Outdooraholics London, Hiking & Adventure Travel 25 to 49ish

Join us for this delightful linear coastal walk at Hastings, Sussex. Hastings is known to most people as the site of the famous battle where William the Conqueror defeated Harold Godwinson - the last Saxon King of England before conquering the rest of England and building such iconic castles we've visit on other hikes such as Windsor, Guildford and Arundel. Hastings is now a small to medium size town and can boast having the largest beach based fishing fleet in Europe which is a beautiful sight along with the old fishing huts.

Our route will take us along part of the Saxon Shore way, up some heady cliffs and along a beautiful and dramatic stretch of coastline. It's a very photogenic route with fantastic views from the cliff tops as we travers along the coast one of the South East's most stunning coastal hikes. As well as being quite spectacular this area including the sandstone cliffs have also been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for their "great geological and biological importance". In addition to a diverse range of flora, various dinosaur fossils have also been found in the cliffs as well as crocodile bones and teeth from the Early Cretaceous Period (143-139 million years ago)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit the beautiful medieval port town of Winchelsea - once on the coast before the sea retracted
• Visit Hastings - known as Europe's largest beach launched fishing fleet and also one of the oldest in the UK
• Stunning panoramic views from the coastal cliff top path as we traverse along the sea
• See France - on a clear day you can see France across the Channel
• Visit Rye, one of the best preserved medieval towns in England with cobbled street and timbered houses
• Follow the Saxon Shore Way Canal

MEETING POINT

Explore a picturesque and varied part of Hertfordshire with a walk through the magnificent hilly western area of Hitchin and the North Easterly ridge of the Chiltern Hills. Following green rolling hills and ancient woods, we go through picturesque hamlets and villages and through a glacial valley and nature reserve, then finish off returning to the market town of Hitchin.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore a picturesque hilly part of Hertfordshire
• See Oughtonhead Nature Reserve - home to a variety of bird species and a picturesque stream & waterfall
• Hike through the charming villages of Great Offley and Little Offley
• See the picturesque village of Pirton famous for its medieval buildings
• Explore Pegsdon Hill and Hoo Bit Nature Reserve offering stunning far reaching views

HIKE DESCRIPTION

We start off at Hitchin - a picturesque town with a medieval layout and traditional cobbled streets. From there, we proceed towards Oughtonhead Common - a tranquil nature reserve home to numerous bird species, a little stream and a small waterfall.

Continuing on the Icknield Way Trail, we reach the ancient village of Pirton, known for its medieval architecture and we pass High Down House - a stunning Grade I listed building. Through shady woods and lush rolling hills we reach the Pegsdon Hill and Hoo Bit Nature Reserve. Considered one of the jewels of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - this nature reserve boasts some of the finest views in the county.

Our way back is through the Icknield Way. We descend in the valley near Little Offley, walking through woods and small hamlets and join the Chiltern Way that will take us to Great Offley. Great Offley lies on the top of a chalk escarpment ridge and boasts interesting historic buildings including Offley Place. We leave the village to go south towards the rolling hills near West Wood and Pinnacle Hill, and start making our way back into Hitchin going along the lovely River Purwell.

MEETING POINT

Spend a marvellous day in Kent, and enjoy the beauty of the North Downs as you stroll through ancient woods, explore beautiful meadows and protected wildlife habitats and wander through a timeless landscape featuring historic medieval buildings that nestle within the gorgeous rolling landscape.

This is a splendid circular hike for novice hikers starting from the historic village of Meopham, which is reputedly the longest village settlement in England and possibly even Europe. After passing through one of Meopham's two medieval village greens we will venture into a lovely rural landscape of pastures and charming Kentish woodland areas. We visit the old towns of Meopham and Cobham, both boasting a rich palette of historic sites, before plunging into the lush greenery of Trosley Country Park, Camer Park and Cobham Wood, in a day dedicated to a close communion with nature.

We have designed this as beginners hike. The route does include some small ups and downs but we will take a gentle pace on them and this really is an ideal hike for anyone new to hiking.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy spectacular views across the rolling landscape of the North Downs
• View Killick's Windmill, a Grade II listed 'Smock mill' that built in 1801
• Hike through beautiful rolling areas of chalk 'downland' featuring typical dry valleys, beautiful ancient woodlands and pretty farmsteads.
• Stroll through lovely Camer Park - a former estate landscape, with enthralling grassland and ancient trees.

