What we’re about
Metropolitan Walkers is the largest London-based Ramblers group for people in their 20s and 30s.
All our planned walks can be found at https://www.metropolitan-walkers.org.uk/wal... We publish to MeetUp to showcase our activities to a wider audience!
If you've not walked with us before, you’re welcome to come along on three free walks before becoming a member, to see if Met Walkers is for you! Membership is around £43 per year, or £30 concessionary rate.
We’re a very active group. Our volunteers lead walks every weekend, ranging from short, leisurely walks to strenuous hikes of 17+ miles across hilly terrain. We also lead one evening stroll during the week, discovering different parts of the capital.
We explore the beautiful areas near London such as the North Downs, south coast and Chilterns, all of which are accessible by public transport.
A lot of our members walk regularly, which is a great way to form friendships. As well as walking, we have a regular social programme.
We regularly run weekends away to explore the other great walking areas the UK has to offer, such as the Lake District, Snowdonia and Scotland, and have also put on several trips abroad.
We’re part of the Ramblers – the charity that helps everyone, everywhere, enjoy walking; and protects the places we all love to walk.
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Registered charity 1093577. Metropolitan Walkers is a part of the Ramblers - Britain's walking charity.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Seven Sisters Challenge - Short Version (14 miles) (14 miles/Moderate)Eastbourne Station, Eastbourne
Metropolitan Walkers is part of the Ramblers, Britain's walking charity. All welcome for 3 'taster' walks, after which please join the Ramblers - info on the Met Walkers website
Our annual Seven Sisters Challenge returns for 2025.
There are three led walks with (at least) four route options. Everyone will do the same first 10 miles from Eastbourne over the Seven Sisters, and then break into groups which will each complete a different total distance. This allows everyone to try a faster paced walk initially without having to commit to it for the whole day, and then later decide what kind of walk they want to complete.
The 10-mile mark is at Exceat, where we stop for lunch (toilet facilities and a cafe are available); this group will then complete a 14-mile route to Seaford, where we catch a train back to Lewes. Please bring a packed lunch.
Walkers are encouraged to join for a pub gathering at the end of the walk in Lewes, reconvening with the other groups.
Other longer routes: From Exceat, the Medium Version will walk on northwards to Berwick (where they take the train back to Lewes) and the Long Version will simply walk all the way to Lewes. If you want to take either option please join the respective group at the lunch break (but be mindful that these groups may depart more promptly, so keep a look out for the group leader). Please see other listings below for further info.
There is also the option to drop out of the walk at Exceat by taking a bus from there, making it a 10-mile walk.
Terrain: Hilly clifftop paths
Travel: Take 8:54 from London Victoria (9:01 Clapham Junction, 9:10 East Croydon), arr. Eastbourne 10:23. Buy return to Eastbourne. Single Seaford-Lewes may be required for journey back.
Meeting point: Please meet outside Eastbourne station. Please use the loos on train as we will need to make a prompt departure. Depending on the group size we will do introductions outside station, or walk towards the seafront first.
Grading: Moderate.
For an explanation of the gradings, please see the FAQ - please consider both the length and grade when choosing a walk.Finish point: Lewes
More info: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/seven-sisters-challenge-short-version-14-miles - Seven Sisters Challenge - Medium Version (17 miles) (17 miles/Strenuous)Eastbourne Station, Eastbourne
Metropolitan Walkers is part of the Ramblers, Britain's walking charity. All welcome for 3 'taster' walks, after which please join the Ramblers - info on the Met Walkers website
Everyone will do the same first 10 miles from Eastbourne over the Seven Sisters. If you are planning to complete this medium-length route please stick to the front half of the group.
The 10-mile mark is at Exceat, where we stop for lunch (toilet facilities and a cafe are available); this group will then carry on northwards and complete a 17-mile walk finishing at Berwick, where we catch the train back to Lewes. Please bring a packed lunch.
Walkers are encouraged to join for a pub gathering at the end of the walk in Lewes, reconvening with the other groups.
There is also the option to drop out of the walk at Exceat by taking a bus from there, making it a 10-mile walk.
Other longer / shorter routes: Please see separate listings for further info.
Terrain: Hilly clifftop paths, fields, woods, country roads
Travel: Take 8:54 from London Victoria (9:01 Clapham Junction, 9:10 East Croydon), arr. Eastbourne 10:23. Buy return to Eastbourne.
