inclusive community of nature lovers. Whether you're an experienced hiker or just starting out, you'll find adventure, fresh air, and great company here.
🌱 About Us
Founded in April 2025, we’re a group of friends and outdoor enthusiasts who love exploring trails, sharing stories, and building connections outdoors. Our goal is to create a respectful, welcoming space where people can enjoy hiking together.
🤝 How We’re Run
Our group is looked after by a small volunteer team. We plan and lead hikes as peers, not professionals, and make decisions with the community in mind. It’s about shared responsibility, fairness, and creating a positive space for everyone.
✅ Who Can Join
- 🧑🤝🧑 Adults aged 21+ are welcome.
- 👶 Children are not permitted.
- 🐾 Pets are not permitted, for safety and inclusivity.
💰 Cost
All hikes are free – just sign up, turn up, and enjoy the trail.
🥾 Our Walks
We run 10–20 mile hikes across London and the South East, from scenic woodlands to rolling hills (and the odd muddy field!). Some routes are beginner-friendly, others more challenging, but all offer fresh air, adventure, and new friends.
🌄 What to Expect
- A friendly welcome at the meeting point
- A steady group pace with breaks for snacks, photos, and chat
- A mix of solo adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts
- Some hikes ending near a café or pub for a relaxed catch-up
- The occasional scenic detour 🍓🤦 – part of the fun!
💪 Fitness & Readiness
Most hikes require moderate fitness and the ability to walk 4–6 km/h (purposeful pace, still able to chat). Please check each event description for difficulty.
🗺️ Hike Difficulty Levels
- Easy: up to 12 km, mostly flat
- Easy/Moderate: up to 15 km, some slopes
- Moderate: up to 20 km, mixed terrain, moderate fitness
- Moderate/Strenuous: up to 30 km, steep sections, experienced hikers
- Strenuous: 30+ km, rough terrain, advanced hikers
- 👉 Full grading reference available here.
👨👩👧👦 Travel
- Most hikes are accessible by public transport.
- You can buy your own ticket for maximum flexibility.
- For some hikes, if enough members are interested, Southern Railway DaySave group tickets may be an option (£13 per person, advance purchase, same-train travel). Please use the event chat to coordinate with other attendees.
- Regular hikers may also benefit from a Network Railcard (£35/year).
📍 Meeting Points
Some hikes may offer two meeting options: a London railway station for those who wish to travel together, and the official hike starting point where the walk begins.
🎒 What to Bring
- Packed lunch and snacks
- At least 2L of water
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Layers and waterproofs (weather can change quickly)
- Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
- Personal medication, blister plasters, and a basic first aid kit
- Antihistamines (allergies/insect bites)
- Optional: walking poles
- A fully charged phone for emergencies
👣 Staying Together on the Trail
Please keep others in sight and avoid drifting too far ahead or behind. If you’re at the front, pause at junctions; if you’re at the back, stay close enough to see someone ahead. Organisers will pause occasionally, but it’s everyone’s responsibility to help keep the group together.
🌿 Safety, Responsibility & Emergency Preparedness
- Your safety is your responsibility.
- Our organisers are volunteers, not professional guides or first aiders.
- Hiking involves risks: injury, illness, weather, terrain, wildlife, navigation.
- Conditions can change quickly – dress appropriately and be prepared.
- Assess your fitness honestly and prepare for the route and weather.
- Bring appropriate supplies (food, water, kit, navigation tools).
- Carry a charged phone and know local emergency contact numbers.
- Signal may be limited in some areas, so please download offline maps in advance.
- Rescue or assistance may not be possible or guaranteed.
- Personal accident insurance is your responsibility if desired.
- Organisers may decline participation if safety is a concern.
⚠️ Code of Conduct
- Follow safety advice, local laws, and organiser instructions.
- No smoking, vaping, drugs, or alcohol (unless explicitly permitted).
- No loud music or headphones where awareness is needed.
- Unsafe, disruptive, or disrespectful behaviour will not be tolerated.
- Be respectful, kind, and welcoming to members and other trail users.
- If you feel uncomfortable due to interactions in or outside the group, please reach out.
