St Francis of Assisi Catholic Ramblers’ Club
Affiliated to the Ramblers Association and H.F. Holidays
www.stfrancisramblers.ukwalkers.com
Email: stfrancisramblers@gmail.com
List of Rambles for Winter (December 2022 - February 2023)
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Saturday 3rd December 2022 Leader: Brian Falls
OS Landranger map 153
Meet: St Pancras International - Platform B - 0950 for 1003 train to Ashwell and Morden (arr 1052).
Ramblers can also join this service at the following stations; East Croydon 0933, London Bridge 0948, Blackfriars 0954, Farringdon 0958 and Finsbury Park 1012.
Lunch: Waggon and Horses, Steeple Morden. Reasonably priced meals. Church across the road with seats for those with their own food.
Tea: Hmmm..........
Distance: 10 miles returning from Ashwell and Morden. Two direct trains per hour back to St Pancras International and points further south.
Very pleasant open countryside with good views across the counties, no stiles, some woods, and easy terrain for walking.
Fare: £9.80 CDR Ashwell and Morden / £6.60 from boundary zone 6. Both with railcard discounts.
Brian will meet the ramblers at Ashwell and Morden.
To view photographs taken on Brian's walk on 3 December click HERE
Saturday 10th December. Leader: Robert Slater OS Landranger map 193
Meet: St Pancras International - Platform B - 0935 for 0946 train to Stevenage (arr 1014). Ramblers can also join this service at the following stations; East Croydon 0915, London Bridge 0931, Blackfriars 0937, Farringdon 0941 and Finsbury Park 0954.
Lunch: The Rusty Gun, St Ippolyts. Isolated pub on the B465.
Tea: Angel Vaults - Wetherspoons - Hitchin.
Distance: 10 miles returning from Hitchin
Fare: £9.80 CDR Hitchin / £6.05 from boundary zone 6. Both with railcard discounts.
Robert will meet the walkers at Stevenage and has kindly requested those coming to use the toilets on the train as there needs to be a prompt start at Stevenage to comfortably arrive for the lunch booking which is quite early.
To view photographs taken on Robert's walk on 10 December click HERE
Wednesday 14th December. Short Walk. Leader: John Burbage
Meet: Battersea Power Station Underground Station (Northern Line) 1100 for 1105 start or Battersea Park Station (Southern) 1115.
Coffee: There will be a break for coffee during the walk.
Distance / Time: About 2 hours leisurely walk visiting Battersea Park with its Peace Pagoda, Walled Garden and lakes.
We then cross over to the Battersea Power Station redevelopment to see the Christmas Decorations in the Turbine Hall before returning to the Stations.
Optional visit to the USA Embassy gardens or a pre-Christmas tipple at a local hostelry!
Note: Toilet facilities available at Battersea Park Station and during the walk.
To view photographs taken on John's walk on 14 December click HERE
Sunday 18th December. Leader: Catherine Heckman OS Landranger map 173
Meet: Outside Stratford Station by the old steam engine (Robert) 1030 for 1045 start
Lunch: Eleanor Arms, Old Ford Road, Bow. They sell 10" pizzas for £5, but are also happy for people to eat their own or share food inside as long as pub drinks are purchased.
Tea: Yurt Cafe or The Craft Beer Co., Limehouse
Distance: 8 miles returning from Limehouse station. A walk through the Stratford canals, Victoria Park, Mile End park and Hertford canal to Limehouse.
Dropout points at the lunch-stop or Mile End station.
Fare: Oyster/Freedom pass/Travelcard options
Saturday 31st December. Leader: John Burbage OS Explorer map 146.
Meet: Waterloo 0910 for 0924 train to Box Hill & Westhumble (arr. 1011). Train also calls Vauxhall 0928, Clapham Junction 0933 and Wimbledon 0940. Or, London Bridge Station 0910 for 0928 train to Box Hill & Westhumble (arr. 1029).
Coffee: Walkers on the earlier train can get coffee at Ryka's famous Bikers Cafe.
Lunch: The popular Cock at Headley.
