15 today. The weather was cloudy with patchy sun It tried to rain once or twice but gave up. After the Martyrs monument, some of the younger ones ran gleefully ahead - downhill on the wrong path – ignoring our earnest entreaties to return. They caught us up later, shamefaced and maybe a little wiser. Any hopes that this was a bluebell-free walk were soon dashed. The wood adjoining the golf course was full of them. A display grudgingly described as “quite good”

The stretch after the golf course, that has been described as ‘waterlogged’ and ‘impassable’ in earlier comments, was bone-dry. The nearby stream is almost at path level, though, so maybe not advisable to post this walk after prolonged rain. There are confusing and contradictory path diversion signs over the next stretch (and similarly on the way back). However, other than generating frissons of doubt, these did not affect our route,

In Chalfont St G, some were fed and watered in Merlins Cave. Others sat on the green.

The climb up out of Chalfont could perhaps do with a little more confirmatory detail - perhaps a few house names or something (I can only remember Laurel House).

A regular walker commented that the walk was more than a 3. Which, coincidentally, was about the time we reached Amersham.

Anyone attending this walk? I shall be boarding the train at Harrow on the Hill station and hope to see some of you on the train. Merry Christmas and hope all of you had a great Christmas lunch.

Monica

Intend going will catch tube at Liverpool Street (9:48 Metropolitan Line departure)

Apparently 9:57 departure from Kings Cross/St. Pancras if your suffering from a high BMI (big mincepie intake)

I have a few comments/corrections about today's Amersham circular walk.... 6. Continue along the field edge for another 30m. 9.... after about 30m take a path between houses on the right. 11. bear left across a small green to reach a fenced footpath, which leads down to a residential road. 18. (delete "and across a stile"). 27. Follow the fenced path round two sides of the field to reach a narrow wooden footbridge. One more point.... the "thatched house" mentioned in "19" has changed name, so I suggest the following...just after the last house before the bend to the right, take a fenced-in footpath, indicated by a small footpath sign above a 40 mph speed restriction sign....

Re my comments below, the "thatched house" was mentioned in "21" (not "19"). There were 17 walkers and the weather was mild and cloudy . I did the walk by myself and had sandwiches outside Merlins Cave in Chalfont St Giles. Perhaps someone else can comment on the lunch options?

Apparently Spurs won 5 nill at Wembly. Walkers on the tube back from Amersham got all the details as the train filled up at Wembly station

In response to David below, most of the non sandwichers dined at Merlins Cave, which managed to accommodate all in the group who wished to have lunch. The staff were very friendly and efficient and the food passable (small portions at Chalfont St Doodah prices) but the pub was a welcomed stop on the day - and the draught beer was very good !

Today's choice of walk was perfect for Boxing Day, an ideal length over terrain with mud levels manageable. The turnout was excellent - and probably a SWC record for a Boxing Day walk.

With LT underground travel working well, all seemed to have a thoroughly enjoyable day. And how nice to escape from the family and stretch ones legs in the countryside after Christmas Day indulgences.

" 3 on this walk" LT

are we meeting at Amersham station then ? good to have a meeting point..

There's a Metropolitan Line tube from Baker Street to Amersham at 10:05, arriving at 10:55. I guess that's been recommended because it would allow people to join from a number of intermediate stations in north-west London. If you take the faster Chiltern Railways service from Marylebone at 9:57 (arriving Amersham at 10:32) you might be able to grab a coffee while waiting for the others.

3 damp and dull Light rain in the morning, dry in the afternoon. Alas, this did not apply to the wet mud which was an almost permanent feature of this walk. Three set out from the station, missing the monument but eventually locating the right path. One went on ahead and wasn't seen again. Two had lunch at Merlin's Cave in Chalfont St Giles which was pleasant but a bit pricey. The Crown is now a Costa Coffee and the Feathers is currently closed for renovation. After navigating even muddier fields with large puddles in places, two enjoyed tea, teacakes and scones in Amersham before the final climb back to the station.