Saturday Walkers Club

We are a London & South East England based hiking club.

The south east is criss-crossed by public footpaths which can take you to wildflower meadows, heathland, castles, historic houses and gardens, ancient forests, country villages, cosy pubs, medieval churches, beaches, and unspoilt countryside. All an hour or so from London by train.

Walks to download

We have 400+ free-to-use public transport friendly walks, complete with directions, maps, and GPS data for you to download and enjoy.

Get walking!

This week's club walks

We have several club walks every week which are free to join.

Everybody welcome, especially visitors to London!

400+ walks

Day walks, short walks, urban walks and coastal walks. Mainly in the southeast, but also Brecon, Gower, Sheffield, Dorset, Calais, and Norflok,

Approaching Wendover
Approaching Wendover

May-04 • Peter Conway • On flickr

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Princes Risborough to Wendover

The Ridgeway, lovely views and the Chilterns.

Branches, view
Branches, view

Saunderton to Bledlow

Feb-12 • moontiger • On flickr

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Saunderton via Bledlow Circular

The Chilterns: the Ridgeway Path over an open ridge, returning by peaceful and secluded valleys.

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1006120062

Dual language sign to Pooh Bridge

Jun-10 • Sean O'Neill • On picasa

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Ashurst Circular

A walk via Pooh Bridge to the attractive Wealden village of Hartfield, with a longer option over the elevated heathland of Ashdown Forest.

Sandbanks
Sandbanks

Branksome to Swanage walk

Sep-18 • Saturdaywalker • On flickr

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Branksome to Swanage or Corfe Castle

Lovely coastal walk via a busy prom, a short ferry crossing, the start the South West Coast Path, Studland Bay (a sandy beach), Old Harry (cliffs) to a seaside resort or ridge walk to Corfe Castle. Return by bus.

Long man of Wilmington
Long man of Wilmington

Berwick to Eastbourne

Jun-08 • moontiger • On flickr

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Berwick to Eastbourne

A reservoir, then the South Downs Way past pretty villages (Jevington and Wilmington) and a ridge walk.

Cliff Edge - is he a mate of Marty Wilde and Billy Fury?
Cliff Edge - is he a mate of Marty Wilde and Billy Fury?

View of Seven Sisters from the west. David A. Vivitar 5199

Aug-07 • magyardave2002 • On flickr

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Glynde to Seaford

The best walk in the book! A South Downs ridge, picture postcard Alfriston, Cuckmere Haven (beach), and cliffs with views of the Seven Sisters. Long but worth it.

Northerly View from The Trundle: Singleton and the Rother Valley through gap in South Downs main ridge
Northerly View from The Trundle: Singleton and the Rother Valley through gap in South Downs main ridge

SWC Walk 239 Halnaker to Chichester via Cass Sculpture Park and Goodwood

Aug-17 • Thomas Grabow • On flickr

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Halnaker to Chichester via Goodwood

Scenic steep chalk downlands around the Upper Lavant Valley, the Goodwood Estate and unrivalled views from St. Roche's Hill

Hastings Old Town
Hastings Old Town

Aug-04 • Peter Conway • On flickr

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Hastings to Rye

Seaside Hastings, a hilly cliff walk with 4 steep climbs and a remote naturist beach. Gentle afternoon to historic Winchelsea and Rye via a noted viewpoint.

First section (anticlockwise)
First section (anticlockwise)

Lewes Circular walk

Jun-15 • Saturdaywalker • On flickr

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Lewes Circular via Glynde and Southease

An energetic walk over 3 separate hills in the South Downs NP with great views throughout.

Book 2, Walk 28, Seaford to Eastbourne
Book 2, Walk 28, Seaford to Eastbourne

The Seven Sisters from Birling Gap, 23 Sept 2006

Sep-06 • MEW2005 • On flickr

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Seaford to Eastbourne

The best walk in the Southeast! A dramatic cliff walk passing Cuckemere Haven, the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head as the South Downs meets the sea. Ends with Eastbourne's promenade and pier.

Sussex border path approaching Cousley Wood
Sussex border path approaching Cousley Wood

May-16 • quitenearmike • On flickr

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Wadhurst via Bewl Water Circular

This walk follows the Sussex Border path to Bewl Water, then follows its banks back to Wadhurst for tea. Gentle gradients but never flat.

Beach near Barton-on-Sea
Beach near Barton-on-Sea

Sep-24 • Saturdaywalker • On flickr

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Lymington to Barton-on-Sea

Easy coastal walk along the Solent Way with views towards the Isle of Wight. Return by bus.

Looking back to St Margarets
Looking back to St Margarets

Jun-12 • Saturdaywalker • On flickr

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Dover to Deal

Easy cliff walk following the Saxon Shore Way along the 'White Cliffs of Dover' to historic Deal

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CIMG7517

Eynsford Viaduct

Jul-13 • Sean O'Neill • On picasa

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Eynsford Circular via Otford

A contrast between hidden valleys in the North Downs and the Darent Valley Path through three interesting villages.

Cliff Top Cafe
Cliff Top Cafe

Folkestone Circular walk

Jun-15 • Saturdaywalker • On flickr

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Folkestone to Dover

Coastal Walk along the cliffs to Dover via Folkestone Warren.

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CIMG6359

Wood anemones, Selsdon Wood

May-13 • Sean O'Neill • On picasa

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Warlingham Circular

Bluebell woods, fields, valleys and nature reserves on the London/Surrey border.

