Social and Cultural Outings

## 🥾 GO London Hiking – Epping Forest & High Beach Hike (via Upshire & Copt Hall House) ### 🌄 Overview Join GO London Hiking for a stunning countryside adventure starting right at the end of the Central Line in the pretty town of **Epping**. Within minutes of leaving the station, we’ll be walking through rolling **Essex countryside**, passing open fields, ancient woodland, and royal hunting grounds once enjoyed by **Henry VIII** and **Queen Elizabeth I**. This route combines peaceful forest trails, sweeping views, and a touch of Tudor history – a perfect day out for anyone looking to stretch their legs and explore one of London’s most accessible green escapes. This circular route through **Epping Forest** showcases one of England’s oldest royal forests, officially designated for hunting in the **12th century** and still protected today. Along the way we pass the impressive **Copt Hall House**, a fine example of **Georgian architecture** built on land once gifted by **Queen Elizabeth I**. Although gutted by fire in 1917, restoration work continues, making it a fascinating landmark of local heritage. We’ll also visit **High Beach**, one of the highest points in the forest, where clear days offer panoramic views across the **Lea Valley** towards **Central London**. This spot is perfect for lunch or a coffee break at the visitor centre café. *** ### 🕓 **Schedule & Meeting Info** **Meeting Time**: 10:00 Epping Underground Station (outside main entrance) **Trains:** Central Line – frequent trains from Central London to Epping (Zone 6) **Tickets:** Return on the Underground (use Contactless, Travelcard, or Oyster) **Hike Start:** 10:10 Epping Underground Station (outside main entrance) **Hike Finish:** Around 16:30 at Loughton Underground Station (Central Line) **Return Trains:** Every few minutes back to Central London **Hike Leader:** Gary 07968585224 🚆 Train fare is **not included** – please purchase your own return ticket in advance or on the day. *** ### 🎒 **What to Bring** ✅ Hiking boots or sturdy shoes ✅ Waterproof jacket & layers for changing weather ✅ Packed lunch, snacks & water ✅ Train ticket / Contactless / Travelcard *** ### 📏 **Grade & Distance** **Grade:** Beginner / Intermediate **Distance:** 16 km / 4.5hrs hiking time **Ascent:** 148 metres **Terrain:** Mostly good forest paths and gentle hills *** ### 💬 **About GO London Hiking** We’re one of London’s most active and welcoming hiking groups — connecting over 40,000 outdoor enthusiasts for adventures across the UK and beyond. All hikes are led by qualified and insured leaders passionate about nature, wellbeing, and community. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned hiker, you’ll feel right at home. *** ### 💚 **Stay Connected** 📱 WhatsApp: 07968585224 📸 Instagram: [@golondonhiking](https://www.instagram.com/golondonhiking/) 👍 Facebook Page: [Go London Adventure](https://www.facebook.com/GoLondonAdventure/) 👥 Facebook Group: [Go London Hiking](https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoLondonHiking/) 📜 **Terms & Conditions** By signing up, you agree to our full T&Cs including our cancellation and refund policy.

**Socialise, mix & mingle, enjoy conversations, make connections! BOOK VIA ONE OF THE LINKS : [https://fatso.ma/fkqdk](https://fatso.ma/fkqdk) or [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/expand-your-social-circle-professionals-socialise-mix-mingle-tickets-1990744180433?aff=oddtdtcreator ](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/expand-your-social-circle-professionals-socialise-mix-mingle-tickets-1990744180433?aff=oddtdtcreator)*RSVP TOO PLEASE!*** **In this amazing venue, in Broadgate Circle, offering both indoor and outdoor space in the vibrant hidden gem - square, sets away from Liverpool Street station.** Mix and mingle with ladies and gentlemen alike, professionals perhaps in law, finance, IT, medical doctors, scientists or similar, with high expectations demanding professional and fast paced lifestyle in general, with sometimes limited time and opportunities to chill out, socialise and connect. **Seize the opportunity to enrich your social life with like minded people and why not, trust in perfect synchronicities of the right people at the right time and place getting together.** Make new acquaintances, catch up potentially with who you might have met in a previous event, interact with all attendees, engage in fascinating stories. **Make a friend, maybe find someone special that can make your heart sing or simply go out & about, indulge in handcrafted cocktails and mocktails in this amazing venue.** Approach with the best smile on your face, make a first best impression, see it reflected back to you! **See what can potentially happen** **next!** **HOW TO FIND :** **Please ASK FOR ELENI's BOOKING AT THE VENUE HOST!** **Kindly arrive at about 18:30 if you can so you can be in the flow of the introductions!** **ELENI is hosting this evening making sure all guests are welcomed to our table / area, introduced to each other and included throughout the evening.** *Mr Fogg's, City Tavern is part of an amazing collection of venues, inspired by Mr Fogg's travels of Jules Vernes novel, 80 days around the world!* ***Situated in the heart of Broadgate Circle, this eccentric Victorian-style tavern is a haven where Mr Fogg’s accountants, lawyers and bankers would convene after a long day in the office. Inspired by the globe-trotting spirit of Mr Fogg, The City Tavern showcases a collection of old Victorian portraits and artefacts from every corner of the world, personally contributed by his fellow members of the Reform Club – a living testament to shared journeys and camaraderie.*** Be part of a group of friendly and inclusive people that would like to invest in a beautiful evening in a prime venue, socialising and making new friends. Dress Code: Smart Casual Refunds only in case of the event being cancelled

