St Francis of Assisi Catholic Ramblers Club
Affiliated to the Ramblers Association and H,F. Holidays
A Mail: stfrancisramblers@gmail.com
List of Rambles for Spring (March - May) 2023
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PLEASE NOTE - THE MEETING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ANT'S WALK ON 5 MARCH 2023 WERE CHANGED ON THE DAY BEFORE THE WALK
Sunday 5th March Leader Ant Connolly OS Explorer map 161
Meet: Blackfriars 0955 for 1010 train to Greenwich (arr 1027). Meet outside mainline entrance on Greenwich High Road. Toilet facilities available.
Train starts from West Hampstead Thameslink 0952 and also calls at Kentish Town 0956, St Pancras International - Platform A - 1001, Farringdon 1005 and London Bridge 1016.
Coffee/comfort stop early in walk at the Dog & Bell pub, Deptford
Lunch: Moby Dick pub, Greenland Dock (menu attached).
Another option available is if people wish to go to the Surrey Docks (Wetherspoons) pub at Surrey Quays which is a short walk away.
Tea: Choice of pubs near Rotherhithe station
Distance: 7.5 miles easy walk finishing at Rotherhithe (Overground) via the Jubilee Greenway (Thames path), Stave Hill Ecological park and Southwark Park.
Canada Water (Jubilee/Overground) is not far from Rotherhithe station.
Fare: Oyster / Freedom pass / Travel card options.
Ant will meet the walkers at Greenwich.
Sunday 12th March Leader: Pauline Lobo
Meet: Euston Station - Main concourse at the top of the escalators from the Northern and Victoria Lines - for a 10.30am start.
For those planning to come via Euston Square - Circle and Metropolitan lines - it's about 5 minutes' walk away.
Lunch: St James Park cafe.
Tea: Imperial War Museum
Distance: 8 miles on a trail which takes in the peace monuments en-route finishing at the IWM.
For those who wish to attend, there is 6.00pm Mass at St Georges Cathedral which is opposite the museum.
Fare: Oyster/Freedom Pass/Travelcard options
At the end, as well as a choice of bus routes, walkers have three options for tube services: Lambeth North (Bakerloo), Elephant and Castle (Northern) and Southwark (Jubilee).
Also, the following mainline stations are reasonably accessible from the IWM; London Bridge, Waterloo, and Blackfriars (via the entrance on the south side of the Thames).
To see photographs taken on this walk please click HERE
Sunday 19th March Leader: Brian Falls OS Landranger map 153
Meet: Kings Cross 0850 for 0912 train to Arlesey (arr 0949). Also calls Finsbury Park 0918.
Coffee: Cherry Lane Garden Centre, Langford
Lunch: NB Changed from the White Horse, Southill venue previously notified and will now be at The Green Man in Stanford. Walkers are allowed to eat their sandwiches in the garden but not inside and, as stated below Brian has advised that it would be best to bring a packed lunch as the pub may be busy because of it being mothering Sunday.
Tea: Shefford or Henlow
Distance: 13 miles returning from Arlesey . Mainly flat terrain. Fare: CDR Arlesey £9.80 / Boundary zone 6 £6.60. Both with railcard discounts.
Brian will meet the ramblers at Arlesey
To see photographs taken on this walk please click HERE
Saturday 25th March Leader: Margaret Brady OS Landranger Map 188
Meet: Blackfriars 0930 for 0946 train to Eynsford (arr 1041).
Ramblers can also catch this train at Peckham Rye 1001 (Overground and mainline services) and Bromley South 1023 (Trains from Victoria).
Lunch: The Crown, Shoreham, Kent.
Tea: Hmmmm.............
Distance: 10 miles returning from Eynsford. It will be muddy and steep in parts; please bring hiking poles.
Fare: CDR Eynsford £8.70 / Boundary zone 6 £3.35. Both with railcard discounts.
Margaret will meet the ramblers at Eynsford. Please use toilet facilities on the train as there are none at the start.
Sunday 2nd April Leader John Burbage OS Landranger map 187
Meet: Victoria 0910 for the 0930 train to Epsom (arr. 1032). Also calls Clapham Junction 0939, Balham 0945 and West Croydon 1005.
Alternatively, Waterloo 0940 for the 1002 train (arr. 1038). Also calls Clapham Junction 1012 and Wimbledon 1020.
Lunch: Late lunch stop at the end of the walk at the Cricketers, Epsom, or similar. Bring a snack for a break during the walk.
Tea: No
Distance: 10 miles mainly on the level through remote woodlands of Prince’s Coverts, Ashtead and Epsom Commons returning from Epsom.
Fare: CDR Epson £8.10 / boundary zone 6 £2.35. Both with railcard discounts.