On the escarpment before lunch
On the escarpment before lunch

Sandling to Wye walk

May-12 • Saturdaywalker • On flickr

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Sandling to Wye

Pretty Ridge Walk along the North Downs Way with lovely views. Nice pubs for lunch and tea

View from hill above Otford
View from hill above Otford

Nov-03 • Catherine Ames • On flickr

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Otford Circular via Romney Street

A short walk packed with variety and fine views, bluebell woods in season, a pretty village and a short train journey

Avebury Standing Stones, SW quartile
Avebury Standing Stones, SW quartile

SWC Walk 255 Pewsey Circular via Avebury

Aug-15 • Thomas Grabow • On flickr

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Pewsey Circular via Avebury

Long walk over Wiltshire downs to Avebury World Heritage Site

DSCF0958
DSCF0958

Rock Inn, Hoath Corner

Jun-09 • Sean O'Neill • On picasa

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Leigh and Penshurst

The Eden valley, Penshurst Place and a rural pub for lunch.

Botany Bay
Botany Bay

Aug-18 • Saturdaywalker • On flickr

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Ramsgate to Margate

Easy coastal walk with fine cliff top views, 3 classic seaside resorts, and a number of stunning sandy bays and coves that make it a great swimming walk

Escarpment view
Escarpment view

Sevenoaks Circular walk

Apr-14 • Saturdaywalker • On flickr

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Sevenoaks Circular

Out via the National Trust's Knole Park, House, and Igtham Mote. Back by the Greensand Way along the escarpment of the Kent Downs.

21 My private beach
21 My private beach

May-14 • Saturdaywalker • On flickr

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Hunstanton to Cromer

A quiet coastal path with wide beaches, sand dunes, salt and freshwater marshes, nature reserves, barrier islands, and lots of birds.

Hambleden
Hambleden

Sep-09 • JonCombe • On flickr

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Henley Circular via Great Wood

The Thames Path in the morning, historic Hambledon for lunch, and back via the hills above Henley in the afternoon. Short but pretty.

Flat Isley, Ashridge Estate
Flat Isley, Ashridge Estate

May-17 • Saturdaywalker • On flickr

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Tring Circular

The Chilterns: An open ridge walk to Ivinghoe Beacon, gentle forests, and a classic village pub for tea.

Steventon sign
Steventon sign

Overton Circular walk

Feb-19 • Saturdaywalker • On flickr

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Overton Circular

North Hampshire hills and Jane Austen's literary landscape

Chawton House (from the permissive path)
Chawton House (from the permissive path)

Alton Circular walk

Oct-25 • Saturdaywalker • On flickr

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Alton Circular

Long but gentle walk visiting Selborne and Chawton, which inspired Jane Austen (writer) and Gilbert White (naturalist)

Start of the Valley Ending
Start of the Valley Ending

Hassocks to Upper Beeding walk

Aug-16 • Saturdaywalker • On flickr

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Hassocks to Upper Beeding

3 steep hills with fine views before lunch at Devil's Dyke. A gentle ridge walk in the afternoon to Upper Beeding (short bus ride to Shoreham station)

A Walker on Stanage Edge
A Walker on Stanage Edge

SWC Walk 266 - Sheffield to Bamford (via Burbage Rocks and Stanage Edge) or to Moscar Lodge

Jun-16 • Thomas Grabow • On flickr

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Sheffield to Bamford via Stanage Edge

From Sheffield's urban centre through narrow valleys and across wild moorland to the Dark Peak's gritstone edges, and a lush finish into the Hope Valley

Picws Du, from Fan Foel
Picws Du, from Fan Foel

SWC Walk 86 Fan Brycheiniog and Fan Foel (The Black Mountain)

Oct-16 • Thomas Grabow • On flickr

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Black Mountain from Glyntawe

A strenuous start then easy route finding along a glacial ridge through wild upland scenery to one of the highest peaks in the Brecon Beacons National Park with spectacular views.

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SDC10836

Corn Du, Pen y Fan. the shortcut path from the col runs left-right

Apr-11 • Andrew Murphy • On picasa

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Brecon Beacons Horseshoe from Neuadd Reservoir

A classic horseshoe walk of the Brecon Beacons (Pen y Fan, Corn Du, Fan y Big) around a glacial valley, with an extension to Waun Rydd

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20160829_113057

Worms Head from Rhossili Down

Aug-16 • Andrew Murphy • On flickr

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Rhossili via Llangennith Circular

A gentle walk, up to then along the downs overlooking a stunning beach with wide ranging sea views, and back along the beach itself.

Time Out Country Walks near London

The club wrote the Time Out Book of Country Walks near London, volume 1 and volume 2. The most recent (2011) editions are now dated, so we recommend the online versions of the walks.

Start Walking in SE England!

Walking is safe and easy, and doesn't need too much expensive equipment. Here's all you need to know!

Swimming in the sea

In the summer, many of the coastal walks are great for swimming - the south coast stretches from Essex, via the Thames and London, via Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire (not forgetting the Isle of Wight) to Dorset

British and Irish hills and mountains

Besides Munros (Scottish hills over 3,000 feet / ~ 1000 metres) and Wainwrights (Lake District hills) are 'Marilyns' and Humps. These are relatively high hills, of which there are many, even in the Southeast.

Maps, photos and videos of 6,000 hills!

South East England Nature and Weather

A monthly almanac of the seasons

Map of Historic Houses, Gardens and Ancient Sites.

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There are 100's of historic site which you can visit. We have a map of all National Trust, English Heritage, and Historic Houses Association properties.

A Walker's History of the Railways

Victorian time to today. Why are there so many rail lines for walkers?

UK Naturist Beaches

Hidden beaches.

Last Updated: May-22