**\*\*TO BOOK GO HERE [https://dateinadash.com/events/london/mayfair/speed-dating/18Jun2026-7520](https://dateinadash.com/events/london/mayfair/speed-dating/18Jun2026-7520)\*\*** Go on 20 dates at our popular Thursday night [Speed Dating ](https://dateinadash.com)event at [Mercato Mayfair](https://mercatometropolitano.com/mercato-mayfair/) near Bond Street. This event is for ages 30-50 and has an equal ratio of men and women. Expect to meet a lots of single professionals at the best Speed Dating event in Mayfair on Thursday night. Easily one of our most popular events with a great crowd every week. Speed Dating kicks off at 8pm prompt and any guests arriving late may not be able to take part so please ensure you arrive 15-30 minutes before the scheduled start time to allow for registration. When all the guests have arrived the host will explain how the evening will unfold and you will be provided with a scorecard and pen. When the event begins women will be seated and men will rotate between tables every 4 minutes. At the end of each date guests mark on their scorecard or phone using our mobile website whether they would like to see that person again. The event will finish around 9:30pm but guests are welcome to stay and mingle if they wish. The following day we'll contact you with the results and you can communicate with anyone you've matched with through our website. Please be aware that speed dating places are limited and the majority of our events do sell out, so please book early to avoid disappointment. If you have any queries about this event please contact us at enquiries@dateinadash.com or call our telephone bookings hotline on 0845 862 1448 (9am 5pm).

**Socialise, mix & mingle, enjoy conversations, make connections! BOOK VIA ONE OF THE LINKS : [https://fatso.ma/fkqdk](https://fatso.ma/fkqdk) or [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/expand-your-social-circle-professionals-socialise-mix-mingle-tickets-1990744180433?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/expand-your-social-circle-professionals-socialise-mix-mingle-tickets-1990744180433?aff=oddtdtcreator) *RSVP TOO PLEASE!*** **In this rather unusual venue, in Broadgate Circle, offering both indoor and outdoor space in the vibrant hidden gem - square, sets away from Liverpool Street station.** Mix and mingle with ladies and gentlemen alike, professionals perhaps in law, finance, IT, medical doctors, scientists or similar, with high expectations demanding professional and fast paced lifestyle in general, with sometimes limited time and opportunities to chill out, socialise and connect. **Seize the opportunity to enrich your social life with like minded people and why not, trust in perfect synchronicities of the right people at the right time and place getting together.** Make new acquaintances, catch up potentially with who you might have met in a previous event, interact with all attendees, engage in fascinating stories. **Make a friend, maybe find someone special that can make your heart sing or simply go out & about, indulge in handcrafted cocktails and mocktails in this amazing venue.** Approach with the best smile on your face, make a first best impression, see it reflected back to you! **See what can potentially happen** **next!** **HOW TO FIND :** **Please ASK FOR ELENI's BOOKING AT THE VENUE HOST!** **Kindly arrive at about 18:30 if you can so you can be in the flow of the introductions!** **ELENI is hosting this evening making sure all guests are welcomed to our table / area, introduced to each other and included throughout the evening.** *Mr Fogg's, City Tavern is part of an amazing collection of venues, inspired by Mr Fogg's travels of Jules Vernes novel, 80 days around the world!* ***Situated in the heart of Broadgate Circle, this eccentric Victorian-style tavern is a haven where Mr Fogg’s accountants, lawyers and bankers would convene after a long day in the office. Inspired by the globe-trotting spirit of Mr Fogg, The City Tavern showcases a collection of old Victorian portraits and artefacts from every corner of the world, personally contributed by his fellow members of the Reform Club – a living testament to shared journeys and camaraderie.*** Be part of a group of friendly and inclusive people that would like to invest in a beautiful evening in a prime venue, socialising and making new friends. Dress Code: Smart Casual Refunds only in case of the event being cancelled

**\*\*\*TO BOOK GO HERE [https://dateinadash.com/events/london/balham/speed-dating/18Jun2026-7508](https://dateinadash.com/events/london/balham/speed-dating/18Jun2026-7508)\*\*** Go on 15 dates at our popular Thursday night [Speed Dating ](https://dateinadash.com)event at the [Exhibit](https://theexhibit.co.uk/) near Balham station. This event is for ages 30-45 (age guide) and has an equal ratio of men and women. Expect to meet a lots of singles at the best Speed Dating event in the South West London on Thursday night. Easily one of our most popular events with a great crowd every week. Speed Dating kicks off at 8pm prompt and any guests arriving late may not be able to take part so please ensure you arrive 15-30 minutes before the scheduled start time to allow for registration. When all the guests have arrived the host will explain how the evening will unfold and you will be provided with a scorecard and pen. When the event begins women will be seated and men will rotate between tables every 4 minutes. At the end of each date guests mark on their scorecard or phone using our mobile website whether they would like to see that person again. The event will finish around 9:30pm but guests are welcome to stay and mingle if they wish. The following day we'll contact you with the results and you can communicate with anyone you've matched with through our website. Please be aware that speed dating places are limited and the majority of our events do sell out, so please book early to avoid disappointment. If you have any queries about this event please contact us at enquiries@dateinadash.com or call our telephone bookings hotline on 0845 862 1448 (9am 5pm).

