We will head NNE climbing up onto the North Wessex Downs and then loop round to approach the village of Wickham (https://www.berkshirehistory.com/villages/wickham.html) from the west. Here we will break for lunch and to give everyone a chance to see its fascinating church (https://unusual-encounters.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-elephants-in-church.html) with its Saxon tower and papier-mâché elephants rescued from the Great Exhibition of 1851.
Next we turn east and descend into the Lambourn valley and follow the Lambourn Valley Way (https://ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Lambourn+Valley+Way) into Newbury via Donnington Castle (https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/donnington-castle/)
Total distance is a little under 14 miles; total climb 700 ft. Walking pace will need to be about 2.5 to 3 mph mph.
Bring a packed lunch and plenty of water.
This is a week-long trip travelling up to Patterdale on Tuesday 14 April 2026.
The week-long option was by far the most popular when we asked for expressions of interest.
Organised by Ralph H. and Helen W.
The walk will be 3-4 miles. Meet at Piccadilly Circus (inappropriately by the statue of Eros) at 6.30pm on Wednesday 15 April.
We will finish in a pub.
Dave
To rejoin the NDW we first have to get to Wrotham. Fortunately, there are footpaths once we hit the outskirts of Borough Green so we won’t have to do all of this on the road.
Those of you were with me all the way to West Malling on the last section will be familiar with the next bit, with footpaths running alongside the road. At Hognore Wood, the NDW and the Pilgrim’s Way part company and we ascend the scarp to Trosley Country Park (https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/kent-country-parks/find-a-kent-country-park/trosley-country-park).
Not long after that, we drop off the scarp only to climb up again and wind our way through wooded hills until we reach Wingate Wood. Here we leave the NDW for today and make our way to Halling station.
Trains back to London are at 12 and 42 minutes past and involve changes. The 12 minutes past takes 56 minutes and goes to St Pancras; the 42 minutes past to Victoria and takes 1 hr 9 minutes. The former will need a high speed supplement.
Total distance is a little under 11 miles; total climb 900 ft. Walking pace will need to be about 2 mph.
Bring a packed lunch and plenty of water.
More details to follow.
Rhian Jones
Anne Young
All members are welcome to attend committee meetings. Alternatively if you have a matter that you would like the committee to raise please contact the Chair, chair.clog@membermojo.co.uk or the Secretary, secretary.clog@membermojo.co.uk.
Contact the Secretary for the address of the meeting.
We have booked accommodation for 20 people in a hostel. There are also local hotels and b&bs. Ballintoy is in the UK; you can take domestic flights to either Belfast City or Derry airport, then train from Belfast and a bus to the village, or direct buses from Belfast or Derry. You could extend your stay in Belfast to explore the city or other parts of Ireland - this would mean making your own arrangements at additional cost.
The cost of the Ballintoy hostel accommodation, including food for breakfasts and packed lunches, will be around £195 for 5 nights. You should also budget for flights, which cost around £120 return, plus trains, buses and evening meals.
This trip has opened for booking - see email for further details.
Leaders EB and CC