There is 8am Mass at Westminster Cathedral.
To see photographs taken on this walk please click HERE
Good Friday 7th April Leader: Maurice Hickman OS Landranger map 187
Meet:Blackfriars at 1045 for 1109 train to Three Bridges (arr 1149).
Ramblers can also join this service at Finsbury Park 1052, St Pancras International 1100 - Platform A, Farringdon 1104, London Bridge 1115 and East Croydon 1129.
Lunch: The Coachman’s Halt, Maidenbower
Tea: Snooty Fox, Three Bridges
Distance: 8 miles, returning from Three Bridges.
Fare: CDR Three Bridges £7.85 with railcard discounts. Curiously, the fare from boundary zone 6 seems to be 5p more. Can anyone advise on this please?
We will be attending the 3pm Good Friday service at Worth Abbey, so it is important to remove your boots before you go in to the church to ensure no traces of mud are left on the premises.
Maurice will meet the ramblers at Three Bridges.
Wednesday 12th April. Leader: John Burbage. Short Walk Bushy Park. OS Explorer map 161.
Meet: Teddington Station 1115. Trains leave Waterloo as follows: 1027 calling Clapham Junction 1036 and Wimbledon 1043. Arriving 1105.
1030 calling at Clapham junction 1040 and Richmond 1058. Arriving 1110.
Coffee: Bushy Park Visitor Centre (card only).
Description: A gentle 2 hour stroll around this large open deer park visiting the Willow Plantation, Diana Fountain and various streams and ponds with abundant birdlife. Returning from Hampton Wick.
Fare: Oyster / Freedom pass / Travel card options.
To see photographs taken on this walk please click HERE
Urgent Stop Press.
Unfortunately the following Message from our Ramble List Compiler only arrived with me on Friday 14 April:
Dear Members,
The original lunch stop only yesterday evening advised Derek that they will be closed tomorrow Saturday 15 April for a private function.
With this is mind, walkers will have to bring their own packed lunch and a drink which needs to be bought before boarding the outbound train.
There will be the opportunity to enjoy a hot meal and drinks when back in St Neots.
The full details of tomorrow's ramble are below with the amendments included.
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Saturday 15th April Leaders: Derek and Mary Clarke OS Explorer Map 225
Meet: St Pancras International - Platform B - 0850 for 0916 train to St Neots. Ramblers can also catch this train at East Croydon 0845, London Bridge 0901, Blackfriars 0907, Farringdon 0911, and Finsbury park 0924.
Lunch: Please bring your own supplies.
Tea: Late lunch at the end in St Neots - venue to be decided.
Distance: 13 miles along a series of pretty ponds and lakes at Paxton Pits with a riverside stretch along the River Great Ouse to enjoy. Returning from St Neots. Train every 30 minutes back to St Pancras International and points further south.
Fare: CDR St Neots £13.75 / Boundary zone 6 £9.55. Both with railcard discounts.
Derek and Mary will meet the ramblers at St Neots. Please use toilet facilities on the train as there are none at the start.
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To see photographs taken on the above walk please click HERE
Sunday 23rd April Leader: Pauline Lobo OS Explorer map 160
Meet: Waterloo 0915 for 0939 train to Egham (arr 1020). Also calls Clapham Junction 0949 and Richmond 0959.
Lunch: Visitor centre in Windsor Great Park
Tea: Let's see.
Distance: 10 miles returning from Virginia Water on gently undulating terrain via Runnymead, Commonwealth Air Forces, Magna Carta and Kennedy Memorials.
In Windsor Great Park our route takes us past the Saville Garden, Smiths Lawn and the Valley Gardens with a display of Azaleas and Rhododendrons.
Fare: CDR Virginia Water £8.25 / Boundary zone 6 £3.95. Both with railcard discounts.
To see photographs taken on the above walk please click HERE
Saturday 29th April Leader: Margaret Brady OS Landranger map 188
Meet: Victoria 0930 for 0952 train to Paddock Wood (arr 1047)
Lunch: At the end of the walk - Please bring a sustaining snack for a stop along the way.
Late lunch: TBC - Most likely the Humphrey Bean, Tonbridge (Wetherspoons).
Distance: 7 mostly level miles returning from Tonbridge.
Fare: CDR Paddock Wood £12.00 / Boundary zone 6 £8.60 Both with railcard discounts.
Margaret will meet the ramblers at Paddock Wood. Please use toilet facilities on the train as there are none at the start.
To see photographs taken on the above walk please click HERE
Bank Holiday Monday 1st May Leader: Maurice Hickman OS Explorer map 146
Meet: Blackfriars at 0940 for 0954 train to Redhill (arr 1035). Then change for the 1043 train to Dorking Deepdene (arr 1055).
