All posts by Chris Maslen

Uncategorized

UPPER LEA VALLEY AND SOMERIES CASTLE on 11th January 2025

Eight Polyramblers gathered outside Luton Airport Parkway station for a 7.5 mile circular walk. It was 11am on a very frosty but sunny January morning  (Earlier,  when I set out from home, my phone showed a temperature of -3C!).  

We all set off across the station car park and approach, negotiating roundabouts onto a B road signposted to Wheathampstead. Then we climbed through a narrow piece of woodland up onto a higher level A road, proceding 100 yds along its footway until we saw a footpath sign to the right leading up some steps into a field on higher ground. The path at the top of the steps followed near the perimeter fence of Luton Airport for about a mile on our left. There was a view of the new Dart shuttle train  and much sound of arriving and departing (mostly EasyJet) aircraft. After traversing a few open fields the path turned half right and away from the airport. Soon we reached a row of cottages beside the ruins of Someries Castle. All that remains of this 15th century manor house is the gatehouse and chapel, it is one of the earliest brick structures in England. We spent a little time exploring the ruins in the bright sunshine.  We then  continued SE along a straight track which soon became a lane taking us into Peter’s Green for lunch.

Most of the party went inside The Bright Star public house, the remainder using seating on the green to eat their own food. Inside the pub was a roaring wood burning stove, and we were served with very welcome vegetable soup. And greeted by a very friendly hound  who took an interest in sniffing my rucksack, as it had sausage rolls inside!!

After lunch and a photostop on the green  we took a  path SW across fields, somewhat muddy in places, leading us down into the Upper Lea Valley at East Hyde. Crossing the road along the valley bottom, we took a lane from the other side over the river then a right turn onto a northbound track, being the trackbed of the once Luton,  Dunstable and Welwyn Junction Railway. This soon passed under today’s busy  Midland Main Line, carrying frequent express and Thameslink trains. The track continued along the valley,  beside sewage works on the right, then eventually passed the woods and parkland of Luton Hoo to the left. We came across two metal statues, one of Eric Morecambe, and the other representing Capability Brown who both have associations with the local area. The track soon led us back to the roundabouts and the approach to Luton Airport Parkway station. 

It was now 4 o’clock and getting dusky and colder. Here three polyramblers decided to take a short diversion for refreshment at Costa Coffee before the journey home, the rest headed straight into the station for their train back to London.

Geoffrey

Photos by Gillian, Pam, Chris and Geoffrey

Next Walk

SATURDAY 18th JANUARY PUDDING MILL TO BECKTON (LINEAR) 5 MILES

The Surrey Hills walk published in our programme has had to be postponed due to illness and will appear in the spring programme. The following walk replaces it this Saturday.

Section 14 of the Capital Ring along the Greenway and through Beckton District Park. Bring a picnic.

Meet 11.00 Pudding Mill Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Station (Zone 2). Return from Beckton DLR Station (Zone 3).

Map: EX162
Leader: Danny (07907 346957)

The photo is of Beckton District Park South by Stephen Craven published under the license CC BY-SA 2.0,

 

Latest walk reports

WANDLE TRAIL – EARLSFIELD to CARSHALTON PONDS on 4th January 2025

The Wandle trail is a path along the Wandle Valley from Croydon to Wandsworth following the river Wandle.  This river was a hub of industrial mills and printing with William Morris and Liberty owning factories on its banks.

We chose to start our 7.5 mile hike at Earlsfield and walk to Carshalton Ponds, avoiding some of the less salubrious parts. For the first hike of the new year, 20 hikers started out enjoying the mild (for this time of the year) weather with no indication of rain.  Being a cycle and walking trail, the going was good, with only one part being a bit muddy.  The route had many parts which were wooded with water fowl and it was easy to imagine we weren’t in London.

We crossed the Croydon Tram before stopping for lunch at Morden Hall Park, a National Trust property with good facilities.  At this point 3 members chose to cut it short and alighted the Tram. 

The rest of us negotiated the upper reaches of the Wandle which were equally tranquil, only having to negotiate the fishermen (a good sign the river is in good condition).  After arriving at Carshalton Ponds (one of the sources of the Wandle), we the made our way to Carshalton Station with its frequent trains to London Bridge and Victoria.

In hindsight we were lucky and just missed the stormy weather which arrived that evening once safely home. 

Stephen

Photos by Ida and Stephen

Latest walk reports

Hammersmith circular (5.5 miles) on 29th December 2024

Nineteen polyramblers met at Hammersmith Station on a cold, dry, misty morning.  After a quick safety briefing we headed towards the river Thames. 

We crossed the river via  Hammersmith Bridge, still undergoing repairs but open to pedestrians and joined the Thames Path to Putney Bridge.

We passed several boat yards that were closed, due to holiday season, so we were able to enjoy the river and some views, mist permitting. We were able to see Fulham Football Ground that has also undergone major refurbishment. 

We crossed Putney Bridge and had a packed lunch at Bishops Park. After a short lunch break we walked in the grounds of Bishops Palace with lovely wood carvings by Andrew Frost. 

The palace has an interesting history and I will be going back in the spring to see the museum and try out the tea shop.

We made our way back to the river, passing Fulham Football supporters. We passed the Blu River Cafe, saw the statue of Capability Brown and passed by Riverside Studios with its photographs of iconic pop stars before returning to Hamersmith Station.

Sunita

[Ed.- The walk was led jointly by Sunita and Jackie  C.]

Photos by Julia, Gillian, Rochelle and Chris