Gay Outdoor Club: London Walks 2008

Contact details for London Group

All GOC London walks start and finish at a railway station, usually about an hour's journey from London and tend to be between 8 and 12 miles in length. From May to September we also have a monthly evening walk in central London, and lasting about 2 hours, followed by a meal or visit to a pub.

Sunday 13 January. Circular walk from Beaconsfield train station via Chalfont St Giles. There will be a pub stop and an opportunity for a picnic if you wish to bring one.

Wednesday 30 January. Gentle canalside walk from Berkhamsted to Tring, about 7 miles, concludes with optional visit to the Zoological Museum in Tring (admission free).

Wednesday 6 February. Future walks meeting, in upstairs bar, Kings Arms, Poland St, Soho, London. It would be great if everyone interested in the future of London Country attended this (hopefully brief) meeting to arrange walks for the remainder of 2008.

Sunday 10 February. Darwin and Wilberforce. A 10 mile circular walk from Orpington mainly through rolling downland, passing Downe House where Charles Darwin wrote "The Origin of Species" and Holwood, where William Wilberforce agreed to pilot the anti-slavery bill through Parliament. Meet at Orpington Station (east side); (trains from London Bridge and Victoria). Pub lunch.

Wednesday 27 February. Woodland and farmland walk in Surrey. A figure of eight walk, about 8 miles, starting from Woldingham station (train from London Victoria). Lunch at the Dene Coffee Shop, reputedly favoured by Baroness Thatcher.

Sunday 9 March. Meet at Beaconsfield train station to do a circular walk via Chalfont St Giles. There will be a pub stop and an opportunity for a picnic if you wish to bring one. There is a train from Marlebone

Wednesday 26 March. Wanborough to Godalming. A 7-mile Arts & Crafts walk with lunch at Compton tea shop. We can also view the Watts Gallery, Funeral Chapel, etc. Leave Wanborough Station and return by train from Godalming.Train from Waterloo, change at Guildford for Wanborough.

Sunday 13 April. Polesden Lacey, Ranmore and the North Downs. 10 mile walk in Surrey with good views, also passing through Denbies vineyard. Meet at Boxhill and Westhumble station (limited parking). Train from Victoria via Clapham Junction and Sutton. Unfortunately no pub or shops en route, so be sure to bring a packed lunch.

Wednesday 30 April. A walk in the North Downs and a (gradual) ascent of Box Hill. 8 miles. Bring lunch. Start from Boxhill and West Humble station (trains from London Victoria).

Sunday 11 May. Circular walk of about 8 miles starting at Abbey Wood station, passing through Lesnes Abbey Wood, Bostal Heath, Bostal Woods, East Wickham, Oxleas Wood, Bostal Wood and Bostal Heath. A mostly woodland walk with pub stop for lunch on Shooters Hill. Trains from London Bridge.

Wednesday 28 May. A walk in the St Albans area. Meet at entrance to St Albans station (train from St Pancras) for an easy 9 mile walk taking in the Abbey, Roman Verulamium, Gorhambury House (and the M1). Bring packed lunch; possible pub stop.

Sunday 8 June. An 8½ mile circular walk starting at Benfleet station. (Trains from Fenchurch Street or Barking.) Lunch stop at Leigh-on-Sea where there are a number of pubs, etc. We will return over the hills via Hadleigh Castle.

Wednesday 25 June. Following rain, Southern Railway chaos and low turn-out in April, a second chance of a walk in the North Downs and a (gradual) ascent of Box Hill. 9 miles. Bring lunch. Start from Boxhill and West Humble station (train from London Victoria). For those meeting at station, car parking is available at Burford Bridge, a half-mile north on the A24 and please note the rail service is liable to be late.

Thursday 26 June. Meet at Regents Park station for a walk through Regents Park and along the Grand Union Canal to Camden Town for a drink in the Black Cap.

Wednesday 30 July. Hastings to Winchelsea along the Saxon Shore Way, a strenuous climb to the cliff-top at the start then cliff-top walking, later descending to the Pett Levels and Royal Military Canal, about 10 miles. Meet Hastings station forecourt. Train from London Charing Cross; return by train from Winchelsea to Hastings. Bring packed lunch.

Sunday 10 August. Circular walk of about 9 miles from Ashurst, Kent, in the hills and beside the river in the upper reaches of the Medway, with picnic or pub lunch at Hartfield. Train to Ashurst from London Bridge (change at East Croydon for Ashurst). Walk starts from Ashurst Station.

Wednesday 27 August. Chess Valley linear walk of about 10 miles, through fields and woodland. Meet at Rickmansworth tube station (about 35 minutes from Baker Street) at 11.00 and return from Chesham tube station. Bring packed lunch.

Sunday 14 September. Bayford Railway Station to Goose Green An adventurous amble along the edge of the remarkable Broxbourne Woods, passing one pub to the second at Goose Green then a possible diversion to a third and back to the station via the first pub on the route. There is a car park at the station. Train from London Kings Cross; this is the train to Stevenage. The walk will start when the train (or its replacement arrives). Food should be available at Goose Green if required.

Wednesday 24 September. Mole Valley from Leatherhead to Box Hill and back, about 9 miles, riverside, woodland and chalk grassland. Pub lunch at the Stepping Stones, West Humble. Meet at the platform 2 exit from Leatherhead Station (train from Victoria).

Sunday 12 October. Tattenham Corner Station to Headley Circular. Distance about 6 miles. Terrain: some hills, none steep. Downland and wooded paths but if there has been much rain inclined to be muddy. Trains are hourly on Sundays. Zone six on freedom pass. Lunch at the Cock at Headley. Helpful to have carrier bags for your boots though pub has a wooden floor. For those wishing to take their own lunch adequate seating etc in the churchyard at Headley. A pleasant walk with plenty of horses to admire (especially for size queens). Trains from Charing Cross and East Croydon.

Wednesday 29 October. Lea Valley from Broxbourne to Waltham Abbey and back, about 10 miles, riverside, lakes and nature reserves. Pubs and teashop at Waltham Abbey. Meet at Broxbourne station (train from Liverpool Street).

Sunday 9 November. Meet at Putney Bridge Station (District Line). Exploring commons of South West London, including Barnes, Richmond and Wimbledon. Approx 7 miles with pub/cafe lunch stop.

Sunday 14 December. Annual Xmas walk to end in Hampstead for lunch in the Pizza
Express.

For further information see the GOC Outdoors magazine.