This is the first leg of the Pilgrims’ Way from Winchester to Canterbury. They issue passports at Winchester cathedral and each church on the way provides a stamp to mark your journey. The intention is to do the whole route (15 stages) and finish in Canterbury in 4 years having visited about 50 churches on the way!
The start did not look auspicious, with storm Austen and a lot of rain predicted, so I was pleasantly surprised to realise just how seriously the Polys take their walking – a turn out of 10. It seems the only limitation is when we get wiped out by public transport – which trumps the weather. Continue reading Pilgrims’ Way stage 1: Winchester to Alresford – 24 October 2026→
As it’s nearly 11 November which marks the end of World War I, I chose to lead a walk around Langley Vale Wood. It is the largest of the Woodland Trust’s four First World War Centenary Woods. They are designed as a living memorial to those who sacrificed so much in the First World War and are situated on original training grounds for troops going off to battle.
After a few days of rain, it was dry and sunny and 10 of us met at Tadworth station. We were soon out of Tadworth and in Banstead Heath, on our way to Mere Pond in Walton on the Hill. Once there, I suggested that, as there are no toilets or any refreshments during the walk, we could stop for a coffee and use the loo in the Village Café. There were mixed views but most of us had a coffee.
An easy walk along the Thames south bank to Tower Bridge, crossing and then continuing on the North bank of the Thames to Canary Wharf. Meet London Vauxhall station 11:15 at ** Exit 1 **, the Vauxhall Bridge Exit. Plenty of eateries for lunch or bring a picnic. Wetherspoons pub nearby at end of the walk. Leader Rob EX 174 & 177.
Autumn colours and fungi in the Forest. Relax and de-stress with nature.
Meet at 10.30 at LOUGHTON station. (40 mins from Oxford Circus on EPPING branch of Central line). All travel within zone 6. Bring picnic lunch although there are kiosks for tea, coffee and sandwiches etc and PH. Be prepared for mud in places. Chance of tea at the end of the walk. EX 174. Leader: Pam
Eight Poly Ramblers set off from Coulsdon South station to the grassy plains of Farthing Downs encountering a small friendly herd of cows, which was a surprise, as they didn’t put in an appearance on the recce last Saturday! A trig point a bit further on helped us identify some of the buildings on the horizon. We carried onto the Happy Valley going through woodland and out through to open pasture along the valley to Coulsdon Common. A slight uphill struggle on loose stones lead to welcome refreshment at the Fox pub. We could only stop for a drink as the pub manager wouldn’t let us eat outside despite the lack of people and probably cost him 2-3 potential meals from the group!
Suitably refreshed we began our return route to Coulsdon stopping to have lunch after a brief shower with some great views into the valley. We carried on for 2.5 miles along the top of the valley past a nature reserve eventually rejoinng Farthing Downs and on to the railway station.
