We set off from Waterloo on a fast train to Guildford and more walkers joined us at Clapham Junction.  I was really pleased there were 18 of us on what was an overcast day in late November.    I was worried about completing the walk before it got dark (sunset at 15:58) and perhaps I may have overdone it a bit during my short briefing in which I stressed that we needed to keep up a good walking pace. 

The station isn’t far from the river Wey which we followed south out of Guildford.  It wasn’t long before we were out in the countryside walking by a very full river with a weir to our right, noisy with rushing water.   The water meadows on the other side of the Wey were heavily flooded.   It was a relief to me to be back in nature and away from the traffic of the busy town.

After a while we left the banks of the river,  heading west, up a steep short hill and over a railway bridge to get to Sandy lane.  We then branched right and followed the North Downs Way climbing through a pleasant rural valley which headed towards Compton and lunch at the Watts Gallery.   It was not raining and we were quite warm so we stopped for a brief water break and to remove a layer of clothing.   Everyone was chatting and seemed happy and I was surprised to get to Watts Gallery about 20 minutes early.   So I need not have worried after all!

Most people had brought there own lunch and sat at the picnic tables outside. This was just as well since it was very busy in the tea room.   It’s a delightful place with a lovely shop and many of us enjoyed a pot of tea or cup of coffee after lunch.   This was originally a part of the Arts and Crafts movement and a pottery was opened here in the early 20th century by George and Mary Watts.  Currently there is a resident artist here and an art gallery which unfortunately we didn’t have time to explore.  After an hour we left and headed for Watts Chapel which is less than a 10 minute walk away.   Watts Chapel and the cemetery were well worth visiting.  The chapel is quite stunning and beautiful both inside and out.  It was built by Mary Watts with the help of the local villagers from Compton.   We paused to view Aldous Huxley’s grave before continuing on our walk.

We passed through a stud farm and then through a wood.  The path through the wood was very muddy in places but nowhere near what it had been like on my walkover a few days before.   Then there had been a stream running down the centre of the path!  Emerging from the wood I suggested we have a drinks break and various people said they would like either a brandy or a gin and tonic.  So witty!  None of which I had of course.  We then walked up a country lane to Polsted Manor and then forking right we headed up to Loseley Park.   There is an imposing and historic Mansion house here set in a big estate.  It is perhaps now more famous for Loseley ice cream but the house itself was once visited by Queen Elizabeth I.  The park is closed at this time of year so we skirted around it and passed by an ornamental lake which had recently been dredged.  We then continued east on a well marked path back to the river Wey and from there it was only a mile to Guildford.   We crossed over an attractive bridge and then walked between the river and the flooded meadows before arriving back at the A3100 on the outskirts of the town.

We had made good time and I needn’t have worried.   Some of us headed back to the station, others went for tea and cake and I joined a group who went to the White Lion for a well earned drink.

Leader: Chris

Photos by: Ida, Joyanna, Patricia, Lois and Hilary

A fair number of the club were away for the weekend in the New Forest so I offered this at short notice, hoping it might appeal to those at a loose end. Unfortunately, engineering works meant that there were very few trains to Crystal Palace, so all credit to Melida and Rob for keeping Sandra and myself company.

At 5.4 miles, it’s a short walk but passes through some quite hilly parts of South London and so it is not a stroll. It follows much of the route of a disused railway which ran from Nunhead to Crystal Palace, which opened in 1865 to serve the Great Exhibition building after it was relocated in 1854. The building was destroyed by fire in 1936.

The route is easy to follow, with regular signposts. You can also follow it on Go Jauntly which has useful historical information.

We started off walking the length of the Exhibition Hall. There are only low sections of wall that survive but one is still impressed by the scale of the building. Passing the athletics stadium and the amphitheatre we exited the park and after a bit of road walking got to the attractive Sydenham Wells park. In Crescent Wood Road, we passed a substantial house where John Logie Baird stayed during his experiments on an early TV system in the 1920’s. 

We descended on to the route of the old railway, now in dense wood, soon crossing London Road, to enter the Horniman Museum and Gardens. For those of you unfamiliar with this, it’s worth a visit in itself. Apart from the restored museum, which won the Art Fund’s museum of the year in 2022, there are extensive gardens. From the terrace you can see Dawson’s Heights, a large social housing project dating from the 1960’s occupying a ridge to the north. It was designed by a young architect Kate Macintosh with the purpose of giving most of the flats, views in two directions.

We were soon passing through Camberwell Old Cemetery then a final lung busting climb to One Tree Hill with its famous view across to the north. Descending to Camberwell New Cemetery, a level stretch through Victorian terraced housing took us to  Nunhead Cemetery, one of the Magnificent Seven and a train back to London.

Thanks to Melida for most of the photos. 

