What we’re about
We are a friendly, upbeat walking group with members typically aged 30s-60s, providing a mixed programme of walks every weekend, as well as social events, weekends away, and other activities.
We are part of the national Ramblers, so for a one off yearly fee of £43.00 you can come along to any of our events. We hope that once you have walked with us a few times you will be tempted to join us as a member of the West Kent Walking Group
**For general enquires about the group contact us by email at: enquires_wkwg@outlook.com**
You can get full membership of the group by joining the Ramblers' Association at: Join the Ramblers ( when asked to choose group select West Kent Walking Group). By becoming a full member, you'll get to hear first about weekends away, meals out, extra events for Ramblers Members that aren't on the Meetup programme, plus you'll get a 15% discount at Cotswold Outdoor stores, 5% off at Cottages4you, a discount on HF walking holidays, as well as a quarterly Ramblers mag, and full online access to the Ramblers database of walks across the country.
Check out our group website at: http://www.westkentwalkinggroup.org.uk/ and our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/westkentwalking.
Upcoming events
8
Chelwood Gate, The Forest Garden and Birch Grove (9 miles)
"Long" car park, on the A.22 near Wych Cross, RH18 5JN, GBWe head Southeast across Ashdown Forest, passing the Old Air Strip built in the early 1940s by the Canadian army for use in World War II, then through heathland and around Chelwood Vachery to the Forest Garden created shortly before 1910 by Sir Stuart Samuel. On to Chelwood Corner and then heading South passing Chelwood Farm with views of the South Downs. We then turn West to Box’s lane and on to Chelwood Gate for a picnic lunch at the Fairy Cottage.
After lunch we head into the Birch Grove Estate which was the former family home of Harold Macmillan. Then passing Lizards Cricket Club we come to Macmillan Clump before heading North passed Gale House which was the home of Robert Cecil, 1st Viscount Cecil of Chelwood.
We pass Kennedy and Wych Cross Clumps on our way back to the start.
Subject to walk leaders approval we do allow well behaved dogs under full control of their owner. If you wish to bring your dog on the walk, please check with the walk leader before arriving for the walk.
Please note that there is a £2 payment required for non-Ramblers members to help cover our Meetup costs. Please help the walk leader by bringing the exact change.
Members of the Ramblers Association are welcome on any of our walks, but we would still encourage you to RSVP on Meetup. This will give our volunteer walk leaders an idea of how many are attending, and also to keep the numbers manageable. If, on the day of the walk, you are still on the waiting list and a Ramblers member, you can attend just let the walk leader know you are coming by adding a comment 'Coming as a Rambler'. You will find the start location via our website Our Walks (westkentwalkinggroup.org.uk).26 attendees
Paul L's Dene Park Walk (6.4 miles)
Dene Park, Puttenden Road, Shipbourne, TN11 9RJ, Tunbridge Wells, GBThis is a lassoo shaped walk through the woodland of Dene Park and through the fields to the Southwest of Shipbourne.
Relatively easy, though likely to be muddy in places.
As the walk is fairly short there will be no scheduled stops and there are no facilities at the start or en route. Afterwards, we can go to Poult Wood Golf club (its 0.7 miles away in Higham Lane) for drinks or lunch. Food is reasonably priced and there is no need to be a member. Alternatively The Chaser at Shipbourne is just 5 minutes away.
There is a free car park at Dene Park - its a reasonable size but if you're able to lift share it will leave spaces for others.
Subject to walk leaders approval we allow well-behaved dogs under full control of their owner. If you wish to bring your dog on the walk, please check with the walk leader before arriving for the walk.
Please note that there is a £2 payment required for non-Ramblers members to help cover our Meetup costs. Please help the walk leader by bringing the exact change.
Members of the Ramblers Association are welcome on any of our walks, but we would still encourage you to RSVP on Meetup. This will give our volunteer walk leaders an idea of how many are attending, and also to keep the numbers manageable. If, on the day of the walk, you are still on the waiting list and a Ramblers member, you can attend just let the walk leader know you are coming by adding a comment 'Coming as a Rambler'. You will find the start location via our website Our Walks (westkentwalkinggroup.org.uk).8 attendees
Capital Ring 4. Earlsfield to Richmond Linear Walk (8.5 miles)
Earlsfield station, Garratt Lane, London SW18 4SL (map), London, GBThis is the 4th of our Capital Ring walks and is the final leg on the southside until we arrive back in Woolwich next year. There is no obligation to do all of them - you can pick and choose the ones that you fancy
We will meet outside Earlsfield station at 10.30am. For those who like to arrive early there are lots of coffee shops in the area
We start by making our way around the back of the shops and cross the River Wandle. This is one of the fastest flowing rivers in London which used to be well known for trout fishing until soap, chemical and firework production came into the area. We head up past Wimbledon Park Station to then walk through Wimbledon Park which was redesigned by Capability Brown in the mid 18th century. After a short burst of suburbia we head onto Putney Heath and Wimbledon Common (cue the Wombles) where we will stop at a great coffee shop for lunch. If you see any flashes of red – these will be golfers from the London Scottish Golf Club who are required to wear red when playing. We then follow the trail by the side of Spankers Hill Wood (please enter your own jokes at this point) walking to the other side of stunning Richmond Park. Finally we drop down through Richmond to the Thames for our finish at Richmond station.
This is a no dog walk.
Please note that there is a £2 payment required for non-Ramblers members to help cover our Meetup costs. Please help the walk leader by bringing the exact change.
Members of the Ramblers Association are welcome on any of our walks, but we would still encourage you to RSVP on Meetup. This will give our volunteer walk leaders an idea of how many are attending, and also to keep the numbers manageable. If, on the day of the walk, you are still on the waiting list and a Ramblers member, you can attend just let the walk leader know you are coming by adding a comment 'Coming as a Rambler'. You will find the start location via our website Our Walks (westkentwalkinggroup.org.uk).10 attendees
Helen W and Heather's Oxted Walk (7 miles)
Ellice Road Car Park, Oxted, Ellice Road, RH8 0PY, Oxted, GB7-mile circular walk from Oxted. Parts on the Greensand Way and parts on the Vanguard Way. Through woodlands and farmland with good views north and south. Across Limpsfield Chart and through a community orchard. Some interesting buildings along the way. Easy walk to start from Oxted railway station. NO DOGS.
Parking in Ellice Rd car park Oxted is free on a Sunday. Please car share and arrive early as parking spaces are limited. Toilets in car park.
We will have drink & snack stops but NOT a lunch stop.
Please note that there is a £2 payment required for non-Ramblers members to help cover our Meetup costs. Please help the walk leader by bringing the exact change.
Members of the Ramblers Association are welcome on any of our walks, but we would still encourage you to RSVP on Meetup. This will give our volunteer walk leaders an idea of how many are attending, and also to keep the numbers manageable. If, on the day of the walk, you are still on the waiting list and a Ramblers member, you can attend just let the walk leader know you are coming by adding a comment 'Coming as a Rambler'. You will find the start location via our website Our Walks (westkentwalkinggroup.org.uk).25 attendees
Past events
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