🌱 Respect for Nature
- Leave No Trace: take your rubbish home.
- Stay on marked paths.
- Do not disturb wildlife or remove plants.
- Respect landowners, gates, and signs.
📅 RSVP & Attendance
- Only RSVP if you genuinely plan to attend, and update your response if your plans change.
- Please cancel at least 24 hours in advance so others have the chance to join.
- Frequent no-shows or repeated last-minute cancellations may lead to being waitlisted, or in serious cases, removal from the group.
🧭 Communication & Navigation
- Always read the event description (pace, distance, terrain).
- Bring a map, GPS, or offline navigation app.
- Let the organiser know if you leave the group.
- Share your emergency contact with someone you trust before the hike.
📸 Photo & Media
- Use a clear, recognisable profile photo so others can spot you at the meeting point.
- If you have privacy concerns, contact us for alternatives.
⛈️ Event Cancellations & Changes
- Hikes go ahead in most weather but may be cancelled for safety or organiser availability.
- Always check the event page for updates before travelling.
🚫 Behaviour & Consequences
- Members are expected to act respectfully and responsibly.
- Violations may result in removal from events or permanent exclusion from the group.
🗺️ Hike Guides
Our hikes are planned and led by experienced volunteers. While not professional guides, they pre-walk and prepare each route to make your day safe and enjoyable.
🤔 New or Unsure?
Message the organisers – we’re happy to help.
📢 Stay Connected
Follow us on: 📸 Instagram | 🐦 X | 🎥 YouTube | 💼 LinkedIn
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✅ Final Acknowledgement
By joining any activity, you confirm that you:
- Have read and understood the group rules and policies.
- Take full responsibility for your own safety and wellbeing.
- Acknowledge that organisers and the group accept no liability for accidents, injuries, or personal loss.
- Agree to follow these guidelines so that everyone can enjoy safe, respectful, and enjoyable hikes together.
...
We can’t wait to welcome you on the trail 🥾. Let’s explore 🌍, connect 💬, and share the joy of the outdoors together 🌞🍃.
Upcoming events (4)
See all- FREE HIKE 17km - South Downs Highs - Lewes to Stanmer via Ditchling BeaconLewes Station, BN7 2UP
SUMMARY:
🥾 17 km | Linear Walk | Ascent: 366 m | Duration: ~ 5 hours
📍 Start: Lewes Station at 10:00
🚆 Direct train from: London Victoria ( 1hr 10minutes)
🚆 Direct train from Brighton (20 minutes)
🚆 Direct train from Eastbourne (20 minutes)
🏁 Finish: Falmer Station approx. 16:00-17:00
⚠️ Uneven gravel terrain
📈 Grade: Easy/ModerateABOUT:
This linear walk offers stunning views across the South Downs, the Weald, and towards the sea. There are cafés and toilets available at both the start and end points. We begin at Lewes railway station and finish at Falmer railway station, next to the University of Sussex.DESCRIPTION:
Our walk begins in the historic town of Lewes, heading uphill towards Mount Harry, part of the South Downs ridge. Along the way, we pass near Blackcap, a prominent hill and nature reserve located west of Lewes and south-east of Plumpton. This stretch of the walk is part of the South Downs Way, a long-distance national trail offering sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.We continue westward along the ridge towards Ditchling Beacon, the highest point in East Sussex. At the summit, we enjoy a panoramic 360-degree view: the English Channel to the south, the Weald to the north, and rolling Downland to the east and west. As its name suggests, Ditchling Beacon was once part of a historic network of signal beacons. We stop here for lunch, taking in the views and the open landscape.
After lunch, we descend gradually through the South Downs towards Stanmer Park. Our route takes us into Stanmer Great Wood, especially beautiful in spring when carpets of English bluebells and wild garlic are in bloom.
The final stretch leads us through Stanmer Village and into the University of Sussex campus. We end our walk at Falmer railway station, which provides easy onward connections.
HIGHLIGHTS
- 🏞️ Stunning panoramic views from the South Downs Way, including the sea, the Weald, and open Downland.
- ⛰️ Ditchling Beacon – the highest point in East Sussex, with breathtaking 360° vistas.
