Hike Together

• 09:00 — Downstairs ticket office, London Bridge Railway Station
• 09:15 — Head to platform and board train
• 09:24 — Train departs London Bridge
• 09:49 — Arrives at Sevenoaks
• Buy a return ticket to Sevenoaks — £11.10 (with Network Railcard)
• Please check National Rail for up-to-date times and ticket prices.

🚶WALK STARTS:

• 10:00 – From the entrance of Sevenoaks railway station

🏁 WALK FINISHES:

• Approx. 16:00 at Sevenoaks railway station

🔁 RETURN TRAINS towards London Bridge:

• XX:20 — direct, arrives London Bridge XX:09 (49 mins)
• XX:29 — direct, arrives London Bridge XX:53 (24 mins – fastest)
• XX:50 — direct, arrives London Bridge XX:39 (49 mins)

🚻 TOILETS:

• Optional pub stop (about 1 hour into the hike)
• Ightham Mote Visitor Centre (about 2 to 2.5 hours into the hike)
• Knole House Visitor Centre (about 4 hours into the hike)
• Behind a tree or in a bush – anytime nature calls! 🌿😉

⚠️ TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY:

• Distance: 19 km (12 miles)
• Walking Time: ~5 hours
• Total Duration: ~6 hours (including breaks)
• Ascent: 365 m | Descent: 347 m
• Grade: Moderate, woodland and field paths, uneven cobblestones, stony gravel tracks, occasional road walking, can be muddy after rain; moderate inclines throughout.
• Pace: Steady and moderate (4.5–5 km/h) – faster than a stroll, but relaxed enough for conversation and enjoyment of the surroundings.

🥪 LUNCH:

• We will stop at Ightham Mote Restaurant, where you can buy food, coffee, cake, and ice cream.
• Please bring a packed lunch and snacks, as it may be very busy and may not be enough time for eveyone to queue, order, wait then eat.

🎒WHAT TO BRING:

• Packed lunch and snacks
• Water (at least 2L)
• Sturdy hiking boots
• Layers and waterproof clothing
• Sun protection
• Medication and basic first aid (Compeed for blisters)
• Optional walking poles
• Fully charged phone
• Camera for some pictures
• This hike is for happy people, bring your happy face! 😊

📞CONTACT:

• If you have any questions, please private message the event host directly via Meetup.
• A contact phone number will be provided on the day.

❗DISCLAIMER:

• By joining this event, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted the Disclaimer and General Group Policy listed on our Meetup home page. You attend this walk at your own risk.

• 10:05 – Outside Dorking (Main) railway station

🥪 LUNCH:

• Packaged lunch at the top of Leith Hill (approx. 13:00, after ~12 km)

🚻 TOILETS:

• None en route – nature's facilities (bushes and trees)
• Facilities available at Denbies Visitor Centre at the end

🏁 WALK FINISHES:

• Approx. 17:30 at Dorking (Main) railway station

🔁 RETURN TRAINS:

• From Dorking (Main) to London Victoria or Horsham:
• 17:15 – Direct, arrives London 18:15
• 17:45 – Direct, arrives London 18:45
• Regular services available from Dorking Deepdene to Guildford or Reigate.

⚠️ TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY:

• Distance: 25 km (15.5 miles)
• Grading: Intermediate to Challenging
• Ascent: ~550 m | Descent: ~551 m
• Elevation range: 46 m to 294 m
• Hiking time: Approx. 5.5 to 6.5 hours
• Start/Finish: Dorking (Main) railway station
• Pace: Steady and moderate (4.2–5 km/h) – faster than a stroll, but relaxed enough for conversation and enjoying the surroundings (slower on hills, quicker on the flat)

🎒WHAT TO BRING:

• Packed lunch and snacks
• At least 2L of water
• Sturdy hiking boots
• Layers and waterproof clothing
• Sun protection
• Medication and basic first aid (Compeed for blisters)
• Optional walking poles (recommended for some hills)
• Fully charged phone
• Camera for scenic shots
• Most importantly – your happy face 😊

📞CONTACT:

• If you have any questions, please private message the event host directly via Meetup.
• A contact phone number will be shared on the day of the event.

❗DISCLAIMER:

• By joining this event, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted the Disclaimer and General Group Policy listed on our Meetup home page. You attend this walk at your own risk.

📸 CREDITS:

• Image licensed from: https://www.robertharding.com/

This circular route is rated moderate and best suited to intermediate hikers. It is not recommended for beginners. The riverside paths are mostly flat, while woodland sections feature moderate inclines and some uneven ground.

🌟 HIGHLIGHTS:

• Enjoy a peaceful walk along the scenic River Thames.
• Explore serene forests and moderate hills with sweeping valley views.
• Visit a charming village of red-brick cottages and a medieval church.
• Graceful birds of prey often seen soaring above the Chiltern Hills.
• Begin and end in a beautiful market town with riverside pubs and shops.