**NDK (Neurodivergent Karneval)** is a variety showcase featuring hot-ticket live bands, drag acts and various other weirdnesses. Run by two neurodivergent people - for everyone. There will also be a bar, a chill space, tarot readings, and plenty of breaks. If you're coming along... join this group to meet new people! Get your ticket: [Ticket via Outsavvy](https://www.outsavvy.com/event/35834/neurodivergent-karneval-june-edition) Follow us on instagram: [@NDKPresents](https://www.instagram.com/ndkpresents/) **About** Why NDK? ‘ND’ or 'Neurodivergent', because it's a night run by an ND team. We aim for better access and inclusion for the audience and performers, at an event we'd actually want to bring our mates to. 'Karneval' is a colourful in-between world where normal social rules are lifted and a new set of rules apply. This is a space where neurodivergence is the norm and celebrated. Dance however you want, or don't. Allies and friends welcomed with open arms. Just don't make us do small talk! Bring a mate, bring a date, come solo - it's just a damn good night out. **7.30-11pm** Cabaret Acts [@clary_montero](https://www.instagram.com/clary_montero/) Drag King [@spanx_x_x](https://www.instagram.com/spanx_x_x/) Drag/lesque Cabaret [@nobuo_otsuka](https://www.instagram.com/nobuo_otsuka/) Theatre/Clowning Live Bands Headliner [Twat Union](https://www.instagram.com/twatunion/) All Girl Chaos Punk Pop!!!!!!! [tall child](https://www.instagram.com/tallchildband/) \- Rising stars\, grungy delicious lyricism [The Awkward Silences](https://www.instagram.com/the_awkward_silences/) \- house band/house cats Tarot readings [Tarot with Juliette ](https://www.instagram.com/tarotwithjuliette/) ✅ ACCESS: \> Step\-free access \> Accessible toilet \> Separate chill room \> PA/companion tickets \> Content warnings posted online and at box office \> Captions on large screen \> Audio headsets for direct audio \(please note the venue does not have a hearing loop apart from at box office\. The headsets are over\-ear and will provide performance audio direct from the sound desk\) The event will be mostly standing with some general seating on the balconies and plenty of ground floor access seating. Visual guides with video, + other access stuff, are on the [NDK Linktree](https://linktr.ee/ndkpresents). Please email [liv@ndkpresents.com](mailto:liv@ndkpresents.com) with any access queries, requests or feedback, or message me here on Meetup! **Partners** Our drag and short acts are sourced through emerging performers' networks including Above Your Nerve theatre company. We are funded by Arts Council England's National Lottery Project Grants. **Tickets** [Tickets via Outsavvy](https://www.outsavvy.com/event/32322/neurodivergent-karneval) £5-14 Or from the venue direct https://hoxtonhall.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173673639 UPDATE: low income tix sold out on Outsavvy but the venue link has some left! We're a not-for-profit event. Ticket prices reflect our commitment to paying artists a fair wage. We also want everyone to be able to come to NDK. Please select a **Community Ticket** if needed.

**‼️Note: We're experiencing some major technical issues with Meetup, which means our group page and all events will unfortunately be closing down soon.** **Follow us on [WhatsApp](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbCZyvCD38CTaXBpQ72V) or [Luma](https://luma.com/offlinewomen) to continue being part of our community!** Join us for a screen-free Offline Women Sunset in the Park to enjoy the fresh air and end the week in nature. Close the laptop and trade the screen glare for the evening glow. This is a simple, tech-free space to decompress from the work week. We’re heading to Regent’s Park to just sit, hang out on the grass, and watch the sun go down. We’ll meet at Queen Mary's Rose Gardens for a gentle wander through the flowers and the park. As the "Golden Hour" starts, we’ll find a peaceful spot to sit, chat, and watch the sky change. Bring a blanket and some snacks if you like, or just show up as you are. Showing up is the first step toward connection and belonging. To celebrate you for taking that step, our member and friend [Meixin Sun | Stories & Conversations on Growth](https://ms2836.wixsite.com/meixincapital/spiritual-capital) has generously provided a gift card for one lucky attendee to win. Join us offline to find out how it could be you!

Have you ever wanted to partake in hikes where you get exposed to new areas with luscious forms of nature, some amazing views and possibly some hidden gems? If so, this may be the right event for you. Welcome to another Hiking event where all of this is possible. This is the opportunity to form friendships, discover a different perspective of London, improve your fitness, embrace nature but also feel great about yourself. With this particular Hike, we’ll be hiking from Richmond to Boston Manor. We’ll be traversing along the Thames and the grand union canal but also make new discoveries too. This is also part of the capital ring which is a 78 mile pathway split into 15 hiking routes. This is section 7. If you want to be part of the journey, feel free to join us. My fellow explorers, if you enjoyed the event, I’m more than happy to accept any donations which of course are optional but will go a long way to help me unlock and deliver even more exciting and engaging events and resources: https://www.paypal.me/calvinjoy Starting point: Richmond Ending point: Boston Manor Walking length: 6.4km Duration: 2 hours Required clothing: Smart casual, comfortable shoes and a jacket in case it gets cold
Departure: 20 minutes after the meeting time. WHAT - Hike WHERE - Richmond to Boston Manor WHEN - 2pm - 5pm MEETING POINT - Outside Richmond Station NEAREST STATION - Richmond Station REQUIREMENTS - Just your good behaviour is all and whatever is listed above for the walk. Disclaimers: Please be on your best behaviour and respect one another. This group doesn’t tolerate any misbehaviour and misconduct. Should such a thing take place, you will be removed. If you ask a question that either already has the answer to it or doesn’t relate to the event at all, I won’t respond. Whenever an event takes place, I will cut off contact 20 minutes after the event commences. If you message even 1 minute after the cut off time, I won’t be available as I’m conducting the event. There will be photography and videography by myself so if you are photo conscious and/or do not want to be in the video, do kindly inform me and I’ll try my utmost best to not involve you in the picture. Let’s all be responsible but please be aware you come at your own risk. Do be mindful of your possessions, belongings and most importantly, your safety. The ‘London society of explorers’ accept no risk of liability at this event.

WE WILL SOON BE LIMITING SPACES DUE TO DEMAND **Social Saturday Sessions** is a **FREE** indoor & outdoor social designed to help people meet new mates, have a few drinks, play some games and enjoy a low-pressure night with genuinely good vibes. **Come solo. Leave social. JOIN OUR WHATSAPP COMMUNITY HERE:** [https://chat.whatsapp.com/CpmuQWTBGJ12dVNCfXdJdQ?mode=gi_t](https://chat.whatsapp.com/CpmuQWTBGJ12dVNCfXdJdQ?mode=gi_t) PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT IF YOU WANT KARAOKE OR DJ's TILL LATE **What's the Plan?? 👀** * **Start time: 7PM 🍹** Head to the front-of-house desk and say you're here for the Meet Up! Try to arrive before 7:30 so we can make sure everyone finds each other :) * **Early evening – Games & icebreakers 🎮** Fun, low-key ways to get chatting (zero cringe, promise). * **Mid-evening – Mingle mode 💬** More chats, more drinks, more “how did we all end up here?” moments. * **Later on – Anything goes 🔥** Karaoke? Dancing? Bit of both? We’ll see where the night takes us. * **All night – Good people, good energy ✨** No pressure, no expectations—just show up and see what happens. Need help finding us? Our entrance can be found at what3words: https://w3w.co/putty.camera.roof **JOIN OUR WHATSAPP COMMUNITY HERE:** https://chat.whatsapp.com/CpmuQWTBGJ12dVNCfXdJdQ?mode=gi_t **Come solo. Leave social.** Just head to the main entrance (the food hall side), and you’ll find our friendly hosts waiting for you behind the front desk!

