St Francis of Assisi Catholic Ramblers’ Club
Affiliated to the Ramblers Association and H.F. Holidays
Email: stfrancisramblers@gmail.com
List of Rambles for Summer (June to August) 2024
Saturday 1st June Leader: Margaret Brady OS Explorer map 147
Meet: Charing Cross 0950 for 1016 train to Sevenoaks (arr 1050). Also calls Waterloo East 1019, London Bridge 1025 and Orpington 1041.
Lunch: Igtham Moat (National Trust).
Tea: Maybe in Sevenoaks
Distance: 9 miles returning from Sevenoaks.
Fare: CDR Sevenoaks £10.50 / Boundary zone 6 £3.80. Both with railcard discounts.
Margaret will meet the ramblers at Sevenoaks.
Sunday 9th June Leader: Pauline Lobo OS Explorer map 195
Meet: Tottenham Hale 0950 for 1011 train to Stansted Mountfitchet (arr 1048). Train starts from Liverpool Street at 0957.
Lunch: Yew Tree, Manuden
Tea: Maybe in Stansted Mountfitchet
Distance: 11 miles returning from Stansted Mountfitchet. Two trains per hour back to London
This walk is through gently undulating Essex countryside via the parishes of Farnham, Manuden and Ugley. It is mainly along quiet lanes and footpaths that are generally well surfaced but some stretches may be muddy. Only one stile.
It's possible to cut two miles off the walk and go from Ugley Green to Elsenham Station to return to London. Please note there is only an hourly service from Elsenham.
Fare: CDR Stansted Mountfitchet £15.70 / Boundary zone 6 £10.05. Both with railcard discounts.
Pauline will meet the ramblers at Tottenham Hale.
Saturday 15th June Leader: David Crundall OS Landranger map 186
Meet: Waterloo 0910 for 0933 train to Guildford (arr. 1039). Also calls Vauxhall 0937, Clapham Junction 0942, Wimbledon 0949.
Or 0940 for 1000 fast train arriving Guildford 1033.
Lunch: The beauty spot at Newlands Corner has a basic café - the toilets behind should be open when the café is open.
There is another café called The Plucky Pheasant across the busy A25 road.
Tea: A wide choice of places in Guildford.
Distance: 8 miles, with some hills, returning from Guildford
Fare: CDR Guildford £13.95 / Boundary zone 6 £8.70. Both with railcard discounts.
David will join the train calling at Wimbledon, and at Guildford guide walkers through the town centre where there are takeaway facilities such as Prêt à Manger and others.
Saturday 22nd June Leader: Ant Connolly OS Landranger map 188
Meet: Charing Cross 0915 for 0934 train to Staplehurst (arr. 1033). Also calls Waterloo East 0937 and London Bridge 0943.
Lunch: Bell & Jorrocks, Frittenden https://www.thebellandjorrocks.co.uk/Kent-Real-Ale/file/traditional-pub-food.php. Churchyard nearby for a picnic lunch.
Tea: Sissinghurst Castle or The Milk House pub if time before catching bus.
Distance: 9 miles returning from Sissinghurst and then catch a bus back to Staplehurst where there are two trains per hour back to London.
We will only be visiting the admission free area of the Sissinghurst Castle gardens and if time permits, stop for a cuppa before going into the village to catch the hourly bus back to Staplehurst station.
In some parts the ground may be uneven and overgrown. Hiking poles, sturdy footwear - not trainers - and long trousers are recommended.
Fare: CDR Staplehurst £13.95 / Boundary zone 6 £10.85. Both with railcard discounts.
Ant is getting on at Waterloo East and will meet the walkers on the train.
Saturday 29th June Leader: Maria Vaz OS Explorer map 138
Dear Members,
Unfortunately, the planned lunch stop is closing down which necessitates a change to the Cockpit Cafe at the Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-le-Ferne a little further on from the pub.
The food choices are limited to Sandwiches, toasties and paninis. Hot and cold drinks, beer and wine are available.
Walkers are welcome to buy snacks and drinks on arrival in Folkestone, should they wish to.
There will be plenty of options in Dover for a main meal, including the Priory Arms just over from Dover Priory station.
The outward and return trains are still running as per the original details.
+ + + +
Dear Members,
Unfortunately, the planned lunch stop is closing down which necessitates a change to the Cockpit Cafe at the Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-le-Ferne a little further on from the pub.
The food choices are limited to Sandwiches, toasties and paninis. Hot and cold drinks, beer and wine are available.
Walkers are welcome to buy snacks and drinks on arrival in Folkestone, should they wish to.
There will be plenty of options in Dover for a main meal, including the Priory Arms just over from Dover Priory station.
The outward and return trains are still running as per the original details.
+ + + +
Saturday 29th June Leader: Maria Vaz OS Explorer map 138
Meet: St Pancras International 0845 for 0907 High Speed train to Folkestone Central (arr. 1002) for 1015 prompt start.
Also calls at Stratford International 0914 and Ashford International 0947.
Lunch: The Cockpit Cafe at the Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-le-Ferne
Tea: TBC
Distance: 11 miles returning from Dover. A scenic coastal ramble: some hills including steps to climb
Fare: High Speed train £27.15 Day Return to Dover Priory with railcard discounts.
Services also available from and to Charing Cross via Sevenoaks and Tonbridge. Please visit www.nationalrail.co.uk for times and fares, including from boundary zone 6.
Wednesday 10th July Short walk. Leader: Margaret Brady OS Landranger map 188
Meet: Blackfriars 1000 for 1016 train to Shoreham (Kent) (arr 1115). Also calls Denmark Hill 1028 - Mainline and Overground connections.
Lunch: Lullingstone Country Park. It is ideal for picnics, but there is a cafe.
Tea: Hmmm....