📍 MEETING POINT AND OUTBOUND TRAINS:

• It is recommended that we travel as a group to ensure everyone arrives at the starting point together, at the same time, and boards the same train. If the London service is delayed, we risk missing the Henley-on-Thames connection and may need to wait for the next available train.
• Please check National Rail web site for exact times on the day
• 08:15 – Meet outside the ticket office, London Paddington train Station
• 08:25 – Head to platform and board train
• 08:38 – Train departs London Paddington
• 09:07– Change at Twyford
• 09:15– Train departs Twyford (Platform 5) to Henley-On-Thames
• 09:27– Arrive at Henley-On-Thames
• 🎟️ Purchase a return ticket to Henley-On-Thames (~£15:85 with a Network Railcard)

🚶WALK STARTS:

• 09:30 – From Henley-On-Thames train station

🏁 WALK FINISHES:

• Approximately. 16:30– Henley-On-Thames

RETURN TRAINS:

• 17:30 – From Henley-On-Thames
• 17:42 – Change at Twyford
• 17:49 – Train departs Twyford (Platform 4) to London Paddington
• 18:20 – Arrive London Paddington

⚠️ TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY:

• Distance: ~26 km (16 miles)
• Walking Time: ~6 hours
• Total Duration: ~7 hours (including breaks)
• Ascent: 417 m | Descent: 414 m
• Max Elevation: 158 m | Min Elevation: 27 m
• Pace: Steady and moderate (4.5–5 km/h) – faster than a stroll, but relaxed enough for conversation and enjoyment of the surroundings.
• Difficulty: Moderate – mostly flat riverside paths with some steeper, uneven woodland sections. Best suited to intermediate walkers.

🥪 LUNCH

• Approx 13:00 (about 3.5 hours and 17.5 km into the hike)
• Please note: There are no pub or café stops for the 10-mile stretch leading up to the lunch break. Make sure to carry enough water💧 to stay hydrated throughout this section, we recommend bringing 2 to 3 litres on a really hot sunny day.

🎒WHAT TO BRING:

• Packed lunch and snacks
• Water (at least 2L) - On a hot day bring 3L as there is no water refils until lunch time.
• Sturdy hiking boots
• Layers and waterproof clothing
• Sun protection
• Medication and basic first aid (Compeed for blisters)
• Optional walking poles
• Fully charged phone
• Camera for some pictures

📞CONTACT:

• Message the event host directly via Meetup with any questions.

❗DISCLAIMER:
⚖️ Disclaimer & Group Policy
⚠️ Event Participation Disclaimer
By attending any hike, you acknowledge and agree:

• Organisers are not certified guides or first aiders
• Hikes are informal and self-guided
• Participation is voluntary and at your own risk
• We’re a recreational hobby group, not a business
• Outdoor activities carry risks; by joining, you accept them

📋 General Group Policy

• You join voluntarily at your own risk
• Organisers are not liable and have no professional duty of care
• You must arrange your own insurance if needed
• Follow Leave No Trace at all times
• Be ready for emergencies and changing weather
• Assess your fitness honestly
• Help may be offered, but rescue is not guaranteed
• No minors, participants must be over the age of 21
• Hosts may refuse entry to those who seem unfit or unsafe
• Carry your own basic first aid kit or minor injuries such as cuts, scrapes, bites, and blisters.

✅ Final Acknowledgement
By joining, you confirm that you understand and accept all the above. Your safety is your responsibility. Neither the host nor the group accepts responsibility for any injury, loss, or damage incurred.

SUMMARY:
🥾 23 km (14.3 miles) | Circular | Ascent: 708 m | ~7 hours
🚆 Direct train from London Marylebone
⛳️ Meeting Point: 2 Options
1- London Marylebone station Ticket Office | 08:40 (Train is at 08:57)
2- Wendover outside train station | 09:50
📍 Hike start: Wendover outside train station | 10:00
🏁 Hike finish: Wendover train station | approx. 17:00-18:00
⚠️ Steep and Uneven sections
📈 Grade: Moderate/Strenuous

ABOUT:
A 23 kilometre circular trail in the Chilterns from Wendover Station, Buckinghamshire.

