Meeting Point: Kelvedon station (main entrance by ticket office & loos - cross over the footbridge) at 10.30 am, moving off thereafter
Getting There: Catch the 9.36 Greater Anglia service from Liverpool Street (destined for Colchester), stopping at Stratford 9.43, Shenfield 9.59 and arriving at Kelvedon 10.24
Getting Back: Aiming for the 17.39 service from Chappel & Wakes Colne station to Marks Tey (arrives 17.45), connecting with the 17.49 service to Liverpool Street (stopping at Kelvedon 17.54, Shenfield 18.21, Stratford 18.36, arriving 18.44). Hourly service from Chappel & Wakes Colne. We will not be late.
(Rail ticketing would be a day return to Chappel & Wakes Colne, to cover the outward journey to Kelvedon)
Lunch: Stopping in Coggeshall after 3.5 miles for an early lunch - either bring own munchies or get something from the village (planning to stop at St Peter's church with the "Woolpack" PH nearby)
Route: Following the footpath towards Coggeshall over the fields and past willows, we pass Coggeshall Hall and idyllic Coggeshall Hamlet with Pointwell Mill on the River Blackwater. And then along a particularly delightful stretch upstream to 16th C Monk House, built on the foundations of the once mighty Coggeshall Abbey with adjacent weatherboarded mill and 13th C St Nicholas's Chapel (in rare red brick). Arriving at Coggeshall itself via the Grange Barn (dating from 12th C and one of the oldest in the country) and over the historic Long Bridge, this village boasts nearly 300 listed buildings (no time to see them all !). Time, instead, for an early lunch break by St Peter-ad-Vincula church (rebuilt 15th C) with an opportunity to visit one of the largest wool churches in Essex. Picking up the Essex Way trail, we follow this for the next 3.5 miles over a series of open fields, alongside hedgerows and pockets of woodland (expect wildflowers, especially poppies). Guided by the tower of St Barnabas's church, we arrive at Great Tey before leaving the Essex Way and heading over more fields and orchards to Chalkney Wood. A myriad of paths meander their way through this ancient woodland and downhill to 18th C Chalkney Mill and the River Colne. Following the course of the river valley brings us to the village of Chappel nestling by the impressive railway viaduct. The final leg is a short uphill to the station, with the prospect of the "Swan Inn" for a reviving drink beforehand ...
Moderate yet relaxed pace with occasional stops (say, 2 miles per hour-ish). Easy terrain with gentle slopes over good paths.
And remember, the only Way is Essex !
Happy Walking, Nick
The usual 3-4 miles with a pub at the end. Meet at City Thameslink station north exit on Holborn Viaduct at 6.30. This is a short walk from St Paul’s tube station on the Central London.
Dave
We will meet outside the exit from Platform 1 and make our way southeast out of town and then turning to cross Woodhall Park (https://www.woodhallestate.co.uk/). We will turn north, passing through Sacombe and Dane End, which boasts a 200-year-old primary school.
Turning northwest, we now head to Bennington and its Lordship (https://www.countrylife.co.uk/architecture/benington-lordship-medieval-castle-became-home-castle-192334) before turning south to pick up the Chain Walk (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hertfordshire_Chain_Walk) back into Watton.
Trains back into London are at 19 and 39 minutes past.
Total distance is a little over 13 miles; ascent 900 feet; walking pace will need to be 2.5 to 3 mph. Bring a packed lunch and plenty of water. There are pubs en route which I hope we will have time to stop in but that will just be for a drink.
The weather forecast is not looking great at the moment, but seems to have changed every time I look at it so I will make a decision whether to go ahead with this one on Friday.
There will be two day walks, of 10 miles or so, one of which will take us past the signpost erected by Stockport Walking and Outdoor Group to remember John Edwards, CLOG member, walk leader and friend, who died suddenly in 2023. John led many walks and trips for CLOG, and this is an area he knew well.
This is a book-your-own-accommodation trip, and you can obviously come earlier or stay longer.
Sue Sinton Smith
Best wishes,
Suzie (on behalf of CLOG Social Team)
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.
This is a week in the Lake District walking a long distance route from the south coast to Borrowdale in the Central Lake District.
Lots of great scenery, and mostly walking at lower levels on rough paths up to 300 meters.
Sometimes the route will coincide with the Cumbria Way but I will not stick to that path all the time.
Local Buses and ferries will be used to access walks on successive days.
There will be a lot of bus travel, but you don't need to back pack, as we will stay in cottages in a central location, probably Ambleside.
The longest walk will be about 13 miles, the shortest walk about 5 miles.
If we get a day of very good weather, I may combine 2 short legs:
eg a 5 mile walk + a 7 mile walk will give 12 miles in one day.
The next day it may be pouring with rain and we can have a day off !
People do need to be fit for walking up to 13 miles on rough paths if they are to do the whole route.
However, I welcome walk leaders who can lead the shorter sections too, 5 miles in the valleys.
On a really good day, I may do an alternative high level walk, Eg Walking the Langdale Pikes instead of the Great Landale valley.
See CLOG emails for further details.
Organiser: Ralph
The plan is to spend two days walking and the trip can be extended directly with the campsite for those who would like to stay longer. The area is hilly with views to Corfe Castle and lovely coastal walks. There is a shop on site and pubs within walking distance.
The campsite is a short walk from a bus stop to Wareham train station and Swanage in the other direction, with a regular service. It is hoped that most campers will travel by public transport.
This trip has opened for booking. See email to members for further details and the booking form.
Max 14 places.
Exact cost will be available nearer the time.
I picked this site, because we will be able to have a fire, there is an honesty shop and the owner is super friendly. There are good walks and places to visit nearby.
It gets lots of 10 star reviews, which Huw, the owner has responded to.
Sue Sinton Smith
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.
Sarah
Penryn is located at the head of the Penryn river, with multiple beaches within a few miles. It's a great base for walking, with good transport links by train, bus and ferry. The South West coastal path provides obvious walking options, eg from Helford Passage to Falmouth. The St Mawes ferry connects Falmouth to Roseland peninsula. Local walks are available from Penryn via Mylor.
CLOG's Trips Team has booked flatlets on the Cornwall campus of Falmouth/Exeter University. Glasney student village, at the Penryn campus, is a 15-minute walk from Penryn train station. Each flatlet is ensuite, with five rooms with double beds, so you can have your own room. Two rooms in each flatlet are twin share. The flatlets have well equipped kitchens.
This trip is fully booked, with a waiting list.
CLOG has access to 4 flatlets. Expect a range of walks and opportunities to visit locations in the area.
CLOG has access to 4 flatlets. Expect a range of walks and opportunities to visit locations in the area.
CLOG has access to 4 flatlets. Expect a range of walks and opportunities to visit locations in the area.
CLOG has access to 4 flatlets. Expect a range of walks and opportunities to visit locations in the area.