Gay Outdoor Club: West Kent Walks 2008

Contact details for West Kent Group

Sunday 3 February. Tunbridge Wells circular walk stage 1. Tunbridge Wells (TW) - Hawkenbury - Frant, passing old farmsteads and through historic woods & meadows. Approx 7 mile walk starting from TW railway station (meet old supermarket side). Pub lunch in Frant.

Sunday 2 March. A joint walk with the Sussex group. An 8 mile circular walk from Ringmer to Barcombe Cross via Barcombe Mills. There will be a pub stop en-route or bring a packed lunch. Meet at Ringmer church.

Sunday 6 April. North Downs Way, 3rd stage: a circular walk about 9 miles using NDW and parts of Pilgrims Way. Meet in Thurnham outside Black Horse Inn at junction of Thurnham Lane and Pilgrim's Way. By car, leave M20 at J7 and turn right off A249 through Detling. No parking at/near Black Horse (roads too narrow) so turn right, down hill, and park on west verge of Thurnham Lane, by long wooden fence between path to church and entrance to Thurnham Court. In the morning we go east along NDW (several steep climbs) to Hollingbourne, where we lunch in pub (three pubs do food) or eat sandwiches in churchyard. Return (flat) along bits of Pilgrim's Way and field paths.

Sunday 4 May. A 10 mile circular walk on the South Downs from Firle to Alfriston largely comprising a ridge walk taking in Firle Beacon and a number of outstanding look-out points with spectacular views south to Newhaven and the Channel and north to the High Weald and North Downs. Apart from an initial climb to reach the ridge the walk is mainly on the level. A lunch stop will be in Alfriston where there are several pubs providing food or enjoy a packed lunch by the Cuckmere river. Start from the public car park in Firle. On leaving the A27, follow the signs for Firle Village and Church. The car park will be found, on entering the village, on the left hand side immediately before the Ram Inn.

Sunday 1 June. Tunbridge Wells circular stage 2: a walk of 10 miles (High Rocks - Groombridge, Langton Green, Bullingstone, and Rusthall). This leg of the walk takes in a number of varied wildlife habitats, places where plants and animals thrive. Meet at TW railway station (booking office side). Pub stop en-route or bring a packed lunch.

Sunday 6 July. A 10 mile circular walk starting at Chiddingstone, passing by Bough Beech Reservoir and through Hever. Meet outside Chiddingstone church. Bring a packed lunch.

Saturday 2 August. Annual Brighton Gay Pride March.

Sunday 3 August. Lamberhurst - Owl House - Hook Green. A varied circular walk of 7 miles on the Kent-Sussex border. We cross peaceful valleys and the site of the last operating iron furnaces. Meet at the car park in Lamberhurst. Pub stop en-route. After the walk there will be the 2009 Planning Meeting in nearby Tunbridge Wells. Please come prepared with ideas of any walks you may be prepared to lead next year. Strawberries and cream, tea and cakes will be the order of the afternoon!

Sunday 7 September. An 8 mile undulating circular walk from Rotherfield Village through open countryside and woodlands. Meet at Rotherfield village hall in North Street with parking to the rear or in the street. There is no pub stop on this walk so please bring a packed lunch but you are invited to tea and cakes at the end.

Sunday 5 October. Rye/Winchelsea 1066 circular walk, about 11 miles, fairly level. Meet start in large churchyard of Winchelsea parish church in centre of village. Park sensitively (but free) in quiet streets to S and E of churchyard. We walk down to the Royal Military Canal, along past Camber Castle, to Rye. Plenty of pubs/cafes for lunch, or eat sandwiches in pleasant churchyard. In the afternoon we follow part of the 1066 Country Walk inland, then along the Brede valley and across to Icklesham, before returning to Winchelsea on another bit of the 1066 Country Walk.

Sunday 2 November. Tunbridge Wells to Southborough. A varied circular walk of 7 miles from Tunbridge Wells to Southborough. Meet at the railway station (old supermarket side).

Sunday 7 December. GOC Christmas lunch walk. Reverting to our 'old favourite' - an easy-going circular walk (6-7 miles) from Lamberhurst to Goudhurst. Meet start at the car park in Lamberhurst. No need to book, just turn up on the day.

Please check the above walks in Outdoors for further details and any changes thereof.

For further information see the GOC Outdoors magazine.