🚨 Spoiler alert: We built the space we couldn’t find. A place where you can show up alone, say hi first, and meet new people naturally. If you’re ready to expand your circle, you’re in the right place. You can check us out on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/_balancers/) 📸🚨 🌴 SUMMER PARTY SPECIAL EDITION 🌴 **This Saturday we're bringing a little extra summer energy to one of our favourite venues.** **Expect flower garlands, glow sticks, summer vibes, a large outdoor space to enjoy the warm evening, and a room full of people looking to make the most of the season.** We'll still have everything that makes a Balancers night special, but with a more festive summer atmosphere throughout the evening. And for those who aren't ready to call it a night, we'll be heading to a different after-party venue to keep the good times going. ☀️ Start your summer the right way. Here’s the Plan: **7:30 PM – Find Your Team** As soon as the event begins, you’ll receive a card with simple instructions to help you find your teammates among the other attendees. It’s a fun and easy way to start conversations with people in the room. **08:15 PM – Team Challenges Begin** Once teams are formed, the challenges start. The first 3 teams to complete all three challenges win free shots🍹 No skills needed. Just jump in, have a laugh and work together. **09:00 PM – Open Social & Mingling** Once the challenges wrap up, the room opens up. This is the moment to mix, chat and get to know new people. **10:00 PM – Music** The DJ takes over and the night shifts into a more relaxed social vibe. Chat, dance and keep the connections going. ⚠️ Please note: Entry is not guaranteed after 10:00 PM **11:30 PM – After Party** For those who want to keep the night going, we’ll head to a venue close by for the after party. ⚠️Please bring ID if you plan to join the after party. ✨ Pro tip Try to arrive by 7:30 PM to enjoy the full experience. 🔹 Many people come alone. That’s completely normal here. 🔹 Our hosts are on the floor helping people meet and get involved. 🔹 Most attendees join through our app, so the Meetup “Going” list represents only a small portion of the actual crowd. **[📲 Download our app](https://onelink.to/balancers)** You can connect with people you meet, access ticket deals, track rewards and see the photo gallery from the night. **[💬 Join our WhatsApp Community](https://chat.whatsapp.com/IJKXDkwUTlmDsYTOCIUg7O)** for last-minute updates and reminders. **Our pillars are Openness, Respect, Inclusivity, Kindness and Authenticity**. *Attendance at this event is subject to our [Code of Conduct](https://www.balancers.app/code-of-conduct) and [Terms of Service](https://www.balancers.app/term-of-service). By joining, you may receive emails about Balancers events and community updates. You can unsubscribe at any time.*

Have you ever wanted to be immersed within either the city or nature in the form of a walk and socialise at the same time? If so, this may be the right walk for you. Welcome to another one of the WALK events where you have the opportunity to explore all the scenic routes I’ll execute whether there’s nature within, whether we get immersed within the city and feel great about yourself.

With this particular walk, we will be walking through Green park. During this walk, you get immersed within nature and familiar with the park itself but most importantly, you have the opportunity to feel healthy and stress free after this walk and possibly the opportunity to form friendships. After this walk, we will be heading to ‘Venchi’ for Ice cream and chocolates if you wish. ‘Venchi’ began over 145 years ago through the experimentation of chocolate and over the years, they’ve not expanded on their creativity with gelato too but also share their creations in over 70 countries. It feels like an elegant version of ‘Charlie and the chocolate factory’. To learn more, check them out at https://uk.venchi.com My fellow explorers, if you enjoyed the event, I’m more than happy to accept any donations which of course are optional but will go a long way to help me unlock and deliver even more exciting and engaging events and resources: https://www.paypal.me/calvinjoy 


Starting point: Green park Station
Ending point: Green Park Station
Walking length: 2.7km
Duration: 45 minutes - 1 hour
Required clothing: Smart casual, comfortable shoes and a jacket in case it gets cold
Departure: 20 minutes after the meeting time.

WHAT - Walk in Green park
WHERE - Green park
WHEN - 7:15pm - 9:15pm
MEETING POINT - Outside Green park station near the fountain
NEAREST STATION - Green park tube Station
REQUIREMENTS - Just your good behaviour is all and whatever is listed above for the walk.

 Disclaimers: Please be on your best behaviour and respect one another. This group doesn’t tolerate any misbehaviour and misconduct. Should such a thing take place, you will be removed. If you ask a question that either already has the answer to it or doesn’t relate to the event at all, I won’t respond. Whenever an event takes place, I will cut off contact 20 minutes after the event commences. If you message even 1 minute after the cut off time, I won’t be available as I’m conducting the event. There will be photography and videography by myself so if you are photo conscious and/or do not want to be in the video, do kindly inform me and I’ll try my utmost best to not involve you in the picture. Let’s all be responsible but please be aware you come at your own risk. Do be mindful of your possessions, belongings and most importantly, your safety. The ‘London society of explorers’ accept no risk of liability at this event.

Have you ever wanted to be immersed within either the city or nature in the form of a walk and socialise at the same time? If so, this may be the right walk for you. Welcome to another one of the WALK events where you have the opportunity to explore all the scenic routes I’ll execute whether there’s nature within, whether we get immersed within the city and feel great about yourself. 

With this particular walk, we will be walking through Gunnersbury Park. Gunnersbury Park is another beautiful park that offers some beautiful sceneries of nature, the fountain, some historical monuments and much more. 