I’ve added one or two of my recent trip to Sikkim India, subject to the Editor’s say so. [Ed – that’s ok I will put the Indian photos at the end]

Mike C

Photos by Melida and Mike C

A good turnout of Polyramblers met at Chingford Station. The sky was covered with greyish cloud but there wasn’t any wind to speak of. The trees were magnificent!  We thought that recent rain and relatively mild temperatures were the reason that a lot of trees were still covered in green leaves while the beech leaves on the forest floor were glorious! After the grassy area near the station, the walk was in amongst a variety of trees, including beech, hornbeam, oak, birch, rowan and holly, in all their autumn splendour. We mostly followed gravel paths, undulating sometimes steeply, with only an occasional puddle. There weren’t many other walkers or cyclists, despite being so near London. Perhaps people were more involved in Halloween, Diwali or Guy Fawkes activities!  It was mild enough to eat our lunchtime picnics at the benches provided at High Beach.  According to the Oxford Dictionary of British Place Names, the name first appeared as Highbeach-green in 1670. The Dictionary tells us that it is “Probably named from the beech-trees here” – so nothing to do with more recent spelling discrepancies or failings in modern education! While I’m talking about place names, I see that Chingford may be based on a corruption of “shingle” so perhaps the river in the valley came up higher in former times! There is a view of the valley from the green at High Beach but the trees at the top of the slope have grown up and out, obscuring the view to some extent.  Some members of the group took the opportunity to explore the Visitor Centre.     

As regards the beech trees, we learned about the pollarding which went on until it was stopped in 1878 so thereafter the trees were able to grow to a normal size but still bearing the shape formed by the coppicing. I am informed that some of these beeches are believed to be as much as 1000 years old! They are certainly very tall. After our lunch break, as the path undulated between the trees, we spent some time in a clearing on one side, carpeted with golden beech leaves, concentrating on breathing deeply and calmly, admiring the height and width of the trees, listening to the rustle of the leaves, no road or air traffic to spoil the moment. Generally being amongst trees is known  as “forest bathing” (nothing to do with dipping in water!). It is said that essential oils, known as phytoncides, are emitted by trees to protect themselves from germs and insects and, seemingly, they have a positive impact on humans too by naturally boosting our immune system. Studies show that after only a short amount of time in a forest, stress levels are reduced. Walking among trees decreases the body’s stress response, which in turn lowers our levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. As a result we feel calmer. Ideally it should be a digital detox, that is, not carrying any electronics! I must mention that to the group in the briefing next time! 

As we neared the end of the walk and the hum of the M25 got louder (even though it is ‘cut and covered’ at this point!), we passed by the area of Ambresbury Banks, the site of an Iron Age fort. At that time, 700 BCE, the views would have been clear of trees. It is pure legend that this is the place where Boudicca made her last stand against the Romans in the year 61! It is another area we will have to explore on a future visit. 

At the end of the forest we made our way to Epping High Street. Some of the party made their way to the tube station while the rest of us continued along to Belgique Patisserie, where the staff showed no amazement at the size of the group or horror at our footwear (not muddy as it happened!) and welcomed us with tea, coffee and a splendid array of enticing cakes and pastries! We agreed it was a very pleasant way to round off a very enjoyable day.

Pam

Photos by Stephen, Maggie and Hilary

After two frustrating cancellations of this walk, as a consequence of Chiltern Railways’  shenanigans, we at last, third time lucky, were able to undertake our modest eight mile stroll.

We set forth, all nineteen enthusiastic walkers, downhill from the station leaving rowdy traffic to soon join the scenic and placid tranquillity of the Wendover canal. The six mile long canal now overgrown in parts and disused, but worth exploring further was constructed in 1799 but alas has  been unnavigable since 1897. In its heyday it was a worthy conduit for all manner of barge-borne cargo including grain, timber, coal and beer connecting with the mighty north -south Grand Union canal.

Despite the pervasive gloom and mist the Polyramblers brought their own sunshine and soon we were admiring the timely vivid autumn colours reflected in  awesome clear waters  whilst passing a variety of water birds, dabbling ducks, gliding moorhens and preening swans. After a couple of miles of towpath we left the canal and started our gentle but mildly challenging ascent through the towering trees of Wendover Woods, trudging up  a fresh leafy carpet to the highest point of the Chilterns, a mere 875 feet.

As we steadily climbed  we were overtaken by many tabard clad and numbered runners surging zealously through the woods,  competing in organised events. Finally we reached the Wendover Woods cafe at the top where we gratefully took sustenance  and savoured the crisp ‘mountain’ air. Regrettably the usually awesome views were marred by the stubborn mist.

All too briefly, given the shortening hours of daylight, it was time to  return. We descended gradually via a firm path through a canyon of trees leading eventually onto a quiet tarmac road then along a narrow path between high wooden fences across a footbridge to follow a noisy but then calmingly  transparent chalk stream.

After a few more paces we emerged into the olde worlde charms of  Wendover high street and thankfully had time to partake of a well earned tea at one of several cafes before catching the vital 3.54 pm train back to London.

Les and Cathy M

Photos by Patricia, Les and Jill