HIKE DESCRIPTION

Our journey begins at the northern end of Meopham, reputedly the longest village in England and featuring two medieval village greens and one of a handful of smock windmills left in the country - still standing tall to this day. After passing one of the medieval village greens we quickly delve into the green fantasy of chalk downlands with its classic patchwork of rolling open pastures and ancient woodlands, before we emerge at the southern end of this 11km long (7 mile) settlement to reach its second village green where we will stop for lunch to view the windmill, maybe watch some cricket on the green and take in the lovely village scene. Maybe you will catch a glimpse of Dumbledore as he lives here.....(aka Michael Gambon). We will set off again from the village green to wander into quiet dry valleys of the North Downs taking in the abundant wildlife and scenery on all sides - venturing into and out of lush woodlands until we reach our final destinations of Camer Park and the hamlet of Sole Street.

MEETING POINT

Come along on an enchanting journey through Hertfordshire's historic heartland, where the Garden City Movement's pioneering ideas blend urban charm with natural beauty. This captivating hike takes us through ancient woodlands, past architectural treasures, and following the footsteps of literary giants.

Follow tree-lined boulevards that lead into centuries-old woodland paths, traverse the historic Ayot Greenway hiking along the route of a derelict Victorian railway line, and uncover hidden churchyards that whisper tales from medieval times. Along the way, stroll through the huge gardens of Brocket Hall Stately Home, delve into the legacy of playwright George Bernard Shaw, and trace the meandering chalk waters of the River Lea.

Join us and experience the area's fascinating transition from rural hamlets to pioneering urban planning, while marveling at stately homes that have hosted prime ministers and inspired countless artists and writers.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Briefly pass through Welwyn Garden City, a unique and pioneering example of urban planning and the Garden City Movement
• Walk through the serene oak and hornbeam ancient woodland of Sherrardspark Wood, a designated "Site of Special Scientific Interest".
• Spot diverse wildlife, from woodpeckers to butterflies, and fungi in Sherrardspark Wood
• Wander through Ayot Green, a quintessential and peaceful English hamlet with historic charm
• Pass by the haunting beautiful ruins of Old St Lawrence Church, steeped in 12th-century heritage
• Step into the life and works of legendary playwright George Bernard Shaw as we pass by his National Trust home - Shaw's Corner
• Admire the remnants of the Lamer Park Estate, tied to Antarctic explorer Apsley Cherry-Garrard
• Trace the route of the Ayot Greenway, a picturesque trail along a former Victorian railway line turned tranquil trail
• Walk alongside the tranquil River Lea, one of the UK's rare chalk streams
• Stroll past Brocket Hall, a neo-classical country estate and stately home with fascinating historical ties including Prime Ministers
• End the hike back in Welwyn Garden City, with its tree-lined boulevards and iconic neo-Georgian architecture

HIKE DESCRIPTION

Our journey begins in Welwyn Garden City, a town created in 1920 as a new model town and celebrated for its harmonious blend of nature and architecture. Founded as part of the revolutionary Garden City Movement, its tree-lined boulevards and neo-Georgian charm offer a perfect backdrop to the start of our adventure. From here, we step into Sherrardspark Wood, a haven of towering oaks and hornbeams. This ancient woodland teems with wildlife, from the drumming of woodpeckers to the flutter of speckled wood butterflies. Rich in fungi and history, this woodland whispers stories of its 4,000-year legacy.

Traversing the historic Ayot Greenway, we step into a world where nature has reclaimed an industrial past. The trail leads us through a succession of peaceful hamlets, each with its own character and history. At Ayot St. Lawrence, we encounter the haunting ruins of the Old Church, derelict since 1775, now a romantic reminder of 12th-century architecture. Nearby, Shaw's Corner stands as a testament to literary genius, its Arts and Crafts architecture and beautiful gardens providing insight into the life of one of Britain's greatest playwrights. The path continues past Lamer Park Estate, where echoes of Antarctic explorer Apsley Cherry-Garrard's adventures linger in the remaining historic structures.

We follow the River Lea, one of Britain's precious chalk streams, leading us toward the magnificent Brocket Hall. This Grade I-listed mansion, set in 540 acres of parkland, has played host to Prime Ministers and royal guests, its walls holding countless secrets of political intrigue and scandal. The path then returns through Sherrardspark Wood, where afternoon light filters through ancient branches, before emerging back into the planned perfection of Welwyn Garden City, completing our circuit through centuries of natural and human history.

MEETING POINT