Ramblers can also join the service to Redhill at Finsbury Park 0938, St Pancras International - Platform A - 0945, Farringdon 0949,
London Bridge 1000 and East Croydon 1017.
Lunch: The Dolphin, Betchworth
Tea: Priory Park, Reigate
Distance: 8 miles, returning from Reigate
Fare: CDR Dorking Deepdene £9.30 / Boundary zone 6 £6.60 Both with railcard discounts.
Maurice will meet the ramblers at Redhill to guide everyone to the connecting train.
To see photographs taken on the above walk please click HERE
Bank Holiday Monday 8st May Leader: John Sealy OS Explorer map 161
Meet: Victoria 0940 for 1000 train to Waddon (arr 1037). Train calls at Clapham Junction 1009, Balham 1015 and West Croydon 1034.
Ramblers can also use the 1025 train from London Bridge which arrives Waddon 1047.
Lunch: The William Morris, Merton Abbey Mills. Other food venues also available at Merton Abbey.
Tea: Hmmm.......
Distance: 10 miles via common land and parks, all following the beautiful Wandle Way and finishing in Wandsworth.
Fare: Oyster / Freedom pass / Travelcard options.
John will meet the ramblers at Waddon
To see photographs taken on the above walk please click HERE
Saturday 13th May Leader: Ant Connolly OS Landranger map 196
Unfortunately this walk has had to be cancelled due to engineering works.
Sunday 14th May Leader: Ant Connoly OS Explorer map 174
NB: Due to the pub not being able to accommodate us at a time suitable for the walk, some changes have been made. Bold text denotes the changes and please also note that the walk will now be ending at Turkey Street.
Meet: Liverpool Street 0955 for 1014 train to Turkey Street (arr 1046). Also calls Seven Sisters - Victoria Line - 1032.
Please use toilets at Liverpool Street as there are none on the train or at Turkey Street.
Coffee: Comfort stop at Myddelton House Gardens and a stroll around the gardens
Lunch: Rose & Crown, Clay Hill (Sunday roasts and small plates https://roseandcrownclayhill.co.uk/our-menu/) . There are benches nearby for a picnic.
Please advise if you require a pub lunch by 12th May.
Distance: 7 leisurely miles returning from Gordon Hill station. Walking to Forty Hall from Myddelton House Gardens, heading towards the pub for lunch.
Please bring a snack for the morning as lunch will be towards the end of the walk.
Fare: Oyster / Freedom Pass / Travelcard options.
To see photographs taken on the above walk please click HERE
Sunday 21st May Leader: Antoinette Adkins OS Explorer map 161
Meet: Richmond station ticket hall 1030 for 1045 start. Latest departure from Waterloo 1009, calling at Vauxhall 1013 and Clapham Junction 1019.
District Line and Overground services also run to Richmond.
Lunch: Pembroke Lodge. Café, Stall selling hot drinks & snacks or picnic lunch.
Tea: Wibbas Down Inn (Wetherspoons), Wimbledon.
Distance: 8 miles finishing in Wimbledon. Option to finish at the common and catch a bus into the centre of Wimbledon.
A pleasant walk via Isabella Plantation to see the late Rhododendron blooms, and then onto Cannizaro Gardens and Wimbledon Common.
Fare: Oyster / Freedom Pass / Travelcard options.
Thursday 25th May - Short Walk - Gardens of Chiswick House. Leader: John Burbage OS Explorer map 161
Meet: Chiswick Station 11.20 for a 11.30 start. Train leaves Waterloo 10.52 calling Vauxhall 1056 and Clapham Junction 11.02 arriving 11.17.
Alternatively, bus E3 from outside Turnham Green U/G Station (District line) leaves frequently and takes 14 minutes.
Refreshments: We will stop for a refreshment/comfort break during the walk.
Length: About 2 hours walk with stops.
We visit the beautiful gardens of Chiswick House, the home of the famous painter, satirist and critic William Hogarth and St. Nicholas Church, his last resting place.
Fare: Oyster / Freedom pass / Travelcard options.
John will meet the ramblers at Chiswick.
Sunday 28th May Leader: Philip Groves OS Explorer map 181
Meet: Euston 0900 for 0925 train to Tring (arr 1002)
Lunch: Late lunch at The Greyhound, Aldbury
Tea: Berkhamsted
Distance: Around 15 miles, some hills, returning from Berkhamsted
Fare: CDR Tring £11.55 / Boundary zone 6 £8.10. Both with railcard discounts.
Philip will meet the ramblers at Tring.
Details of rambles up to 17 June can now be seen on the developing Summer 2023 Programme HERE
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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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