After this walk, if all goes well, we can do an aftermath and let democracy decide. My fellow explorers, if you enjoyed the event, I’m more than happy to accept any donations which of course are optional but will go a long way to help me unlock and deliver even more exciting and engaging events and resources: https://www.paypal.me/calvinjoy 

Starting point: Acton Town Station
Ending point: Acton Town Station
Walking length: 2 miles
Duration: 1 hour +
Required clothing: Smart casual, comfortable shoes and a jacket in case it gets cold
Departure: 20 minutes after the meeting time. 

WHAT - Walk through Gunnersbury Park
WHERE - Gunnersbury Park
WHEN - 6pm - 8:30pm
MEETING POINT - Outside Acton Town Station
NEAREST STATION - Acton Town Station
REQUIREMENTS - Just your good behaviour is all and whatever is listed above for the walk. Disclaimers: Please be on your best behaviour and respect one another. This group doesn’t tolerate any misbehaviour and misconduct. Should such a thing take place, you will be removed. If you ask a question that either already has the answer to it or doesn’t relate to the event at all, I won’t respond. Whenever an event takes place, I will cut off contact 20 minutes after the event commences. If you message even 1 minute after the cut off time, I won’t be available as I’m conducting the event. There will be photography and videography by myself so if you are photo conscious and/or do not want to be in the video, do kindly inform me and I’ll try my utmost best to not involve you in the picture. Let’s all be responsible but please be aware you come at your own risk. Do be mindful of your possessions, belongings and most importantly, your safety. The ‘London society of explorers’ accept no risk of liability at this event.

**Another Summer weekend. And to make the most of the warmer weather - we've got your Sunday sorted again with our next Social Walk and Pub trip, exclusively for 20s and 30s.** Yep for our latest social walk, we'll be heading to one of the most stunning walking spots in the city - the canals of Little Venice ☀️ As always, to start the event, you will be allocated a group/team for an initial mix of fun games designed to get people talking and help you to get to know some of the other participants on the walk a little better. After the games, we'll then set off on our 2-3 hour social walk from along London's most famous canals 🚣 We will start be wandering through the very heart of Little Venice, home to a stunning collection of houseboats and eye-catching architecture. We will then join the Grand Union canal, heading past Paddington, North Kensington and Kensal Green 🌳 We'll then finish up at a canal-side pub - where you can grab a drink, a bite to eat (if you want it) and get to know your fellow hikers a bit better! As always, sadly we will be having to cap numbers when we near our capacity limit and so do make sure you nab your place as soon as you can! **\- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \-** **WHERE/WHEN WE WILL MEET** Meet Point: Rembrandt Gardens, Little Venice, 6 Warwick Ave, London W2 1XB (See location: [https://bit.ly/3lrdQ1L](https://bit.ly/3lrdQ1L)) Closest stations: Warwick Avenue (5 mins walk), Royal Oak (10 min walk), Paddington (10 min walk) Destination: Grand Junction Arms Meet Time - 2:00pm Finish time: 5:00pm **\- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \-** **JOIN THE COMMUNITY** Set up in November 2021, The Great Friendship Project was set up to help 20s and 30s meet, connect and hopefully build life-long friendships. To help make this happen, we host all kinds of events from free social walks, games evenings, day trips, social events, activity nights to picnics. To learn more about our community or to follow us on social media, please follow one of the links below. **Website - [https://friendship-project.co.uk](https://friendship-project.co.uk/)** **Instagram - [https://www.instagram.com/great.friendship](https://www.instagram.com/great.friendship)**

Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you! **What to Expect at the Intro Circle** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup: * Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics Round 1 - (7 secs max): * Your name * What you're working on * What you can help others with Round 2: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. Round 3: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!

# 🎈 Meet Someone New: Toledo Speed Dating on Zoom _An evening of face-to-face Zoom rounds, Toledo singles your speed, and your matches landing in your inbox by morning._ **How it all works:** 1. Sign up and answer a few quick personality questions 2. Hop onto Zoom right as we kick off 3. Chat one-on-one through guided rounds 4. Wake up to your mutual matches in your inbox --- **Pick your group below and you're in:** 💘 **Ages 18-32** → [Grab your spot](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=574&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Toledo&groupurlname=cityscape-navigators-park-orienteering-team&ar=18-32&face_v=9.0) 💘 **Ages 30-46** → [Grab your spot](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=574&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Toledo&groupurlname=cityscape-navigators-park-orienteering-team&ar=30-46&face_v=9.0) 💘 **Ages 40-58** → [Grab your spot](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=574&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Toledo&groupurlname=cityscape-navigators-park-orienteering-team&ar=40-58&face_v=9.0) 💘 **Ages 55+** → [Grab your spot](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=574&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Toledo&groupurlname=cityscape-navigators-park-orienteering-team&ar=55+&face_v=9.0) > ⚠️ One thing: hitting RSVP here doesn't reserve anything. You're only in once you register through your age link and finish the quiz — and seats are limited. **Show up curious — the rest is on us. 💕**