Distance: 4 miles returning from Shoreham taking in views of the lavender fields.
Fare: CDR Shoreham £10.10 / Boundary zone 6 £4.00 with Senior railcard discount. Otherwise £15.40 / £6.20 respectively.
Margaret will meet the ramblers at Shoreham. Please use facilities on the train as there are no toilets at Shoreham station.
Saturday 13th July Leader: Margaret Brady OS Landranger maps 177 and 188
Meet: Charing Cross 0910 for 0929 train to Otford (arr 1007). Also calls Waterloo East 0932 and London Bridge 0938.
Lunch: Lullingstone Country Park.
Tea: Let's see.
Distance: 8 miles returning from Swanley, going through Shoreham to see the lavender fields. https://www.castlefarmkent.co.uk/pages/visit-us
Fare: CDR Otford £10.50 / Boundary zone 6 £5.00 Both with railcard discounts.
Margaret will meet the ramblers at Otford.
Sunday 21st July Leader: Maurice Hickman OS Explorer map 121
Meet: Victoria 0910 for 0935 train to Arundel (arr 1102). Also calls at Clapham Junction 0942 and East Croydon 0953.
Lunch: Maypole Inn, Yapton
Tea: The George Inn (Wetherspoons), Littlehampton
Distance: 10 miles returning from Littlehampton. No demanding hills but some mud likely.
Fare: CDR Littlehampton £25.25 / Boundary zone 6 £20.90. Both with railcard discounts.
Other lower fair options available online, but with journey restrictions.
Maurice will meet the ramblers at Arundel.
Sunday 28th July Leaders: Sheila Bravin & Ant Connolly
OS Explorer map 174
Meet: Theydon Bois station, ticket barriers 1015 for a 1030 prompt start
Lunch: The Horseshoes Country pub, Upshire. Churchyard close by for picnic
Tea: Pubs and cafes at end
Distance: 8.5 miles returning from Theydon Bois. Pleasant walk through woods, walking past Copped Hall. Not muddy except in places after heavy rain.
Fare: Freedom pass/Oyster travel card options
Sheila and Ant will meet the ramblers at Theydon Bois station.
3rd/4th August No ramble - unless new leaders come forward.
Saturday 10th August Leader: Margaret Brady OS Explorer map 124
Meet: Charing Cross 0850 for 0915 train to Hastings (arr 1047). Also
calls Waterloo East 0918, London Bridge 0924 and Orpington 0940.
Lunch: NB Update Received on Friday 9 August: The lunch stop is the Coastguard Cafe, Fairlight. The cafe is next to the village church.
Tea: Hastings - plenty of choices.
Distance: 10 miles, with some hills, returning from Hastings.
Fare: CDR Hastings £24.45 / Boundary zone 6 £21.35. Both with railcard discounts.
Lower fares available online, but please note such tickets oblige the holder to use specific trains.
Margaret will meet the ramblers at Hastings
Saturday 17th August Leader: Kevin MacNamara OS Landranger map 175
Meet: Paddington station – Platform B – 09.00 for 09.17 Elizabeth line train to Taplow (arr 09.55). Ramblers can join this train at Whitechapel 09.02, Liverpool Street 09.05, Farringdon 0908, Tottenham Court Road 09.11, Bond Street 09.13 and Ealing Broadway 09.26.
Lunch: The Ferry, Cookham. Benches nearby for those bringing a picnic.
Tea: Let’s see.
Distance: About 9.50 miles, following the Thames Path, finishing at Marlow.
There is small amount of road walking from Taplow station to start of Thames Path. Could be muddy in parts, following wet weather.
Fare: CDR Taplow £14.80 / Boundary zone 6 £9.75. Plus, single Marlow to Maidenhead, changing for connecting train at Bourne End £ 3.60. All with railcard discounts.
Freedom passes and contactless cards are valid to Taplow, and from Maidenhead, but not PAYG Oyster or 60+ Oyster. If opting out at Cookham, the single fare back to Maidenhead is £2.50 with railcards.
Ramblers can opt out at Cookham station where there is an hourly train service back to Maidenhead, then change for services to Paddington.
Bank Holiday Monday 26th August Leader: Ant Connolly OS Explorer map 196
Meet: Liverpool Street 0905 for the 0930 train to Manningtree (arr 1025). Also calls Stratford 0937.
Lunch: The Sun Inn, Dedham. There are also Church grounds for a picnic lunch, a couple of nice cafes and the Marlborough pub in Dedham.
Tea: Flatford Mill
Distance: 9 miles mostly level miles returning from Manningtree. Can be muddy in places if there has been rain and three stiles. We will be visiting Flatford Mill after lunch with time to visit the John Constable museum and see the place where he had the inspiration for his famous Hay Wain painting.
Fare: CDR Manningtree £26.45 / Boundary zone 6 £20.25. Both with railcard discounts.
Ant will meet the ramblers at Manningtree station. Mobile: 07941 503 978
Saturday 31st August Leader: John Burbage OS Landranger map 187
Meet: Victoria 0920 for the 0941 train to Ockley (arr 1051). Train also calls Clapham Junction 0948, Balham 0953, Sutton 1013 and Epsom 1024.
Lunch: The Scarlet Arms, Walliswood. Atmospheric pub in a quiet village setting. Medium priced food with children’s portion options.
Tea: None
Distance: 12 miles mainly on the level in a quiet area on the Surrey / Sussex border. The morning walk is through woodland to the hidden Vann Lake then on to Walliswood.
After lunch we continue via open farmland and a deer park to Horsham Station. Frequent services back to London Bridge and Victoria
Fare: CDR Horsham £17.80 / Boundary zone 6 £9.80. Both with railcard discounts.
John will join the train en-route.
31st August/1st September - See Autumn programme
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