Saturday’s walk was beautiful, combining flat paths through summer meadows with the glories of the South downs. We were well rewarded after our two mighty slogs up onto the South Downs Way by views either side & lark song, then lovely chalk paths down to the valleys & refreshment stops. The tea shop in Ditchling will be forever remembered as the place where Sunita gave the tea 10/10. This has always seemed an academic number, no tea could ever be that good, but she stood firm so Ditchling is a place to remember & return to. It seemed a shame not to enjoy such a beautiful day to the full so at the end of the walk we all had a drink in the garden of the Jack & Jill pub in Clayton, just before Hassocks station.  

Harriet Continue reading Saturday 9 June 2018 : PLUMPTON to HASSOCKS (LINEAR). →

13 Polyramblers for this 10 mile walk on a cloudy day which became brighter and quite hot as the day progressed. We started with a gentle slope to reach the ridge which we followed to Stone Cross and continued along the Wealdway path to Fordcombe. We resisted the temptation to stop in the pub for an early drink. We momentarily lost 3 ramblers but found them again. We walked through meadows to reach the river Medway which we followed for a while until we crossed it. We then walked along a farm track and up a steep hill at the top of which was the welcome sight of our lunch stop: The Spotted Dog public house. The afternoon walk continued through lovely countryside until we reached some woodland where the path was quite muddy. We followed Kent Water and met the Medway again. No time to stop at Willett’s Farm to sample some of their 21 flavours of ice cream; we had an hourly train to catch which we did with 10 minutes to spare. A lovely walk through the Weald of Kent. Continue reading Saturday 2nd June. Penshurst area (Kent) circular. →

On a greyish but dry morning 8 Polys met at Marylebone station and 3 more joined them at Saunderton, having driven. We set off and encountered a few muddy sections but the weather improved as we progressed. After navigating, with a little difficulty as the path was partly water logged, through the woods on Naphill Hill common, we reached Hughendon Manor (where Disraeli had lived). Some picnicked in the pretty gardens while others partook of the home made dishes served in the cafe. Continue reading 13th May. Saunderton circular via West Wycombe →

I’ve led this walk in the past and did a walkover in February expecting it to be straightforward. Unfortunately a combination of a wet winter and construction traffic for a new water main meant that large sections of the afternoon walk were verging on the impassable. I devised some slightly less glutinous deviations and hoped for  drier weather in the intervening weeks. No such luck. A respectable 15 of us got off the train at East Grinstead on a dry morning with promise of occasional sunshine later. Passing through the town centre with its interesting mix of historic buildings, we headed east, through mostly woodland. Continue reading Saturday 7th April. East Grinstead circular →

It was a grey day that threatened rain but 17 Polyramblers turned up. We started our walk in the conservation area, stopping briefly in the Vestry House museum before continuing through Walthamstow village and its pretty shops. We passed the Nag’s Head and the Ancient House before going in St Mary’s church where we had a nice welcome and were told about the history of the church. We saw the Continue reading Saturday 10th March. Walthamstow village and wetlands. Linear. →