I’m staying with a friend in Kentish Town and am hoping to get away for 1 night to do a solo hike. So I’d like to train to a town with a backpack in tow, and then walk about 10 miles to another town to overnight. Preferably not the Cotswolds only in that I am going there next year. I’d love to see the Jurassic coast but I think that might be too far by train? I’m open to anywhere that’s maybe a max of 4 hours training each way, just looking for nice scenery. This will be late October. Thanks for any suggestions you may have!
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
35653 posts
I don't have any suggestions for you, but a couple of notes.
At the end of October the sun (if any and that's no certainty) will be coming from the south and be low in the sky. If you walk from north to south you will have the glare (if any) all day. October tends to be a wet and windy month, but these days who knows.
If it is windy you might want the wind at your back.
Late October sounds like it may be around the day the clocks go back, 26th of October, so instead of dark at 5-ish it will be 4-ish.
The further north you are the shorter the days.
Information about Jurassic Coast walks at https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/jcbus/
You will of course check tides and winds before going near the coast. Tides can come up very quickly and a previously dry beach at the foot of the cliff can be completely submerged in a matter of minutes.
Lyme Regis doesn't have a station but Axminster does have (an unstaffed) one. About 3:20 from Waterloo (plus about half an hour from Kentish Town to Waterloo via Thameslink into London then however you choose to get to Waterloo, about 40 minutes slower to Axminster on a Sunday.
I hope it works out well for you.
Posted by
Bristol, UK
1846 posts
I’m going to suggest Bath to Bradford on Avon, or vice versa. It’s slightly shorter than 10 miles but you can add in diversions to various places along the way to extend it, eg Iford Manor Gardens. Both have a train station and places to stay. You follow the canal so it’s very easy.
I would make sure you time this so that you are walking before the clocks change as otherwise daylight is going to be problem.
https://www.countryfile.com/go-outdoors/walks/kennet-and-avon-canal-wiltshire-somerset
Posted by
OP
127 posts
Thank you so much, I will be there for the time change so something to factor in. I think I’ve changed my plan to just day trips, no overnights, and I’m a morning person so I’ll take off as early as possible to maximize light. I am expecting rain and also come from a rainy climate so I have good gear, but yes, it makes the scenery less spectacular if it’s a grey windy day. I’m going to research both your suggestions - thanks!
Posted by
Land of La
9845 posts
Day hikes I’ve enjoyed over the years: Walthamstow Wetlands, Parkland Trail from Finsbury Park to Crouch End, Putney to Barnes Bridge, Rotherhithe to the Thames Barrier, Hampstead to Highgate.
The Thames River path is quite nice. Chiswick to Hammersmith a favorite so I can enjoy a meal at Mari’s Deli.
Posted by
London
681 posts
If you're looking for day hikes within a day trip of London, I highly recommend checking out the National Trails: https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/
Within easy reach of London you could do a section of the Thames Path, the Ridgeway, North Downs Way, or South Downs Way. The great thing about these trails is they are (mostly) very clearly marked. I recommend getting the relevant OS map for whatever area you choose to do your hike in. When you buy the paper maps they also come with a free download of the map on the OS app which can be used even when you don't have signal. Good luck!