Outdooraholics London Hiking & Adventure Travel 25 to 49ish

This is one of our large group hikes - more people, more social. If a large group hike does not appeal please pick one of our standard size hikes

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 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 net 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 traverse 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 has 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
• Catch a glimpse of France – on a clear day, you can just make out the French coast across the Channel from the cliffs on our hike
• 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

The beauty of Box Hill has inspired many great artists, writers and musicians for hundreds of years. Jane Austen set the picnic scene from ''Emma'' here, George Lambert's famous 1733 painting of Box Hill immortalised it (now in the Tate Gallery) and it has even had several songs written about it, the most recent being ''On Box Hill'' by Everything But the Girl. It also inspired the poet Keats and the writer G.K. Chesterton. Come and discover the magic of Box Hill for yourself and see why it’s attracted and inspired so many famous creatives for centuries.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike along the stunning Surrey Hills (422 km²) - a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which covers one quarter of the county of Surrey
• See the famous Box Hill viewpoint with far reaching views over Surrey and Sussex
• Enjoy breathtaking hiking through the woods and hills of the North Downs
• Visit Denbies - England's largest vineyard, which has won international wine awards
• See the twisting hill roads of the 2012 Olympics cycle race where the cyclists did 9 laps of this spectacular section

HIKE DESCRIPTION

Box Hill is located on the North Downs and lies within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is also part of the Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment Site of Special Scientific Interest. As well as its natural beauty, Box Hill also plays host to a more recent fort built in the 1890s to help defend England from a possible French invasion and a semi derelict folly tower from 1815.

This is a diverse hike through the captivating Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty taking in woodland, rolling downs, Norbury Park, and the River Mole. Let’s not forget the icing on the cake - Box Hill itself and the unique Salomons Memorial offering some stunning views across the Weald to Devils Dyke by the South Coast. We also cross the famous Stepping Stones over the River Mole and we hike through Denbies - England's largest Vineyard that won Gold in the IWC best Rose wine in the world in 2010.

MEETING POINT

A picturesque adventure through England's most wooded county with a variety of attractions including historic buildings, picture postcard rural rivers and even a Witch's cave. A glorious circular hike from the ancient market town of Farnham steeped in history going back nearly 1000 years on this trail through time.

One of the very first Outdooraholics hikes from 2012, but still a timeless classic - written by our senior guide Graham who grew up here for 18 years, we show you this area and all its hidden gems!

HIGHLIGHTS

This picturesque route offers an escape into the heart of the English countryside, where ancient woodlands, captivating wildlife, and charming villages blend seamlessly with the rich history of the rural River Thames.

Our trail follows the iconic Thames Path, winding its way through ancient woodlands, peaceful marshes, and across the river from the renowned Cliveden estate, where history, grandeur and beauty converge. Along the way, you’ll discover stunning views, iconic landmarks, and a glimpse into centuries of British history. Highlights include Sir Stanley Spencer's home village as well as Bisham Woods and the views from Winter Hill which inspired Kenneth Graham to write "Wind in the Willows". Our adventure also takes us through the historic village of Cookham, referred to as “a village in heaven” by artist Stanley Spencer.

The hike culminates in Maidenhead, a market town, famous for its impressive bridges and rich literary connections. Experience the beauty of rural England along one of its most famous rivers.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the scenic rural Thames Path with its Thames side meadows.
• Visit Cookham village, home to the famous painter Stanley Spencer
• Discover the site of Saxon Queen Cynethryths 'lost' 8th century monastery
• Pass ancient Bronze Age burial mounds at Cock Marsh
• Enjoy panoramic views of the Thames from Winter Hill
• Walk through Bisham Woods which inspired The Wind in the Willows
• Pass near by the estate of Cliveden, an Italianate mansion built for a Duke and home to one of the biggest political scandals in British history – the Profumo Affair
• Cross the famous Boulters Lock, a popular spot for boating and a favourite for Victorian society
• End in the historic market town of Maidenhead, home to Brunel’s iconic railway bridge built in 1835

HIKE DESCRIPTION

Our hike begins in the idyllic village of Cookham, a place filled with artistic and literary history that inspired both Sir Stanley Spencer and Kenneth Grahame, author of The Wind in the Willows. We pass through Cookhams charming streets, past the Stanley Spencer’s gallery and his memorial stone in the Holy Trinity Church. Continuing along, we step foot into the enchanting Bisham Woods. Steeped in history, these woods were once part of the Royal Forests of Windsor and the home of Lady Hoby, whose ghost is still believed to wander amidst the towering trees. As we pass through, we’ll encounter a range of wildlife, from birds of prey to diverse flora. As we leave the woods behind, we’ll make our way along the Thames Path, in his book The Thames - a Photographic journey from Source to Sea, the author claims this to be the most photogenic section of the Thames. Our route follows the meandering river through a variety of landscapes, from lush woodlands to open fields and marshes.

Next, we journey to Winter Hill, where we’ll pause to take in sweeping vistas of the Thames Valley. The path continues along the river through Cock Marsh, offering glimpses of ancient burial mounds and the edge of Cliveden's grand estate. We’ll also pass by Boulters Lock, a historic site that once attracted Victorian society. Our walk finishes in Maidenhead, where the Thames Path leads us into this market town. The town is best known for the Maidenhead Railway Bridge, a triumph of Victorian engineering designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

This hike is a delightful blend of nature, history, and culture—an ideal way to explore the heart of Berkshire while discovering the rural and historic River Thames.

MEETING POINT