Outdooraholics London Hiking & Adventure Travel 25 to 49ish

🌳 Large Group Social Hike
One of our bigger, more sociable hikes.
Prefer a smaller group? See our standard-size hikes.

This is one of our large group hikes – more people, more social. If you prefer a smaller group experience, please choose one of our standard-size hikes instead.

What better than a great hike, then finishing on the famous Brighton seafront with some short time to enjoy this coastal town. On the way there, we will hike along the elevated South Downs hills, summiting Ditchling Beacon to enjoy splendid sea views and diverse countryside, as the sea gets larger and larger and eventually we'll end up on the beach at Brighton.

We will also have some time to explore Brighton itself (approx 50 mins to 1 hour) - wander along the famous Lanes with the sound of the music buskers livening up the streets, and lose ourselves in the bars, cafes and independent jewellery and antique shops. You can even get a zip wire experience on the seafront. We will have some time to enjoy the beach, and if you're feeling really in the seaside mood, grab some good old British Fish and Chips. Join us or miss out!

TOUGHNESS WARNING - this is a tough and hilly hike and is also long. You need to be an experienced and fit hiker. It is not for beginners or anyone who has only done intermediate hikes.

To be fair to those attending, if you are unable to keep up with the group or finish the hike, you will need to leave the hike and get a taxi at your own expense. Our pace will average 4 to 4.2kmph.
At over 500m ascent, it is 2/3 of the ascent of Mount Snowdon from Pen Y Pass - the most popular start point.
If you have any doubts at all then this is not a hike to join, please choose one of our less tough hikes. If you are unsure, email us, but anyone who cannot keep up with the group will need to leave the hike and no refund will be due - only sign up if you are happy with this.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Traverse the chalk highlands of the South Downs
• Summit Ditchling Beacon with far reaching views
• Visit Stanmer, a charming ancient private village with medieval architecture
• Explore the species rich grassland of Whitehawk Hill
• Finish at colourful Brighton and hit the beach, and for the brave - dip our toes in the sea
• A great physical challenge for the fit and fast hikers

HIKE DESCRIPTION

This is a different experience from the usual walk along the South Downs ridge. Instead, this route starts off at Hassocks and then traverses North to South exploring hidden valleys, woods, open green expanses and parkland.

The end point is the lively town of Brighton, famous for its vibrant tlife, and we will be rewarded with a trip to the sea at Brighton Waterfront. Before that we will pass through the cosy village of Ditchling, then stand atop Ditchling Beacon, explore the green expanse of Stanmer Park, pass Stanmer House, then walk through the University of Sussex campus to Falmer. We will enjoy a lovely view of the sea from Kemp Town Racecourse and then walk into the splendour that is Brighton. The boardwalk, pier, seafront bars, Mediterranean cuisine and fish and chips of England's most famous beach await you!

TOUGHNESS - please note, this is not a hike for beginners or for anyone who has not been hiking regularly recently. The main hill is steep and the same height and toughness as walking up 1/3 of the height of the Shard by stairs.

MEETING POINT

This is one of our large group hikes – more people, more social, more fun. If you prefer a smaller group experience, please choose one of our standard-size hikes instead.

Join us to explore the ancient woodlands, medieval deer park and picturesque fields of Kent. This diverse and stunning hike takes us on a journey via Knole House, Knole Deer Park and Ightham Mote. We usually see deer too in one of the last Tudor Deer Parks in the UK dating from the time of King Henry VIII.

Come and see for yourself why the beauty of this area attracted the Beatles to film promotional videos for "Penny Lane" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" here.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike along a stunning stretch of the Greensands Way - much of which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• Explore the ancient 1000 acre Knole Deer Park
• See the stunning Knole House - one of England's largest houses boasting 365 rooms, 52 staircases, 12 entrances and 7 courtyards
• Pass through Ightham Mote - Grade I listed medieval moated manor house dating from circa 1340AD

HIKE DESCRIPTION

Our hike takes us through the 1000 acre Knole Deer Park which is home to over 350 deer and whose picturesque landscape attracted the Beatles to film promotional videos for "Penny Lane" and "Strawberry Fields Forever". The videos went on to be selected by New York's MoMA as two of the most influential music videos of the late 1960s.

Knole House is one of England's largest houses boasting 365 rooms and 52 staircases and has remained surprisingly unchanged during its history going back to 1486. Being surrounded by the glorious 1000 acre Knole Deer Park completes its picturesque setting.

We also pass Ightham Mote, a largely original moated medieval manor house dating back to 1320 and described by David Starkey as "one of the most beautiful and interesting of English country houses". It has an extensive history encompassing ownership from medieval knights to courtiers to Henry VIII.

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' 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