- 🌸 Stanmer Great Wood – a springtime haven for English bluebells and wild garlic.
- 🧭 Historic route from Lewes to Falmer via Mount Harry, Blackcap, and Ditchling Beacon.
- 🚆 Easy access via public transport – start at Lewes station, finish at Falmer station.
- 🍃 A mix of open ridge walking and peaceful woodland trails through the South Downs.
COST:
- Free
TRAINS:
- 🚆 Direct train from: London Victoria ( 1hr 10minutes)
🚆 Direct train from Brighton (20 minutes)
🚆 Direct train from Eastbourne (20 minutes) - Check National Rail for train times and prices
📍MEETING POINT FROM LONDON
There are no direct trains from London Victoria to Lewes due to engineering works. Although travel via Victoria is still possible with a change of trains, the proposed route is from London Bridge instead.- 08:30 – Meet at London Bridge Ticket Office
- 08:45 – Head to the platform and board the direct train to Lewes
- 08:58 – Train departs London Bridge
- 09:57 – Arrive at Lewes
📍MEETING POINT #2 & TIME:
- Walk begins: 10:00 from the main entrance to Lewes railway station
- Walk finishes: Falmer Station approx. 16:00-17:00
DISTANCE AND DIFFICULTY
- Total distance: approx 17 km (10 miles)
- Ascent: 366 m
- Max elevation: 199 m | Min elevation: 3 m
- Grading: EASY/MODERATE
- Time: Approx. 5 hours (with breaks)
- Pace: 4–5 km/h (~3 mph)
GUIDE:
- See attendee list
WHAT TO BRING:
- Water (2 litres recommended)
- Snacks and packed lunch
- Rainproof (ideally waterproof) clothing
- Sturdy shoes or hiking boots
⚠️ SAFETY :
- Take extra care on rougher sections, especially during or after rain, and be mindful of livestock in active farmland. Sturdy, appropriate footwear is essential.
- As adults, you are fully responsible for your own safety and decisions throughout the walk.
NOTES:
- This is a group hike led by volunteers. Everyone is welcome to join.
- A few wrong turns in the woods? That’s part of the fun!
- While you're free to “hike your own hike,” we encourage group participation, get to know one another, make new friends, and enjoy the journey together.
- The steepest ascents are between Westdean and Beachy Head.
- Food options are limited en route, bring lunch.
- Be prepared for strong coastal winds and sudden changes in weather. Check forecasts in advance.
✅ Who Can Join
🧑🤝🧑 Adults aged 21 and over are welcome to join our hikes.
👶 We do not allow children on our hikes.
🐾 No pets are permitted, including dogs. Why? For the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of all participants, dogs are not permitted on group hikes. Large group walks can include individuals with allergies, phobias, or discomfort around dogs, and even well-trained dogs may cause anxiety, disruption, or safety risks on narrow or uneven trails. Dogs can also pose challenges when encountering livestock, wildlife, or other trail users. To ensure our hikes remain inclusive, safe, and manageable for everyone, we maintain a strict no-dog policy on all group hikes. Members who choose to disregard this rule will not be welcome to join our large group hikes.DISCLAIMER:
Event Participation Disclaimer
By signing up for an event we host, you acknowledge and agree to the following:- The organisers are not qualified hiking leaders, certified first aiders, or formally trained in navigation, survival, or any related disciplines.
- These hikes are informal, self-guided gatherings of like-minded individuals.
- The hosts expressly disclaim all responsibility and liability for any injuries, accidents, or safety incidents that may occur during participation.
- Participation is entirely voluntary, and all attendees are solely responsible for their own safety and well-being.
- These events are non-commercial and are organised purely as a recreational hobby, with no business or financial interests involved.
- Hiking and outdoor activities inherently carry risks of personal injury. By choosing to participate, you accept these risks and take full responsibility for your own actions and decisions.
General Group Policy
- Voluntary Participation: Attendance is at your own risk. The group and hosts bear no liability.
- No Professional Duty of Care: Hosts are volunteers, not trained guides or medical professionals.
- Insurance Is Your Responsibility: If desired, you must arrange your own personal insurance.