The only Metro Park with a fire tower! **History** [Scioto Grove Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/scioto-grove/) officially became the 19th park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system when it opened to the public on May 6, 2016. Located along a scenic bend of the Scioto River in Grove City, just south of Columbus, the 620-acre park was designed to blend preservation with modern recreation. Long before it became a park, this river corridor served as a vital footpath and trade route for Indigenous communities. Decades later, the mature forests and dramatic river bluffs caught the eye of conservationists looking to expand regional green spaces. The grand opening was a major milestone, drawing over 19,000 visitors in its very first weekend. The creation of the park was made possible through a sequence of land acquisitions and strong community partnerships. In October 2009, Franklin County voters approved a critical property tax levy that funded the initial purchase of 66 acres. Shortly after, the City of Grove City generously donated nearly 193 acres of land, previously known as Talbot Park, to anchor the project. Additional parcels were acquired using state grants from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund, successfully closing the gap between properties by December 2012. This collaborative funding model ensured that pristine wilderness areas remained completely protected from commercial development. From its inception, the park aimed to introduce innovative amenities to the regional park system, most notably the concept of "urban backpacking". Through a key partnership with the outdoor gear retailer REI Co-op, the park established the scenic REI River Trail. This trail features five rustic, reservation-only campsites along the river, specifically designed to give newcomers a safe place to practice backpacking close to home. Additionally, planners prioritized making the park fully pet-friendly, allowing leashed dogs across all trails and areas. This open-pet policy uniquely distinguished Scioto Grove from many other traditional Columbus Metro Parks. As the park grew in popularity, community members established special commemorative landmarks to honor local lives. In June 2019, a dedicated memorial garden was unveiled near the park entrance in memory of Reagan Tokes, an Ohio State University student. The serene space features a central pond bordered by bright blue flowers, representing her favorite color. A primary buckeye tree stands alongside a dedicated plaque, surrounded by four additional buckeye trees to represent her immediate family members. This addition transformed a portion of the park into a meaningful place for community reflection, healing, and peace. The historical depth of the park took a significant leap forward with the relocation of a massive piece of Ohio history. In August 2023, Metro Parks officially unveiled the Keystone Forest Lookout Tower, which had been carefully moved from Jackson County, Ohio. Originally constructed in 1942 by the Aermotor Windmill Company, the 82-foot-tall metal structure spent decades guarding southern Ohio’s vast forests from devastating wildfires. Workers painstakingly disassembled, re-galvanized, and reassembled the historic landmark at Scioto Grove. Today, visitors can climb its 111 steep steps to experience a panoramic view stretching all the way to the downtown Columbus skyline. **Map of the Park** Here is a [map of Scioto Grove](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/SGR-map_1980px_2026.jpg). **Summary** We will hike around 5 miles on the Overlook, REI River, Mingo, and Arrowhead Trails. While the configuration of the trails can lead us to occasionally taking longer hikes than at other parks, Scioto Grove is not generally a very strenuous place to hike. If you use hiking poles and inadvertently forget them, this is not a park where you're likely to end up caring that much. That said, Scioto Grove is one of the better Metro Parks for hiking as well as other things. They are the only Metro Park with five camping areas where you can literally pitch a tent and sleep for the night. You must contact the park and reserve these in advance; they are however free. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area, near the restrooms and playground. Arrowhead is the main picnic and parking area of the park, and it also has the only water fountain at Scioto Grove. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Grove City Brewing](https://www.grovecitybrewery.com/) for [drinks and food](https://www.grovecitybrewery.com/menu). They have pretty good hamburgers. I was mortified to discover that I've never had their [Grove City Hooyah](https://www.beermenus.com/beers/486553-grove-city-hooyah) before, but I will correct that during this event. The actual address of the brewery is [3946 Broadway, Grove City, OH 43123](https://www.google.com/maps/place/3946+Broadway,+Grove+City,+OH+43123/@39.8836912,-83.0919635,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88389b3a28d0f4ad:0x3d85c41f608406c6!8m2!3d39.8836912!4d-83.0919635!16s%2Fg%2F11g8dh6h1_?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks.

Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you! **What to Expect at the Intro Circle** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup: * Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics Round 1 - (7 secs max): * Your name * What you're working on * What you can help others with Round 2: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. Round 3: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!

