Metropolitan Walkers - walks in London and the South East

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

Route starts with an ascent of Leith Hill, taking in some great views, and then passes through the woodlands of Wotton Common. We then have a steep climb of the North Downs, and make our way to Westhumble via undulating landscapes around Polesden Lacey. Total ascent 550m.

Please bring a packed lunch. Short stop at Polesden Lacey in the afternoon for toilets / hot drinks. Pub stop at end.

Terrain: Hills, woods, fields

Travel: Take the 8:42 from London Bridge, arrive Holmwood 9:59. Buy a return to Holmwood.

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: Box Hill & Westhumble station
More info: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/holmwood-westhumble-0

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

A circular walk starting from the village of Wye that explores both sides of the Stour Valley - hence the pun-tastic name!

A few reasonable climbs to make up a total ascent of 600 metres, offering great views from both sides of the valley (and even a distant one of Canterbury Cathedral if it is a clear day). Bring a packed lunch - the lunch stop will be at the halfway distance in the central square in the village of Chilham (often voted one of the most picturesque villages in Kent) where there are plenty of local facilities (public toilets, tea room, pub). There will also be a pub at the end of the walk. The walk will be at a fast pace to try to minimise the time walking in complete darkness, but please bring a head torch as it is possible that the last few miles will be.

Terrain: Chalk downs, fields and woodland - likely to be very muddy in places

Transport: The cheaper (but slightly earlier and slower) option is the 8:34 from London Charing Cross (Waterloo East 8:37, London Bridge 8:43, Sevenoaks 9:08) which arrives at Wye at 10:02.

Or the later and quicker (but more expensive) option is the high speed 9:07 from London St Pancras (Stratford International 9:14) which arrives at Ashford International at 9:45, then join the above slower train which departs Ashford International at 9:56 (train to Ramsgate).

IMPORTANT: make sure to be on the front 4 coaches of the train to Wye. Buy a return to Wye and of course make sure to buy a ticket valid on HS1 if taking the high speed train.

If anyone intends to drive, there is no parking at the station itself, but there is a free car park in the village which is a 5 minute walk from the station. Meet just outside the main entrance of Wye station on platform 1.

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: Wye Station
More info: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/wye-not-explore-stour-valley

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

**PLEASE CLICK 'ATTEND' BELOW IF YOU WANT TO JOIN. ATTENDANCE CAPPED AT 30**

Sunday stroll that starts with the Tamsin Trail around Richmond park, taking in a stop at Pembroke Lodge. Walk will then go across Ham Common to complete the final section along the Thames path from Teddington lock back to Richmond along the River hoping to catch the sunset if we're lucky.

Due to midday start, please have lunch beforehand. We will have a couple of stops in Richmond Park where we can use public facilities.

We will aim to finish the walk around 5pm. Pace will be a leisurely 2.5miles per hour

Travel: Circular walk that starts and ends at Richmond Station (Zone 4 - District Line, Overground, or national rail).

Please use Oyster / contactless.

National rail option: dep London Waterloo 11:39 (11:43 Vauxhall, 11:49 Clapham Junction, 11:53 Putney) arr. 11:58 Richmond.

Please note front of Richmond station can get quite busy so we will meet outside the Sainsbury's Local - turn left out of station exit.

Grading: Leisurely.
For an explanation of the gradings, please see the FAQ - please consider both the length and grade when choosing a walk.

Finish point: Richmond Station (Zone 4)
More info: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/richmond-park-thames-path-stroll-part-deux

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 walk roughly follows the river Fleet, which is now hidden under the urban streets of London. We start near the river source, in the vicinity of Hampstead Heath and Parliament Hill. We continue down towards the confluence with the Thames but we divert off about the river’s halfway point. We follow the Regents canal at the end and finish the walk in Camden Town.

Some of the paths may be unpaved so please wear suitable footwear. Bring a head torch.

Optional: Please join us in the pub at the end of the walk for a drink and a chat.

• Leader: James A
• Start time: 7pm
• Start Point: Hampstead tube (zone 2 and 3) - see meeting point below
• Finish Point: Camden Town tube (zone 3)
• Distance: 7.4 km 4.6 miles
• Terrain: Urban, unpaved paths, parkland, steps
• Grading: Leisurely - sometimes at a fast pace

Please consider both the length and grade when choosing a walk.
For an explanation of the gradings, please see https://www.metropolitan-walkers.org.uk/walks/faq/

This walk is also listed in the Ramblers Association Walks Finder
https://walks-manager.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/hampstead-camden-river-fleet

For more information about the Metropolitan Walkers evening walks please see https://www.metropolitan-walkers.org.uk/walks/evening-walks/

To join this walk please RSVP on this Meetup event to help promote our group. Please feel free to try out the group for your first three walks, and if you want to continue please become a member at https://www.ramblers.org.uk

Open to all. No need to register.

Image credit: Photo of "Parliament Hill Viewpoint" by Kotomi_ | CC-BY-NC | https://www.flickr.com/photos/kotomi-jewelry/51708280236/