- Respect Nature: Follow Leave No Trace principles at all times.
- Emergency Preparedness: You are responsible for organising your own emergency plan.
- Weather and Safety: Events may be cancelled or changed if conditions are deemed unsafe.
- Self-Assessment Required: You must honestly assess your fitness and ability to keep pace with the group.
- No Guaranteed Rescue: While help may be offered, full rescue capabilities should not be expected.
- No Minors Without Guardians: Participants must be over 21.
- Right to Refuse Participation: Hosts may turn away any individual who appears unprepared or poses a safety risk to others.
- First Aid Preparedness Encouraged: It is highly recommended that each participant carries a small first aid kit for minor injuries such as cuts, scrapes, bites, and blisters.
Final Acknowledgement
By attending this event, you confirm that you are participating voluntarily and at your own risk. Neither the host nor the group accepts responsibility for any injury, loss, or damage incurred. - FREE HIKE 22 km | The Long Man and the Road to the SeaVictoria Station,, SW1V 1JU.
Take on one of Sussex’s most scenic journeys: a countryside-to-coast adventure of quiet villages, chalk ridges, and the mysterious Long Man of Wilmington. This 22 km (14 mile) hike takes around 6.5 hours, with farmland paths, airy ridgelines, and sweeping sea views.
We set out from Berwick, passing cottages, fields, and churches before reaching Wilmington and the 70-metre hillside figure who has watched over the Downs for centuries.
From his feet, the trail climbs steadily towards the village of Jevington, reputed birthplace of the Beef Wellington, before ascending Combe Hill, where the South Downs spread their wings: patchwork fields on one side, the shimmer of the Channel on the other, skylarks above and sheep grazing below.
The journey ends in Eastbourne, where we can toast the day with a well-earned drink or head straight for the next train home. Rolling fields, sweeping hills, a giant hillside figure, and the sea just a short walk away, this is Sussex at its finest. Join us for a classic adventure.
🛑 IMPORTANT: THIS HIKE IS FOR INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED WALKERS WITH GOOD FITNESS.
✅ WHO CAN JOIN:
- 🧑🤝🧑 Adults aged 21 and over
- 👶 No children
- 🐾 No pets (allergies/phobias)
- 🚫 If you have a history of no-shows, you may be moved to the waitlist.
📅 RSVP POLICY:
Please RSVP only if you can attend, and update your response if your plans change. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations could limit your ability to join future events. On the day, we will check in attendees individually to confirm attendance; anyone who does not turn up will be marked as a no-show.🚆 TRAIN COSTS FROM LONDON:
- Buy a return from London Victoria to Eastbourne
- Option 1: £43.90 (standard adult fare, no discount)
- Option 2: £29.20 each with a Network Railcard discount
- Option 3: £13 each with a DaySave Group Ticket (minimum 4 people per group; please coordinate with members via the event chat).
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👨👩👧👦🚆🎟️ OPTIONAL: DaySave (GroupSave) Tickets:
A GroupSave (also known as a DaySave) ticket with Southern Railway lets groups travel together for just £13 per person. It provides unlimited off-peak travel on Southern trains for a whole day, so you can hop on and off as often as you like and explore multiple destinations.For example, you could travel from London to Eastbourne, hike to Arundel, and return the same day for just £13 each, compared with paying much more for a standard return ticket even with a Network Railcard discount.
For clarity: a Network Railcard gives you one-third off most off-peak fares, but it does not provide a group discount.
A DaySave group ticket must be booked at least 3 days in advance and works best with groups of 4 or more people. It's a no brainer: travel together, save money, and enjoy more adventures for £13 instead of £30.
On the day of travel, the group will meet at the London meeting point and travel together as one. If anyone wishes to leave the group, they must do so in groups of four. Otherwise, the group is committed to staying together until the return journey to London Victoria. The group ticket requires both the outward and return journey to start and end at London Victoria.
For this event, those who wish to join a DaySave from London can have tickets pre-purchased in bulk by the host. This requires a non-refundable payment of £13 per participant a few days before the event, payable to the organiser via bank transfer, PayPal, Revolut, or Monzo. No payment means no group ticket.
