Secret Nuclear Bunker, Steam Train, St Andrews Church/Long Country Hike

Walk length 16miles/25km approx. Semi Circular.

A substantial & quirky hike following a large section of the Essex Way long distance footpath through ancient woodland & open farmland before a visit to a former Cold War Bunker and starting using a heritage railway service.

The first part of the hike is 6miles from Chipping Ongar to Kelvedon Hatch & the bunker (long lunch for visit 1.5hrs approx).

Close to Chipping Ongar we have the chance to see St. Andrews Church, Greensted which is believed to be one of the oldest wooden churches in the world.

Kelvedon Hatch was developed into a Regional Government HQ to shelter up to 600 government & military staff in the advent of a nuclear war; it is the largest and deepest of its kind open to the public in South East England. Decommissioned in 1992 & converted into a private museum.

Lunch & Finish: Bring water & snack lunch. This walk should finish at about 7.00pm, however the time may be slightly earlier or later than this depending on the weather and pace (time needed to see the bunker).

This is a complete day event and you are advised not to plan evening arrangements. You can visit the canteen at the Bunker (the Bunker canteen uses only cash and can be slow). pack lunch outside.

We may have an optional pub stop close to the end of the hike which is Epping Underground Station, probably the Theydon Oak an 18th century historic pub and does a good food and a cider menu!

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A GENTLY UNDULATING HIKE BUT ALSO LONG AND WILL BE WALKED AT A BRISK PACE SO WE HAVE TIME TO VISIT THE BUNKER AND GET BACK. PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS WALK IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THIS.

Meeting/Transport & cost (PLEASE READ!)

Meet outside Epping underground station for 10.00am to get the 10.25am heritage bus (339) that arrives at North Weald for 10.37am. The heritage train then leaves North Weald for Ongar at 11.00am arriving at Ongar for 11.15am for the hike to start. The plan B should there be any issues with the heritage train service is to take a conventional bus service to Ongar from Epping and then do the hike.

Cost

Cost: £7 cash payable on the day (guided walk & meetup costs. You can do paypal colin45@hotmail.co.uk, please send as friends and family to avoid charges, for bank transfer please message the organizer.

Heritage Bus/Train
£19.50 ticket (depending on numbers we may be able to get some discount on the day).

Museum Cost
The cost to visit the bunker visit £14 cash (I will try to get a group discount if there are sufficient numbers). This is self guided with a handset. You will need cash for this.
See Kelvedon Hatch (www.secretnuclearbunker.com/index.html).

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/London-Explorers/pages/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 THE ORGANIZER, MANY THANKS.