Following a summer of beautiful walks in the countryside 16 Polyramblers set off on an urban walk celebrating S.E. London’s green spaces in many of its guises.  We started with a circuit of Nunhead Cemetery, one of the”Magnificent Seven” Victorian
Cemeteries and now a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Wildlife, home to songbirds,  woodpeckers and tawny owls. We paused to view several monuments, some elaborate, some poignant and most ravaged by nature and vandalism. Continue reading NUNHEAD CIRCULAR – 28 SEPTEMBER →

Epping Forest was acquired by the City of London in 1882, and previously in the 1800s many trees were felled for the Navy. Twelve Polyramblers assembled at Epping station, some having been affected by a little tube outage from the northwest and west! Even I was met with a taped off Met line platform at Farringdon and suddenly returned into my Thameslink train, rejoining the tube at the brand new entrance of Bank station. Continue reading EPPING TO CHINGFORD: SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER →

12 members plus Teddy set off from Witley station on a circular walk through the wooded hills of SW Surrey.  At several parts of the walk we traversed the Greensand Way.  We also walked on part of the Octavia Hill Trail named after the founder of the National Trust and passed an avenue of houses owned by millionaires.  The gardens were so large you couldn’t see the houses! We took our lunch break in Hascombe village at the lovely White Horse pub, which served some great beer and lovely, if slightly expensive, food or picnicked by the picturesque village pond with a Victorian church opposite. Continue reading Saturday 14th September: Witley circular via hascombe →

We enjoyed a leisurely walk along the river from Barnes Bridge to Richmond and then Richmond to Teddington. Although it was somewhat overcast it cleared up later in the afternoon.  Fifteen members started the walk, a good mixture of hikers and strollers for a change.  It was busy on the towpath with many cyclists and runners to dodge.  Part way along we had a call from Danny to say he was waiting for Sarah and Rosie who had been delayed en route.   Along the walk we were able to enjoy attractive views into Kew Gardens, Continue reading Barnes Bridge to Richmond and Teddington – Saturday 7 September →

If I’m ever asked why on earth anyone would want to get up early on a weekend, put on heavy boots & walk up & down steep hills in high temperatures, Saturday’s walk provided the answer – because it’s wonderful! We had perfect weather, apart from the last hour, & the South Downs are beautiful. Amazingly sculpted chalk hills with steep escarpments & views to the sea from the top. The expenditure of energy required for us to get up & down three times was well Continue reading 31st August Lewes Circular →