When you RSVP, please reply YES if you would like to be included in a group ticket. A few days before the event, you will be asked to make the £13 payment to secure your place. Once payments have been received, the host will purchase group tickets in batches of four.
Alternatively, attendees may arrange their own transport, whether that’s a DaySave, another group ticket, an advance ticket, or car travel.
This document explains how to attain Day Save ticket:
📍 MEETING POINT OPTION 1:
- 08:15 – Meet at London Victoria ticket office
- 08:35 – Leave meeting point to board the train early to get a seat!
- 08:54 – Train departs London Victoria
- 09:56 – Change at Lewes
- 10:14 – Train departs Lewes
- 10:25 – Arrive at Berwick
📍 MEETING POINT OPTION 2:
- 10:25 – Berwick railway station
🚶WALK STARTS:
- 10:25 – Berwick railway station (We will start a few minutes after leaving the train and completing check-in; dont't be late!)
🏁 WALK FINISHES:
- 17:30 – approx. arrival at Eastbourne railway station
🍔 FOOD:
- Packed lunch around 12:00 (after ~1.5 hrs / 7 km).
🌳 TOILETS:
- Use the train toilets before you begin walking.
- Nature facilities during the hike
- End of hike in Eastbourne
👣 STAYING TOGETHER:
Stay in sight of others. If you’re at the front, pause at junctions; if you’re at the back, make sure you can see someone ahead. We all share responsibility for keeping the group together. Depending on the pace, it may be dark towards the end of the hike, so bring a head torch.↩️ RETURN TRAINS TO LONDON:
- 18:05 - From Eastbourne, arrive back in London Victoria: 19:36
- 18:33 - From Eastbourne, arrive back in London Victoria: 20:06
- 19:05 - From Eastbourne, arrive back in London Victoria: 20:36
💪 TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY:
- Distance: 22 km (13.7 mi)
- Ascent/Descent: +375 m / −393 m
- Terrain: fields, uneven paths, gravel tracks, woodlands, country lanes, and chalky ground
- Elevation: 197 m max / 6 m min
- Walking time: 6.5 hrs
- Total time (with breaks): ~7.5 hrs
- Average pace: 4.5–5.5 km/h, steady (fast enough to keep warm, slow enough to chat)
🎒 WHAT TO BRING:
- Packed lunch and snacks
- At least two litres of water
- Sturdy hiking boots (for mud, rocks, and uneven trails)
- Layers and waterproofs (the weather can change quickly)
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Personal medication, blister plasters, and a basic first aid kit
- Antihistamines (for allergies or insect bites)
- Optional: walking poles
- A fully charged phone for emergencies
- Head torch
- Bring your happy face and a sense of adventure
📞 CONTACT:
- Message the event host directly via Meetup with any questions.
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⚠️DISCLAIMER:
By joining, you confirm you’ve read and accepted the group policy on the About page. You are responsible for your own safety, and neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage.
...We can’t wait to welcome you on the trail 🥾🌳🌞
- FREE HIKE 25km | Blackdown - Highest Point of The South Downs National ParkLondon Waterloo station, SE1 8SW
SUMMARY:
🥾 25km (15.5miles) | Circular | Ascent: 731m | ~7 hours
🚆 Train from London Waterloo station
⛳️ Meeting Point: 2 Options
1- London Waterloo train station - Main Ticket Office (opposite platform 16) | 08:40 (Train is at 09:00)
2- Haslemere outside train station | 09:55
📍 Hike start: Haslemere outside train station | 10:05
🏁 Hike finish: Haslemere | approx. 17:00-18:00
⚠️ Some terrain can be muddy or uneven: good walking shoes recommended
📈 Grade: 🥾🥾🥾🥾 Level 4/5📖ABOUT:
- Embark on an exhilarating circular hike through the stunning South Downs National Park, starting in the charming village of Halsmere.
- This captivating journey takes you through the enchanting Barfold Wood, the majestic Blackdown, the serene Verdley Wood, along the picturesque River Lod, and up the scenic Green Hill.
- With its rewarding elevation gain (total 731m), this route promises breathtaking views and a true test of your hiking prowess.