Tea: Ryka's if early enough.
Distance: About 8 miles with some steep hills in the morning but a gentle downhill walk after lunch.
Fare: £9.10 CDR Box Hill & Westhumble / £4.15 from boundary zone 6. Both with railcard discounts.
John will meet the Ramblers at Box Hill & Westhumble.
Bank holiday Monday 2nd January 2023 Leader: Maurice Hickman OS Explorer map 145
Meet: Blackfriars 0930 for 0954 train to Redhill (arr 1038) to connect with 1057 train to Gomshall arriving 1121. Train also calls Finsbury Park 0938, St Pancras International - Platform A - 0945, Farringdon 0949, London Bridge 1000 and East Croydon 1018.
Lunch: White Horse or Dabbling Duck Cafe, Shere.
Tea: Compasses, Gomshall.
Distance: 7 miles, returning from Gomshall
Fare : CDR Gomshall £9.95 / £6.20 from boundary zone 6. Both with railcard discounts.
To view photographs taken on Maurice's walk on 2 January click HERE
Please find below details of four more rambles for your enjoyment.
At some starting points there are no toilets so, where available, please use the facilities on the trains. This also helps with a prompt start to rambles once a train has arrived.
Sunday 8th January. Leader: John Burbage. Battersea power station and park.
Meet: Vauxhall Underground Station (Victoria Line) 1100 for a 1110 start. Note: U/G is next to Vauxhall train and bus stations.
Coffee: We will have a break for refreshments at a suitable point.
Lunch: Lunch will be taken at the end of the walk at a venue to be chosen on the day.
Distance: 6 to 7 miles along both sides of the Thames to view the reopened Battersea Power Station, Battersea Park and other overlooked gardens and points of interest.
Please Note: The area has become very popular recently and the walk will be adapted to suit the group and conditions on the day. The walk is on gravel, grass and paved paths so good walking shoes necessary.
Fare: Oyster / Freedom pass / Travelcard options
To view photographs taken on John's walk on 8 January click HERE
Saturday 14th January Leader: Margaret Brady OS Explorer map 147
Meet: Blackfriars 0930 for 0946 train to Shoreham (arr 1045). Also calls Peckham Rye 1001 - Overground and other mainline services.
Lunch: Polhill Garden Centre.
Tea: An infusion of dried leaves and boiling water, but not on this walk!!
Distance: 8 miles returning from Knockholt (zone 6). One steep hill in the morning.
Fare: Oyster / Freedom pass / Travelcard options plus single Swanley to Shoreham £2.90 with railcard discounts. Please note: Anyone using PAYG Oyster / contactless cards, these are not valid to Shoreham. You will need to get an earlier train to Swanley then tap out and join the Shoreham train departing 1036.
Margaret will meet the ramblers at Shoreham.
To view photographs taken on Margaret's walk on 14 January click HERE
Sunday 22nd January Leader: Ant Connolly. Roman London, City Churches and Church Ruins walk.
Meet: Outside Tower Hill UG by coffee kiosk at 10.20 for 10.30 prompt start
Lunch: Crosse Keys - Wetherspoons - Gracechurch Street, EC3
Tea: Farringdon. Cafes and pubs
Distance: 5 miles of a social meander around the City, visiting the temple of Mithras, segments of the Roman wall, a few interesting Churches and old Church ruins. Finishing at Farringdon station, lots of drop-out opportunities
Fare: Oyster / Freedom pass / Travelcard options
Photographs taken on Ant's walk above can be seen by clicking HERE
Sunday 29th January Leader: Antoinette Adkins OS Explorer map 161
Meet: Waterloo 1005 for 1027 train to Hampton Court (arr 1103) for 1110 prompt start. Also calls Clapham Junction 1036 and Wimbledon 1043
Lunch: The Place to Eat, John Lewis, Kingston Bridge, after 4 miles approx. Lunches/snacks at reasonable prices. Anyone wishing to drop out can do so at this point.
Tea: Possibly
Distance: 9 miles returning from Richmond station (various other drop out points if needed). Anyone feeling energetic could walk the extra 2 miles to Kew Bridge.