**Summary** The [Ohio State Fair](https://www.ohiostatefair.com/) is consistently ranked as one of the [best](https://www.realpropertymgt.com/expert-tips/top-5-state-fairs) ... [state](https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-state-fair/) ... [fairs](https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/local/2025/08/06/ohio-state-fair-named-top-fair-nation-usa-today/85527343007/) ... [in](https://www.blueribbongroup.net/blue-ribbon-foodies/tag/what-are-the-best-state-fairs-in-the-united-states/) ... [America](https://614now.com/2025/explore-columbus/usa-today-names-the-ohio-state-fair-as-one-of-the-countrys-best-find-out-where-it-ranked-here). By [acreage](https://www.google.com/search?q=largest+state+fairs+in+us+by+acreage&client=firefox-b-1-d&sca_esv=5a1ec5f7868eb06c&prmd=ivns&sxsrf=AE3TifOrRyB0UF_zcJxuzJ2blALpROCfFA:1763485805100&source=lnms&fbs=AIIjpHxU7SXXniUZfeShr2fp4giZPH5QghoXViUOqdFyhkUfHhA90f6RZnLvcDKUWyhDavFJHvqNnhR_vnElk0C8uWstYqkR_Pamh3VQhx9plk87wYYnFhXCtQ6JPByPAvG0_LeyIQszFojQ7tWAfAvDzo6MwRJuWxS0jrzFWBkVvjkxbHuA6PTQnwEl88m-YBBItnTFmNlR9xZ9YLttetzKJB1GAWacLg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiX3-rHmPyQAxU6_8kDHcKPH1gQ0pQJegQIBRAF&biw=1735&bih=926&dpr=1), it's one of the five largest fairs in the country. And a million people [visit](https://www.statenews.org/government-politics/2025-08-06/attendance-off-slightly-at-2025-ohio-state-fair-but-sales-of-champions-was-up-big) it each year. Last year's [attendees](https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/nearly-1-million-visitors-2025-ohio-state-fair-fun-facts-statistics/530-e6c7db59-e9ca-469b-9d3e-ef39011aca00) came from each of Ohio's 88 counties, from all 50 states, and from as far away as 26 other countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, and others, according to Ticketmaster sales data. **Map of the Fair** Here is a [map of the grounds](https://cdn.saffire.com/images.ashx?t=ig&rid=OhioStateFair&i=map2025.jpg&cb=0508a2a3). **Directions, Parking, Tickets, Timing** Take exit 111 (17th Avenue) off of I-71. Turn west (toward the McDonald's). [Parking is $10](https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/visit/pricing-hours) whether you pay in advance or on-site. It's generally not too bad getting in and out of the fair. You generally get an excellent spot, too, early in the mornings. There are cops everywhere and they will let you know where to park. [Tickets will be $13](https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/visit/pricing-hours), but through July 26, you can buy them online for $9. You can also buy 3- and 12-day admission tickets in advance for $24 and $84, respectively. I've scheduled this meetup from 9 to 3, but you can obviously come late or leave early if you want. They will also stamp your hand for free same-day re-admission if you want. The fair is a big place. You will get plenty of steps in at this event, so be prepared to do some walking! **Outside Items** From the [FAQ](https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/visit/faqs): * *Bags* "Purses, backpacks, book bags, coolers, strollers, etc. are permitted, but are subject to search. Bag searches will also be conducted for guests entering concerts and events in the WCOL Celeste Center." * *Outside Food and Beverage* "You may bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages. Glass bottles and containers are not permitted on grounds." I like to bring a disposable plastic bottle of water with me and refill it on the grounds as I go. **What's New at the Fair** They've spent the last couple years doing major construction at the fair, and most if not all of it should be completed by the start of this year's fair. They've been massively overhauling what's located at the heart of the fairgrounds just north of Kiddleland and just west of the Midway, they're supposed to also have completed improvements to the Dairy Building. In the center of the fairgrounds, there's supposed to be a new food hall, which I would consider to be the centerpiece of the whole shebang. It's supposed to [include](https://www.ohioexpocenter.com/p/about/expo-2050-master-plan) "multi-purpose dining and event space and incubator kitchens on the first floor, and additional dining and event space on the second story." Furthermore, "both levels [will] include outdoor dining on a patio or balcony." A new "Town Square" and surrounding area will also feature a permanent "Ohio-themed carousel" that will also be "complete with ample shade and seating." The new Dairy Building will be air-conditioned and add public restrooms, a universal changing table, and other new amenities. Four hundred and sixty million dollars have been spent on these improvements and renovations, and I expect they will be very cool! **Where We'll Meet** At no later than 9 a.m., I'll be standing by the giant cardinal just inside Cardinal Gate 1, then we'll wander down to Tracey's (see below). If you come late, Tracey's is where you'll find us (DM me or drop a note in the comments if you need help finding us after you arrive). *Note: There's a smaller Tracey's booth near the main entrance. This is not the Tracey's location we'll be meeting at. You will have to walk down to the Bricker Marketplace to get to the correct Tracey's. There's more information on this, below, in the "What We'll Do" section.* If you want to come later in the day, drop me a note and I'll help you navigate to us or I'll come find you if that's feasible. **What We'll Do** This will be sort of a soft itinerary, depending on the interests of the group. The following is based on last year's [fair schedule](https://www.ohiostatefair.com/events), and might need to be changed depending on this year's schedule. But the overall fair schedule doesn't normally change that radically year-over-year. * 9:00 a.m. - *Tracey's* Tracey's is located at the northernmost part of the "WNCI Food Highway," just south of Brown Arena and at the northern corner of the Bricker Marketplace. They have a covered area with picnic tables where you can sit. They have one of the most varied food selections at the fair. They serve breakfast in the mornings, including eggs, bacon, and pancakes. We'll meet here and start our day by socializing over coffee and, if you want, breakfast. Last year, the pancakes with bacon was $7. You got two pancakes that I would describe as average-sized, and a couple strips of bacon. They gave me extra syrup for free. Both the pancakes and the bacon were actually pretty good. Their coffee is generally good, too. They also serve their coffee in Styrofoam cups, which I like because good coffee is more important to me than the environment. I've posted pics, below, of last year's Tracey's menu, as well as a picture of the venue itself relative to the main entrance of the Bricker Marketplace (this entrance faces the Celeste Center). * 10:00 a.m. - *Kasich Hall* Here they have the Ohio State Fair history exhibit, which is very cool. This building also hosts the creative exhibits, including quilts, cakes and pastries, and fair posters. Finally, events like girls' baton competitions, girls' cheerleading, youth choir, and youth boxing (my favorite) are held here. * 11:00 a.m. - *Lausche Youth Exploration Space* This building features 4-H exhibits, Boy and Girl Scout exhibits, and various science exhibits, with the latter including exhibits from COSI and the Ohio State Physics Department. You can also buy Girl Scout cookies here! * 12:00 a.m. - *Bricker Marketplace* Bricker Marketplace is the fair's main flea market. It's a huge indoor shopping area with a food court at its center. The [ODOT](https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/) booth is here, and I always like to check and see if they have any maps I want. Because Bricker is air-conditioned, it's a good place to stop for lunch. There are booths here with burgers, pizza, chicken, Asian food, and alcoholic beverages. * 1:00 p.m. - *Cox Fine Arts* There are art displays here -- paintings, drawings, sculptures, and such. I always like going through here, and people usually like the displays here. * 2:00 p.m. - *Natural Resources Park* The Natural Resources Park is next to Kiddieland, and I think it's the best area of the fair. It's certainly a very popular area. The Timber Show is popular, though I confess to finding it slightly overrated. This area also includes youth fishing, a kayak pond, archery range, butterfly house, aviary, and animal exhibits -- and these are all free. You can also get free chap stick and pens in the [Oil & Gas building](https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-ODNR/oil-gas/oil-gas). The chap stick is functional, though perhaps a bit mediocre, but the pens are absolutely the best possible pens you can get anywhere, and I'm being completely serious about this. These are seriously my all-time favorite pens, so I encourage you to grab a few. **Other Things Along the Way** Again, the Ohio State Fair is a big place! So here are some of the other things we might check out along the way: * *The* *Cincinnati Circus Company, The Nerveless Nocks, Lady Houdini, or some other "death-defying" act* These typically start at 1:30 and run once every two hours in the afternoon. The show is generally decent and worth catching, whatever it happens to be. These used to run at the south end of the fair by the south gate on 11th Avenue, but a couple years ago they moved them to the south end of the Midway and next to Natural Resources Park. My guess is that this is where they will be again this year. * *Main Street Stage / Gazebo Stage* These stages are at opposite ends of the "WNCI Food Highway." They'll have shows like live music, magic, hypnosis, juggling, and the like. I usually end up seeing most of the shows, almost by accident, during my annual trips to the fair. If there's music at the Gazebo, though, it can be a little loud if the performer is using a big amp. But otherwise the shows are generally entertaining, if not spectacular. If [The Beach Geeks](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1440916777197254) are playing again this year, we are absolutely dropping everything to check them out. I'll fight people on this. * *The Midway* I'm not a big *riding*-the-rides person, and I doubt we will go through here though unless there's interest. However, I do really enjoy *watching* people ride rides, so I never have a problem taking a stroll down the Midway. I do like doing bumper cars, though, as well as some of the various haunted or fun houses. If you think there's a snowball's chance in hell I'm doing the [Defender](https://talleyamusements.com/attraction/defender/), though, then please put the bong down and slowly back away. * *The Dairy Building* This is where the famous Butter Cow is, and the exhibit is always popular. You can also get fairly overpriced ice cream and milkshakes here. Unless something changes here because of their renovations, there are cheaper places at the fair where you can get dairy desserts, and I can show you where they are. * *Taft Coliseum* An indoor arena where they have rodeo- or cowboy/cowgirl-type shows. Sometimes these shows are very good and entertaining and worth checking out. Note that, while you're out of the sun here and the seating is generally good, the arena is not air-conditioned. If trick riders [Tracie Spitznogle](https://www.tiktok.com/discover/tracie-lee-spitzongle) and [Carlie Hale](https://www.facebook.com/trickriderCarlie/) are here, you are likely to enjoy their show, and it will be free (and well-attended). * *The Petting Zoo* & *Pig Races* These used to be in Kiddieland, but in 2025 they were moved to "The Barnyard," next to the Gazebo Stage and the Celeste Center. I suspect they'll have moved again in 2026, but that they will otherwise be back. They're both free and generally popular, with the Pig Races being *extremely* popular. The woman who does the announcing for the Races always delivers the exact same script year after year, but she has so much charisma you won't care, even if you've seen it many times before. * *Central Park* Sometimes I like to just sit here, people-watch, and listen to the sounds of the fair. There are typically several beer vendors right next to Central Park if you want to relax and nurse a beverage while you do so, and the Dairy Building is also very close by. This area may end up being superseded in desirability by the new "Town Square." The Park does suffer from a paucity of shade, and the Square is supposed to rectify some of this. We will see! * *Live Music* There is likely to be some sort of band performing classic rock from something like 2p-5p either in the Taste of Ohio Pavilion next to the Natural Resources Park, or in the Pavilion's replacement/renovated area near the new Town Square. The show will be free and highly likely to be quite good. You should be able to get drinks and food here, too (wherever the ultimate location is), while you check out the band. * *Zultar - Fortune Teller* I saw this guy for the first time last year. He's one of the fair's "strolling entertainers," meaning he takes his act all over the fair and you never know where he will show up next. He's got a "booth" and he wears a costume and face paint that make him look exactly like one of those fortune-telling-booth mannequins. He is completely hilarious (particularly when dealing with children), and if we see him, we will stop and watch him. Don't make me fight you on this, too, people. * *Ohio History Center* Buying a ticket to enter the Ohio State Fair will automatically get you free admission to the [Ohio History Center](https://www.ohiohistory.org/visit/ohio-history-center/) and [Ohio Village](https://www.ohiohistory.org/visit/ohio-village/), which are located just outside the fairgrounds but otherwise are just next door. They've been doing major renovations of the Village, but these are supposed to be completed by the time the State Fair opens this year. You can walk from the fair to the History Center and the Village, or they have a free shuttle you can take. It's not a short walk, but it's also eminently doable. The History Center is a museum that's really not too terribly big, but is very interesting. And the Village is a living simulation of life in a small 19th-century Ohio town. I suspect most of the people who come out this Meetup would probably enjoy both the Center and the Village. Just keep in mind, though, that if we go, we'll probably be up there for at least a couple hours, which means less time at the fair. However, you won't have to twist my arm to get me to go up, because the whole History complex is actually pretty cool. **Conclusion** Come on out to the Ohio State Fair! 🥳 🎉 😄