Meeting point: Please meet outside Eastbourne station. Please use the loos on train as we will need to make a prompt departure. Depending on the group size we will do introductions outside station, or walk towards the seafront first.
Grading: Strenuous.
For an explanation of the gradings, please see the FAQ - please consider both the length and grade when choosing a walk.Finish point: Lewes
More info: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/seven-sisters-challenge-medium-version-17-miles - Seven Sisters Challenge - Long Version (20-24+ miles) (24 miles/Strenuous)Eastbourne Station, Eastbourne
Metropolitan Walkers is part of the Ramblers, Britain's walking charity. All welcome for 3 'taster' walks, after which please join the Ramblers - info on the Met Walkers website
Everyone will do the same first 10 miles from Eastbourne over the Seven Sisters. If you are planning to complete this full route please stick to the front half of the group.
The 10-mile mark is at Exceat, where we stop for lunch (toilet facilities and a cafe are available); this Long Version will then continue over the South Downs into Lewes, with a total distance of roughly 24 miles. Please bring a packed lunch and plenty of snacks/water.
Good level of fitness required for this version!
Walkers are encouraged to join for a pub gathering at the end of the walk in Lewes, reconvening with the other groups.
There will be a chance to drop out at Glynde which is approx at the 20-mile mark - where you can get a train to Lewes to meet the group. In the event of long train delays or very poor weather we will adjust the route, which may change the dropout point but it will be at a similar distance.
There is also the option to drop out of the walk at Exceat by taking a bus from there, making it a 10-mile walk.
Other shorter routes: Please see separate listings for further info.
Terrain: Clifftop paths, chalk downs, some woodland. Generally very hilly!
Travel: Take 8:54 from London Victoria (9:01 Clapham Junction, 9:10 East Croydon) arr. Eastbourne 10:23. Buy return to Eastbourne. An additional single Glynde-Lewes may be required if dropping out.
Meeting point: Please meet outside Eastbourne station. Please use the loos on train as we will need to make a prompt departure. Depending on the group size we will do introductions outside station, or walk towards the seafront first.
Grading: Strenuous.
For an explanation of the gradings, please see the FAQ - please consider both the length and grade when choosing a walk.Finish point: Lewes station
More info: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/seven-sisters-challenge-long-version-20-24-miles - Key Haven Marshes & Hurst Castle (12 miles/Moderate)Lymington Town railway station, Lymington
Metropolitan Walkers is part of the Ramblers, Britain's walking charity. All welcome for 3 'taster' walks, after which please join the Ramblers - info on the Met Walkers website
This circular walk begins in Lymington and heads toward Hurst Castle, passing through the beautiful Lymington and Keyhaven Marshes Nature Reserve. The route offers excellent coastal views across to the Isle of Wight, along with plenty of opportunities to spot local wildlife.
Upon reaching Keyhaven, we’ll wait for the ferry to Hurst Castle. The ferry costs £4 for a single trip or £7 return. Those who prefer not to take the ferry can walk along the shingle spit instead (an additional 2 miles), which we’ll all do on the return journey.
At Hurst Castle, Heritage Open Day events will be taking place, with free entry. While specific activities can't be guaranteed, stunning views of the Needles and the surrounding coastline are almost certain — weather permitting. The castle was built by King Henry VIII in the 1540s to defend the Solent and the important naval port of Southampton. Over time, it was expanded and used in various military roles, including during the Napoleonic Wars and both World Wars. We plan to spend around 1–1.5 hours at the castle, depending on our progress.
The return walk follows the scenic shingle spit back to Keyhaven, then continues through the marshes along a slightly more inland route, completing the loop back to Lymington.
Bringing a packed lunch is recommended, although there’s a small café near Hurst Castle. Pub stop at the end!
Travel: Take the 9:03 from London Waterloo (9:10 from Clapham Junction), change at Brockenhurst (arr. 10:38, dep. 10:54 on a Rail Replacement Bus), arr. Lymington Town 11:04. Buy a return to Lymington Town.
Grading: Moderate.
For an explanation of the gradings, please see the FAQ - please consider both the length and grade when choosing a walk.Finish point: Lymington Town
More info: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/key-haven-marshes-hurst-castle
