Heading to London in July, 2020. We would like one day to relax and hike/walk. I have found websites with some hikes that are somewhat close by but......we are not renting a car, would like to train and NOT have to take a bus after sitting on a train. For example, the Seven Sisters hike seems like you have to train to Bristol then take a bus ride for 45 minutes. Has anyone gone on organized 1 day hikes in small groups that provide transportation or....can you get a taxi/Uber from a train station at a reasonable price. Any ideas are welcome as we are looking for a hassle free, relaxing day without too much time being spent on getting there. Thanks
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1526 posts
Here's one that is easily accessed from London: www.nationaltrail.co.uk/thames-path.
Posted by
38 posts
How about the Capital Ring Walk - Wimbledon Park to Richmond, or add on Richmond to Osterley if you want a longer walk. Start and finish at stations and get a flavour of the countryside on the edge of London. https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/walking/capital-ring
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17563 posts
Some thoughts:
Try searching the Ramblers’ website for organized walks:
Or search the National Trail website for walks along the South Downs or Ridgeway paths, or the Thames Path, that connect two train stations within reasonable walking distance of one another.
We have walked the Thames Path from Henley-on-Thames and back in a loop and run into a group of Ramblers’ out for a walk (with a pub stop for a pint) and they seemed a congenial group.
A walking area we really enjoy is the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, near Lulworth Cove. You can wander this path for miles, passing scenic Durdle Door and other landmarks, or visit abandoned village of Tyneham, requisitioned during the war for D-Day preparations and never returned to the villagers. Scroll down to the Walking area on this website:
https://jurassiccoast.org/visit/attractions/durdle-door/
The visitor center in Lulworth Cove can provide you with maps and suggestions for walking. The get there, you would have a 2-hour train ride to Poole from Waterloo Station. Then ask a taxi to take you to Lulworth Cove, about a 10-minute ride if I recall correctly.
If you want more possibilities and a shorter train ride, it would be worth investing in a guidebook like “country Walks: 52 Walks near London in the Time Out Guides. I am aging there will be used copies on Amazon. They give complete directions for access and completing the walks, most of them loops.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5867 posts
There is a website that lists the country walks to which Lola refers
https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/book_1/
https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/book_2/
If you scroll down you will see a list of the walks. Each has directions, transportation info, and places to stop en route for refreshment.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17563 posts
Thank you, Laura. I did not know they had the walks on a website—-and it is even updated! Now I don’t have to carry our book to London next time.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11799 posts
How long should your hike be and how challenging? Are you open to “urban hikes” that is, walking around untouristed/less-touristed parts of London?
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3398 posts
A friend of mine owns a walking club in the midlands. Her walks occur all around her area, including some in and around London. She is lovely and you'll be walking with locals who regularly go out with her to explore the countryside.
Adventure Geek here is her website.
Here is her schedule of events.
Posted by
OP
45 posts
Thank you for all of the replies. I am looking through all of the information. Very much appreciated.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34010 posts
The Seven Sisters is on the south coast between Eastbourne and Brighton. Easy train from London Victoria station and bus or sometimes open-top bus to the magnificent Seven Sisters. I know you don't want a bus, but this one is pretty simple...
Walking through Brighton's Lanes can also be illuminating.
I'm afraid that if you go to Bristol you won't be close to your destination.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17563 posts
Indeed, it is Brighton not Bristol you want for the Seven Sisters.
According to this website, the recommended walk is from Seaford to Eastbourne, passing the Seven Sisters on the way. You can get to Seaford either by taking a train to Brighton and then a bus from there to Seaford, or by train all the way to Seaford, hanging trains at Lewes.
https://moonhoneytravel.com/seven-sisters-cliffs-walk-seaford-to-eastbourne/
I did not confirm their details, but according to them the all-train journey from Victoria Station to .seaford is 1.5 hours. That does nor sound onerous for such a spectacular walk.
Note that the Seven Sisters are now on the “bucket list” of many selfie takers for posting on Instagram, etc.. You may find the site itself quite crowded. But the walk itself should still be nice.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34010 posts
just don't go too close to the edge, especially if the wind is offshore or variable.