🌟HIGHLIGHTS:
- Beautiful woodlands of Barfold Wood, Verdley Wood, and River Lod.
- Blackdown, the highest (280m) point in the South Downs National Park.
- Charming hamlets including Dial Green and Kingsley Green.
- Abundant wildlife and seasonal wildflowers make it especially rewarding.
💡TIPS:
- Wear sturdy walking shoes or boots because parts of the trail can be muddy or uneven, especially after rain.
- Pack a light rain jacket, even in summer. Weather can change quickly on the downs
💷COST:
Free🚆TRAINS (Direct):
- Outbound: 09:00 from London Waterloo
- Arrival Haslemere 9:54
- Inbound: Approx. 18:00
- Visit National Rail for details
⛳️MEETING POINT & TIME:
- Meet: 2 Options
1- London Waterloo Station- Main Ticket Office (Opposite platform 16) | 08:40
2- Haslemere outside train station | 09:55 - Hike start: Outside Haslemere train station | 10:05
- Hike finish: Haslemere | Approx. 17:00–18:00
🚏DISTANCE AND DIFFICULTY:
- Total distance: approx 25km (15.5miles)
- Ascent: 731 m
- Max elevation: 280 m
- Grading: 🥾🥾🥾🥾 Level 4/5
- Time: Approx. 7 hours (with breaks)
- Pace: 5 km/h (~3.1 mph)
🎒WHAT TO BRING:
- Water (2 litres recommended)
- Snacks and packed lunch
- Rainproof (ideally waterproof) clothing
- Sturdy shoes or hiking boots
✅Who Can Join
• 🧑🤝🧑 Our hikes are open to adults aged 21 and over.
• 👶 For safety reasons, we’re not able to include children.
• 🐾 We love animals, but pets (including dogs) can’t join our hikes.
• ☑️ Everyone is welcome to RSVP, but to keep things fair for all members:
- If someone often cancels last minute or misses hikes without notice, they may be placed on a waitlist or removed from the group for future events.
- We do a quick check-in on the day of the hike, which helps us keep track and make sure spaces are available for those who really want to join.⚠️SAFETY:
As adults, you are fully responsible for your own safety and decisions throughout the walk.❗️NOTES:
- This is a group hike led by volunteers. Everyone is welcome to join.
- A few wrong turns? That’s part of the fun!
- While you're free to “hike your own hike,” we encourage group participation, get to know one another, make new friends, and enjoy the journey together.
- Food options are limited en route, bring lunch.
🚨DISCLAIMER:
Event Participation Disclaimer
By signing up for an event we host, you acknowledge and agree to the following:- The organisers are not qualified hiking leaders, certified first aiders, or formally trained in navigation, survival, or any related disciplines.
- These hikes are informal, self-guided gatherings of like-minded individuals.
- The hosts expressly disclaim all responsibility and liability for any injuries, accidents, or safety incidents that may occur during participation.
- Participation is entirely voluntary, and all attendees are solely responsible for their own safety and well-being.
- These events are non-commercial and are organised purely as a recreational hobby, with no business or financial interests involved.
- Hiking and outdoor activities inherently carry risks of personal injury. By choosing to participate, you accept these risks and take full responsibility for your own actions and decisions.
🚨GENERAL GROUP POLICY:
- Voluntary Participation: Attendance is at your own risk. The group and hosts bear no liability.
- No Professional Duty of Care: Hosts are volunteers, not trained guides or medical professionals.
- Insurance Is Your Responsibility: If desired, you must arrange your own personal insurance.
- Respect Nature: Follow Leave No Trace principles at all times.
- Emergency Preparedness: You are responsible for organising your own emergency plan.
- Weather and Safety: Events may be cancelled or changed if conditions are deemed unsafe.
- Self-Assessment Required: You must honestly assess your fitness and ability to keep pace with the group.
- No Guaranteed Rescue: While help may be offered, full rescue capabilities should not be expected.
- No Minors Without Guardians: Participants must be over 21.
- Right to Refuse Participation: Hosts may turn away any individual who appears unprepared or poses a safety risk to others.