The trail goes through woodlands and farmlands, featuring steady ascents and descents with great views including Bacombe Hill Nature Reserve, Coombe Hill summit, Beacon Hill, Whiteleaf Hill, Pulpit Hill nature reserve, and Goodmerhill Woods.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Bacombe Hill Local Nature Reserve
  This chalk grassland hill offers magnificent views over Aylesbury Vale. It is renowned for its rare wildflowers and butterflies, with orchids blossoming in spring.
• Coombe Hill
  As the highest viewpoint in the Chiltern Hills at 260 meters, Coombe Hill features the Coombe Hill Monument, which commemorates local men who perished in the Second Boer War. It provides extensive views over the Vale of Aylesbury and, on clear days, extends to the Cotswolds. The open grassland at the summit is an ideal spot for a pause and picnic.
• Beacon Hill
  This small, rounded summit with open grassy slopes is part of the Chequers Estate. Historically utilized for signaling with beacons, Beacon Hill offers panoramic views and conveys a sense of expansive open space.
• Whiteleaf Hill
  Whiteleaf Hill is home to the Whiteleaf Cross, a chalk hill carving that likely dates back to the 18th century or earlier. It contains a Neolithic barrow (burial mound), with excavations in the 1930s uncovering ancient remains and artifacts.
• Chequers Estate: A historic country house used as the official country residence of the British Prime Minister. It has been the designated retreat for Prime Ministers since 1917, when it was gifted to the nation by Sir Arthur Lee, a politician and former soldier, to provide future leaders a place to relax and host guests.
• Ninn Wood & Pulpit Hill Nature Reserve
  This area includes mixed broadleaf woodland with ancient trees and historic earthworks. Pulpit Hill houses an Iron Age hill fort, surrounded by banks and ditches that are now moss-covered and mysterious.

TIPS: 💡

• Scenic Points: Coombe Hill, Beacon Hill, and Whiteleaf Cross all offer great rest stops with views.
• Watch for red kites, deer, and ancient trees in Pulpit Hill and Goodmerhill Wood.
• Explore the Neolithic barrow on Whiteleaf Hill.

COST:
Free

TRAINS:

• Outbound: 08:57 from London Marylebone (direct train)
• Arrival: 09:46 at Wendover
• Visit National Rail for details

MEETING POINT & TIME:

• Meet: 2 Options
  1- London Marylebone station Ticket Office | 08:40
  2- Wendover outside train station | 09:50
• Hike start: Outside Wendover train station | 10:00
• Hike finish: Wendover train station | Approx. 17:00–18:00

DISTANCE AND DIFFICULTY:

• Total distance: approx 23km (14.3 miles)
• Ascent: 708 m
• Max elevation: 261 m
• Grading: Moderate/Strenuous
• Time: Approx. 7 hours (with breaks)
• Pace: 5 km/h (~3.1 mph)

GUIDE:
See attendee list

WHAT TO BRING:

• Water (2 litres recommended)
• Snacks and packed lunch
• Rainproof (ideally waterproof) clothing
• Sturdy shoes or hiking boots

SAFETY: ⚠️
As adults, you are fully responsible for your own safety and decisions throughout the walk.

• Steep and Slippery Sections:
  -Multiple hills (Coombe, Beacon, Whiteleaf, Pulpit) have steep ascents and descents.
  -In wet or frosty conditions, mud and chalk surfaces become very slippery, especially in woodlands.
• Sections like Little Hampden Common and parts of the nature reserves can feel isolated, with no mobile signal in some areas.
• Livestock and Farmland: You may cross grazing fields with sheep or cattle. Stay calm, keep distance.
• Always close gates behind you and stay on marked rights of way.

NOTES:

• This is a group hike led by volunteers. Everyone is welcome to join.
• A few wrong turns? That’s part of the fun!
• While you're free to “hike your own hike,” we encourage group participation, get to know one another, make new friends, and enjoy the journey together.
• Food options are limited en route, bring lunch.

DISCLAIMER:
Event Participation Disclaimer
By signing up for an event we host, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

• The organisers are not qualified hiking leaders, certified first aiders, or formally trained in navigation, survival, or any related disciplines.
• These hikes are informal, self-guided gatherings of like-minded individuals.
• The hosts expressly disclaim all responsibility and liability for any injuries, accidents, or safety incidents that may occur during participation.
• Participation is entirely voluntary, and all attendees are solely responsible for their own safety and well-being.
• These events are non-commercial and are organised purely as a recreational hobby, with no business or financial interests involved.
• Hiking and outdoor activities inherently carry risks of personal injury. By choosing to participate, you accept these risks and take full responsibility for your own actions and decisions.

GENERAL GROUP POLICY:

• Voluntary Participation: Attendance is at your own risk. The group and hosts bear no liability.
• No Professional Duty of Care: Hosts are volunteers, not trained guides or medical professionals.
• Insurance Is Your Responsibility: If desired, you must arrange your own personal insurance.
• Respect Nature: Follow Leave No Trace principles at all times.
• Emergency Preparedness: You are responsible for organising your own emergency plan.
• Weather and Safety: Events may be cancelled or changed if conditions are deemed unsafe.
• Self-Assessment Required: You must honestly assess your fitness and ability to keep pace with the group.
• No Guaranteed Rescue: While help may be offered, full rescue capabilities should not be expected.
• No Minors Without Guardians: Participants must be over 21.
• Right to Refuse Participation: Hosts may turn away any individual who appears unprepared or poses a safety risk to others.
• First Aid Preparedness Encouraged: It is highly recommended that each participant carries a small first aid kit for minor injuries such as cuts, scrapes, bites, and blisters.

FINAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT:
By attending this event, you confirm that you are participating voluntarily and at your own risk. Neither the host nor the group accepts responsibility for any injury, loss, or damage incurred.