Hike For Charity

Donkey Sanctuary with optional walk ~ 11km/7 miles

Sat, Feb 21 · 10:10 AM GMT

Didcot Parkway Station, Station Road, Didcot, GB

Join us to meet some donkeys and then optional walk to Wallingford and on to Cholsey.

(We're doing this hike with Variety is the Spice Meetup group.)

The Donkey Sanctuary Home - Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary
Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary is a registered charity that cares for ill-treated and neglected donkeys. Currently, the Sanctuary looks after approximately 120 donkeys and other animals. They welcome visitors between 11am and 4pm daily. There is no entrance fee, however donations are appreciated.
We plan to arrive at 11am and leave round 1pm.
During our visit there is a Table Top and Jumble Sale with a 50p entry fee Table Top and Jumble Sale, 21st February 2026 - Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary

Walk facts
Start: 1pm from The donkey Sanctuary
Distance: Approximately 11 km / 7 miles
Duration: Walking time circa 3 hours.
Grade: Easy. We will maintain a steady pace over varied surfaces.
Donation to GOSH: £5 cash on the day
What to take: A packed lunch and plenty of water.
Also, we're not insured, so please have your own insurance for this type of activity.

Walk description
From the Donkey Sanctuary we'll walk to the historic market town of Wallingford. We'll see a life-sized bronze statue of Agatha Christie and have the option to buy refreshments or eat our own food.

From Wallingford we'll follow the Cholsey and Wallingford Railway line to St. Mary's Church where the famous crime novelist Agatha Christie is buried.

We'll finish our adventure at Cholsey railway station.

Meeting at
Didcot Parkway railway station. We'll be outside the station exit holding a GOSH banner, please see the photo below.
Meeting time: 10.10 am. We'll catch a bus to the Donkey Sanctuary at 10.29 am. You'll need to buy your own bus ticket but it shouldn't cost a lot.

TRAVEL
by train
The day starts at Didcot Parkway railway station and finishes at Cholsey railway station.

To cover both journeys, buy a day Return to Didcot Parkway station. It will cost £37.70 but with Groupsave or a Network Railcard, it's £25.10 (as of 5/2/26).
From London: catch the 9.22 am from London Paddington, arriving Didcot Parkway 10.03 am.
Coming back: there are 2 trains an hour going back to London from Cholsey.

Plan your route: TFL and The Trainline

If you're driving there is a car park at Didcot Parkway railway station & also at Cholsey railway station. A train between these stations runs at 30 minute intervals with a journey time around 5 minutes.

Limited spaces will be available in a car traveling from Reading to Cholsey. Message Carl R for information.

KEY INFORMATION
YOU MUST READ THE THREE SECTIONS BELOW - if you join this trip, you're confirming that you have.

1. The perilous bit
2. Our FAQs, including an explanation of Group save tickets which will save you money.
3. See here for what to wear and take. Specifically make sure you bring good hiking boots and that you are ready for muddy conditions . Please - no trainers, they are not suitable for walking in the wintry muddy conditions.

AND FINALLY

• We're raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children

We’ll deduct Meetup fees but all the profits will go to GOSH. After each hike, we’ll let you know exactly how much we’ve all raised. And if you’d like to join us and raise money by leading some hikes, please get in touch – the more the merrier 😊

Scenic views from the North Downs Way 14km/ 9 miles

Sat, Mar 7 · 10:30 AM GMT

Guildford Railway Station, 2A Guildford Park Road, Guildford, GB

Do this walk because - you'll enjoy a beautiful outdoor hike while giving back to the community by supporting a great charity.

We're doing this hike with Variety is the Spice Meetup group so this walk offers a great opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and make a difference together.

Walk facts
Distance: Approximately 14 km / 9 miles
Duration: Walking time circa 4 hours.
Grade: Moderate. We will maintain a steady pace over varied surfaces. There are some hills with a total ascent is 320m.
Donation to GOSH: £5 cash on the day
What to take: A packed lunch and plenty of water.
Also, we're not insured, so please have your own insurance for this type of activity.

Walk description
From the station it's a short walk to the River Wey where we'll join the North Downs Way until we reach the summit of St. Martha's Hill, an historic beauty spot. This is the first of two locations for a short break to admire the great view & delve into our snack boxes.

Next, we'll follow Pilgrims' Way for a short distance before heading for high ground for our lunch stop with lovely panoramic views of the Downs.

Refreshed, we'll set off along the North Downs Way & then turn away towards Pewley Down where we'll be rewarded with fine views of Guildford cathedral and our final destination.

Now its an easy downhill walk to Guildford Castle and on to the railway station to complete our adventure. You are welcome to join us for a well deserved drink before leaving us.

MEETING AT
Guildford railway station. We'll be outside the station exit holding a GOSH banner, please see the photo below. Meeting time: 10.30 am. We'll leave at 10.35 am.

TRAVEL
by train
Get a return to Guildford (times and prices as of 9 /2/26): A return ticket costs £22.20 or with Groupsave or a network railcard, it's £14.75

1. Getting there - Waterloo to Guildford. Get the 9.45 arriving at 10.24 am
2. Coming back - Guildford to Waterloo - trains are very frequent coming back to London.

Plan your route: TFL and The Trainline

by car
There is a car park at the station, however it is probably better value to use one of the Park & Ride options.

KEY INFORMATION
YOU MUST READ THE THREE SECTIONS BELOW - if you join this trip, you're confirming that you have.

1. The perilous bit
2. Our FAQs, including an explanation of Group save tickets which will save you money.
3. See here for what to wear and take. Specifically make sure you bring good hiking boots and that you are ready for muddy conditions . Please - no trainers, they are not suitable for walking in the wintry muddy conditions.

AND FINALLY

• We're raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children

We’ll deduct Meetup fees but all the profits will go to GOSH. After each hike, we’ll let you know exactly how much we’ve all raised. And if you’d like to join us and raise money by leading some hikes, please get in touch – the more the merrier 😊