- First Aid Preparedness Encouraged: It is highly recommended that each participant carries a small first aid kit for minor injuries such as cuts, scrapes, bites, and blisters.
🚨FINAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT:
By attending this event, you confirm that you are participating voluntarily and at your own risk. Neither the host nor the group accepts responsibility for any injury, loss, or damage incurred. - FREE HIKE 27km | The Kentish Downs Garden & Woodland TrailVictoria Station,, SW1V 1JU.
Set out on a scenic, tough 27 km (17 miles) history-rich adventure from the charming town of Oxted. The route leads through rolling commons, nationally protected landscapes, picturesque villages, and sweeping viewpoints. Blending woodland trails, open countryside, and panoramic ridges, it promises a rewarding day out across the Surrey Hills and the Greensand Ridge on the Kent border.
We begin in Oxted, a town full of character and history, where timber-framed buildings and Victorian façades tell stories from centuries past. From here, we cross Limpsfield Common and wander into the countryside around Westerham, passing landmarks such as Tenchleys Manor, a striking Elizabethan house dating back to 1599, and the colourful Edwardian gardens of Emmetts.
Bring your National Trust card if you’d like to explore Emmetts garden during the lunch break. (Last time, I was able to enter without needing to show my card, but this may vary.)
The trail continues past Chartwell, the much-loved home of Sir Winston Churchill, where he painted many of his landscapes. We also visit Crockham Hill, where Octavia Hill, social reformer and co-founder of the National Trust, is buried, before climbing to Toys Hill, one of the highest points on the Greensand Ridge, offering the sweeping views that helped inspire the founding of the Trust.
This isn’t just a hike, it’s a journey through a changing landscape. One moment you’re walking beneath woodland canopies alive with birdsong; the next you’re crossing open commons or pausing to take in far-reaching views across the Weald. The constant variety makes every step rewarding.
Our hike ends back in Oxted around 16:30–17:00 with the option of a celebratory pub stop before boarding the train home, a fitting close to a day well spent. 🌇 Sunset ~18:00 (bring a head torch in case the group is delayed).
🛑 IMPORTANT: THIS HIKE IS FOR INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED WALKERS WITH GOOD FITNESS AND NOT SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS.
✅ WHO CAN JOIN:
- 🧑🤝🧑 Adults aged 21 and over
- 👶 For safety reasons, no children
- 🐾 No pets (some members have allergies or phobias)
- 🚫 If you have a history of no-shows, you may be moved to the waitlist
📅 RSVP POLICY:
Please RSVP only if you can attend, and update your response if your plans change. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations could limit your ability to join future events. On the day, we will check in attendees individually to confirm attendance; anyone who does not turn up will be marked as a no-show.🚆 TRAIN COSTS FROM LONDON:
- Super Off-Peak Return: £15.20 (or £10.10 with a Network Railcard) from London Terminals → Oxted (OTX).
- We don’t arrange group tickets (there is little cost saving on this route), but if you arrive early you may be able to team up with others who have a Railcard. Buying your own ticket gives you flexibility to return at a time that suits you. If you hike regularly, a Network Railcard costs £35/year and pays for itself within a few trips.
📍 MEETING POINT OPTION 1 - (London departure):
- 08:00 – Meet at London Victoria station ticket office
- 08:10 – Leave the meeting point and board the train
- 08:20 – Train departs London Victoria (direct to Oxted)
- 09:01 – Train arrives Oxted
📍 MEETING POINT OPTION 2 - (Join at Oxted):
- 09:01 – Regroup at Oxted station entrance (Station Road East)
🚶 WALK STARTS:
- 09:05 – Oxted station entrance (after check-in is completed)
- We start early to make the most of the available daylight.
🏁 WALK FINISHES:
- Approx. 16:30–17:00 – Oxted station entrance
↩️ RETURN TRAINS TO LONDON:
- 17:23 – Direct to London Victoria (arrives 18:02)
- Additional direct trains also run to London Bridge
🍔 LUNCH:
- Bring a packed lunch and snacks. We’ll stop at Emmetts tea room (café, toilets, indoor and outdoor seating) around 12 km / ~3 hours into the walk.