Fare: Oyster / Freedom pass / Travelcard options
Antoinette will join the train at Clapham Junction.
Photographs taken on this walk can be seen HERE
Saturday 4th February Leader: Philip Groves OS Explorer map 122
NB: Details republished on Thursday 2 February with additional details of cost of travel from Boundary Zone 6
Meet: Victoria 0830 for 0854 train to Lewes (arr 0956). Also calls Clapham Junction 0901 and East Croydon 0910 - Thameslink services and other connections
Lunch: The Abergavenny Arms, Rodmell
Tea: Fuego, Lewes (at end of the walk)
Distance: Around 12 miles, four hills, bring a torch just in case
Fare: CDR Lewes £21.55 / from boundary zone 6 £15.55. Both with railcard discounts.
Philip will meet the group at Lewes.
Sunday 12th February Leader: John Burbage OS Explorer map 174
Meet: Liverpool Street 0930 for the 0949 Overground service to Chingford (arr 1015). Train calls at Walthamstow Central 1005 (Victoria line).
Coffee: Humphrey's Cafe, Highams Park
Lunch: At the end of the walk, The Rookwood Village, Cann Hall Road. Reasonable prices and wide selection with pizzas popular amount the locals.
Distance: 9 miles mainly on the level. The walk follows the River Ching valley, a prettier little sister to the Lea Valley with woods, lakes and heathland.
The ramble ends at the pub at Wanstead Flats where buses leave for Stratford Station (Various sevices) and Leyton (Central Line).
Leytonstone (Central Line) is about 20 minutes walk, and Wanstead Park (Barking - Gospel Oak Overground) around 10 minutes.
Fare: Oyster / Freedom pass / Travelcard options
Please note: Parts of the walk may be quite muddy, so appropriate footwear is essential.
Photographs taken on this walk can be seen HERE
Sunday 19th February Leader: Tom Gilmartin OS Explorer map 202
Meet: Charing Cross 0920 for 0935 train to Eden Park (arr 1014). Also calls Waterloo East 0938, London Bridge 0944 and Lewisham 0954.
Lunch: Downham, Bromley Road. Many cafes and takeaways available.
Tea: Bankers Draft - Wetherspoons - Eltham, still open. Also, a McDonalds directly opposite.
Distance: 8 miles finishing at Eltham. Mainly flat terrain, no stiles, kissing gates, or hills. Variety of Bird life in Kelsey Park, Swans, Ducks, Geese, Gulls etc. Regular services from Eltham to London Bridge, Kentish Town via Blackfriars, Farringdon and St Pancras International, and Victoria.
Fare: Oyster / Freedom pass / Travel card options.
Please be advised that there are no toilets at Eden Park, toilets are available at Charing Cross and London Bridge. Tom will meet the ramblers at Eden Park.
Photographs taken on this walk can be seen HERE
Sunday 26th February Leader: Maurice Hickman OS Explorer Map 146
Meet: Blackfriars 0930 for 0950 train to Redhill (arr 1030).
This service also calls West Hampstead Thameslink 0928, St Pancras International - Platform A - 0942, Farringdon 0946, London Bridge 0956 and East Croydon 1012.
Lunch: The Skimmington Castle, Reigate Heath (Early lunch)
Tea: The kiosk at the top of Reigate Hill
Distance: 10 miles returning from Redhill. Fairly flat in the morning, but in the afternoon we climb up Reigate Hill, have tea, enjoy the view, and come down again to Redhill.
Fare: CDR Redhill £8.75 / boundary zone 6 £3.45. Both with railcard discounts.
Maurice will meet the ramblers at Redhill.
Photographs taken on this walk can be seen HERE
The Programme for Spring 2023 can also now be seen HERE beginning with the walk on Sunday 5th March to be led by Ant Connolly in the Deptford/Greenwich area.
Club Committee 2019/2020
A General Meeting was held on Saturday 29 October 2022. A new committee was elected but details have not yet been notified. They will appear here when available,
The club’s general email address is: stfrancisramblers@gmail.com
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