Now in its 26th year, [The Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival](https://www.creeksidebluesandjazz.com/), in Gahanna, gathers world famous groups and performers at a single place for you to enjoy the best Blues & Jazz in Ohio. *SATURDAY NIGHT features: The Urban Jazz Coalition with Special Guest Brian Simpson, North Mississippi Allstars, The Deal Breakers & More.* The three-day cultural celebration features musicians on 3 stages, local food trucks and beverage stations, treats, artisans, and more. **Tickets are $15 for adults online.** Link to purchase tickets: [Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival Tickets](https://tickets.creeksidebluesandjazz.com/e/2026-creekside-blues-jazz-festival). $20 at the door. Military are free. WHAT: Here's the festival [EVENT MAP](https://www.creeksidebluesandjazz.com/Event-Map/). Also, here's the [SCHEDULE](https://www.creeksidebluesandjazz.com/Schedule/) map to help you determine who to see. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **Parking -** The Creekside Parking Garage will be open throughout the festival weekend. Entrance is located near the intersection of Mill and North Streets; accessible only by traveling south on Mill Street. **Event parking rate is $5 and collected at entrance to garage. Cash ONLY is accepted at garage entrance for parking.** Although off street parking in the Creekside District is permitted, it is very limited and not recommended. **Shuttle Service** pickup will be at the following location: [AEP Ohio 700 Morrison Rd., Gahanna, OH](https://goo.gl/maps/K9GgvgEdxCHaXsKDA) **Shuttle Service Hours:** Saturday: 1 PM - 12 AM **BRING**: *Be sure to bring a **chair** since there is limited available seating. Also $ or paycard for food and drink.*