Ralph

Contact the Secretary for the address of the meeting.

Meeting Point: Angel tube station (main exit on Islington High Street) at 1 pm, moving off 1.05 pm (served by Northern line via Bank). One stop from Kings Cross St Pancras. Easy. (And slightly earlier to utilise the diminishing daylight)

Getting Back: Aiming to get to Tottenham Hale station by 4.30 pm (for Victoria line plus frequent rail services to Liverpool Street station).

(1.5 miles to Canonbury station for Mildmay & Windrush lines, 3.5 miles to Stoke Newington for Weaver line)

Route: Starting off alongside busy Upper Street, we head up the quaint alleyway of Camden Passage, popular for antiques and with many buildings dating from the early 18th C. Threading our way along back streets takes us past 18th C. St Mary's church (rebuilt post-war) and down to Astey's Row, which follows the New River on its underground course. This watercourse (neither new, nor river) emerges at Canonbury Grove into the leafy linear park which meanders its way to Canonbury station. With the watercourse safely underground again, we head up pleasant tree-lined Petherton Road following the green trail to Clissold Park, where the New River re-emerges. Passing 19th C. St Mary's church with its iconic spire opposite the old church, we enter Abney Park Cemetery with old gravestones hidden within the foliage, the final resting place of dissenters as well as William Booth of the Salvation Army. After finding our way out, quiet avenues take us to Clapton Common before downhilll via Spring Hill to the River Lea (or Lee). The final mile or so then follows the towpath with passing barges up to Tottenham Lock in the twilight with Tottenham Hale station just a short step away.

Pace is moderate, yet relaxed on pavement, gravel and grass. Sunset around 4 pm

"Encore une fois", Nick

We will start by climbing up onto Riddledown (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riddlesdown_Common) and then descending to pick up the LOOP. The LOOP will take us across Kenley Common (https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/the-coulsdon-commons/kenley-common/visit-kenley-common) and skirt the perimeter of the aerodrome (https://www.kafg.org.uk/airfrafkenley.htm).

After passing through Old Coulsdon and crossing the common (https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/the-coulsdon-commons/coulsdon-common/visit-coulsdon-common), we join the Downlands Circular Walk which takes to Chaldon Church (https://www.chaldonchurch.co.uk/) where we will break for lunch and take some time to explore the 1100-year old church and view its famous 13th century mural (https://www.chaldonchurch.co.uk/history/chaldon-mural/).

Resuming, we follow the Downlands Circular Walk until it meets the North Downs Way. After roughly a mile on the NDW we head northwards through the village of Chaldon, loop around Piles Wood and Dean Hill and then head for Caterham station via Queen’s Park.

Trains from Caterham back to London Bridge are at 25 and 55 minutes past the hour..

Total distance 10.5 miles; total climb 1300 ft. Walking pace will need to be 2.5 to 3 mph (sunset is at 16:04).

Bring a packed lunch and plenty of water. Weather forecast is overcast and light winds. Max. temperature 8 degrees.

Feel free to bring along friends, neighbours, or work colleagues for a day out walking with CLOG. It would be great to have plenty of CLOG members along to make any new walkers welcome.

We're offering the option of two circular Autumn walks from Oxted station.

Please bring a picnic lunch, snacks, water and suitable clothing for whatever the weather is doing. Both walks will stop at a good spot for a picnic lunch (shelter not guaranteed though !) then will adjourn to a nearby pub for refreshments before continuing the walk.

We'll all set off together initially, but you will be able to choose one of two options:

1. An 8 mile walk following the Greensand Ridge with views to North and South during the walk. A picnic lunch on the green at Limpsfield Chart, with a stop at the Carpenters Arms for refreshments, before returning to Oxted station through a mixture of woodland and open ground.

2. A longer 11 mile walk, which will need to keep a good pace to beat the short daylight at this time of year. Both walks will set off along the Greensand Ridge with this walk continuing to the hamlet of Crockham Hill. The churchyard there, with its lovely view, will be our picnic stop with the Royal Oak nearby for refreshments afterwards. Our return takes us back up to the ridge with a mixture of woodland and open ground to return to Oxted.

For both walks, on returning to Oxted, the Oxted Inn is right next to the station, where everyone is welcome to stay for a drink and a chance to socialise.   Return trains are half-hourly, so you can plan your return train from the warmth of the pub. 

Meeting point: The suggested train is the 9.21 from Victoria Mainline station, calling at Clapham Junctionat 9.28 , East Croydon at 9.39, and arriving at Oxted at 10.00.

Please meet at the exit of Oxted Station - the exit on the opposite side to where the train arrives from London ( Don't worry, the leaders will check both exits!)  The walk will start at 10.10am after introductions.

Looking forward to walking with you.

Helen R 

Tony

Start 11am Hackney Wick Station. Finish Woolwich Riverside. 9.5 miles

Sue Sinton Smith 

This trip is fully booked, with a waiting list.