🚻 TOILETS:
- On the train before we begin walking
- Emmetts tea room at lunchtime
- “Nature facilities” during the hike as needed
👣 STAYING TOGETHER:
Stay in sight of others. If you’re in front, pause at junctions; if you’re at the back, keep someone ahead in view. We all share responsibility for staying together.⚠️ TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY
- Distance: 27 km (≈17 miles)
- Difficulty: MODERATE/STRENUOUS
- Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous
- Ascent/Descent: 521 m ↑ / 508 m ↓
- High/Low: 244 m / 77 m
- Average pace: 4.5–5.5 km/h — steady and brisk (fast enough to keep warm, slow enough to chat)
- Walking time: ~7 hours
- Total time incl. breaks: ~8 hours
🎒WHAT TO BRING:
- Packed lunch and snacks
- At least 2 L of water
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Layers and waterproofs
- Sun protection
- Medication and basic first aid
- Daypack (optional: walking poles)
- Fully charged phone & battery pack
- Head torch
📞CONTACT:
- Message the event host directly via Meetup with any questions.
...
⚠️OUTDOOR GROUP POLICY & DISCLAIMER
1. Purpose and Nature of the Group
We are a volunteer-led hiking community, not a business, guiding service, or first aid provider. All activities are peer-led and informal. You are responsible for your own safety, actions, and wellbeing.
2. Participation & Risk- By attending, you accept that hiking involves risks such as:
- Personal injury, illness, or accidents
- Sudden weather changes
- Challenging terrain (mud, cliffs, rivers, etc.)
- Wildlife encounters
- Navigational challenges
You are expected to:
- Honestly assess your fitness and experience
- Prepare appropriately for the route and weather
- Bring your own supplies (water, food, first aid kit)
- Carry a charged phone and offline navigation tools
- Arrange personal accident insurance if desired.
Organisers may decline participation if safety is a concern.
3. Code of Conduct
3.1 Safety & Behaviour- Follow all safety advice and local laws
- No smoking, vaping, or drug use during hikes
- No alcohol unless explicitly permitted
- No loud music or headphones in situations requiring awareness
- Communicate with the group if you become separated. Separation is strongly discouraged.
Unsafe or disrespectful behaviour will not be tolerated.
We’re committed to maintaining a friendly, respectful, and welcoming space for all. If you ever experience any interactions, inside or outside the group, that make you feel uncomfortable, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
3.2 Emergency Preparedness- Bring suitable clothing for changing conditions
- Know local emergency contact numbers
- Understand that rescue may not be possible or guaranteed
3.3 Respect for Nature
- Leave No Trace. Take your rubbish home.
- Stay on marked paths to protect the environment
- Do not disturb wildlife or remove plants
- Respect landowners, close gates, and follow signs
3.4 Respect for Others
- Be considerate of fellow hikers and other trail users
- Offer help when appropriate, but know that rescue is not guaranteed
- Disruptive behaviour may result in permanent removal from the group
4. Participation Rules
- Adults aged 21 and over
- No children or pets on our hikes
- Read the event description and difficulty before attending
- Organisers may change or cancel events due to weather, safety, or availability
5. Communication & Navigation
- Bring a map, GPS, or offline navigation app
- Let the organiser know if you leave the group
- Share your emergency contact info with someone you trust before the hike
6. Photo and Media
- Photos may be shared in group chats or on social media.
If you do not wish to appear in photos, please inform the organiser before the event.
- Members must use a clear, real profile photo. Fake or AI-generated images are not allowed. Contact us if you need a privacy-friendly alternative.
7. Event Cancellations and Changes
- Events may be cancelled or rescheduled at short notice due to weather, safety concerns, or organiser availability.
Check for updates before travelling.
8. Behaviour & Consequences
- Members are expected to act respectfully and responsibly.
- Violations of these rules may result in removal from events or permanent exclusion from the group.
✅ Final Acknowledgement
By joining any activity, you confirm that you:- Have read and understood the group rules and Outdoor Group Policy & Disclaimer.
- Accept full responsibility for your safety.
- Acknowledge that organisers and the group accept no liability.
- Agree to follow these guidelines so we can all enjoy the hikes together.