Wye Circular walk
Out over the North Downs with breathtaking views to lunch in Sole Street. Back up over the Downs, then returning along the Great Stour river. Muddy in winter.
History
This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.
Date | Option | Post | # | Weather |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wed, 28-Sep-22 | Wednesday Walk Wye to Chilham - the Crundale Downs, Sole Street, Godmersham Park, Chilham Castle, then tea in Chilham | 9 | ||
Sun, 13-Feb-22 | Sunday Walk - Wye to Chilham via a Museum of Curiosities | 2 | overcast with a stiff westerly breeze | |
Sat, 28-Aug-21 | Saturday walk Wye Circular - the Crundale Downs and Great Stour River - and an oddball pub as a lunch stop option | 10 | some sunny intervals with a cool breeze | |
Sat, 22-Feb-20 | a | Saturday Walk - Change of Plan necessary: The most diverse lunch pub selection - Wye Circular (Long or Normal or Short) | 14 | overcast |
Sat, 16-Feb-19 | Why walk near Wye? | 18 | heavy mist to hazy sunshine and finally a moonlit sky | |
Wed, 17-Oct-18 | Wednesday Walk Wye to Chilham - The Crundale Downs, Sole Street, Godmersham Park and Chilham Castle | 11 | sun then cloud then sun | |
Fri, 27-Jul-18 | Friday Evening [Full Moon] Special Wye Circular | 4 | initially hot clear conditions with cooling breeze on the downs followed by dramatic thunderstorms | |
Sun, 25-Mar-18 | a | Sunday Walk - The North Downs: Wye Circular (Version of...) | 9 | dry and warm |
Wed, 23-Nov-16 | Wednesday Walk - The North Downs: Wye Circular | 14 | dry | |
Sat, 25-Jul-15 | Saturday First Walk | |||
Sat, 11-Apr-15 | Wye Circular | 12 | ||
Wed, 01-Oct-14 | Wye Circular | |||
Sat, 27-Jul-13 | Wye Circular | 7 | ||
Sat, 18-Feb-12 | Wye Circular | |||
Sun, 23-Oct-11 | Wye Circular | |||
Sun, 15-May-11 | Wye Circular | |||
Sat, 10-Jul-10 | Wye Circular | |||
Sun, 13-Sep-09 | Wye Circular | |||
Sat, 05-Jul-08 | Wye Circular | |||
Sat, 10-May-08 | Wye Circular | |||
Sun, 20-Jan-08 | Wye Circular | |||
Sun, 09-Sep-07 | Wye Circular | |||
Sat, 07-Apr-07 | Wye Circular |
-
Wed, 28-Sep-22
9 disembarked at Wye along with about 15 women from a London based French group who also walk every Wednesday. Conditions started sunny, but clouded over as the day progressed and it was chilly at times. After a stiff climb up to Wye Crown millennium stone we regrouped and made our way to the church at Crundale where we had a picnic lunch. We enjoyed a pleasant afternoon stroll over to Chilam, where most of the group caught the 16.12 train back to Ashford, with a couple stopping for a drink at The White Horse.
As always,thanks to Marcus for posting.
Book 1 Walk 53/SWC 138 Wye/Chilham Combo with early start long option or a later start shorter option t=1.53
Distance: 14 miles/22.5 km for the longer route via Bodsham OR 11 Miles/17.7km for the classic combo
Difficulty: 6 out of 10
Train: For the longer route, take the 9:12 AM train from London St. Pancras (9:19 from Stratford International), changing at Ashford (arriving 9:50; departing 10:12) arriving at Wye at 10:18. For those planning to do the shorter version of the walk, you can take the 10:12 AM train from London St. Pancras. It is conceivable that the two groups could meet at/near the Compasses Inn. Return trains from Chilham at 11 minutes past the hour. Buy a day return to Chilham.
This route is a classic combo of two walks, creating a linear route from Wye to Chilham. It comes in a long or a short version. Given it is a Sunday and the intriguing Timber Batts Pub and Forge in Bodsham, a truly quirky experience and definitely worth at least a drinks stop, is open for lunch, the longer route is recommended….
For both routes, you follow the instruction from Book 1 Walk 53 from Wye up onto the dramatic North Downs escarpment with fine views. The shorter route then crosses the downs to the Compasses Inn in Sole Street where you switch to the picturesque afternoon route from SWC 138 to the charming village of Chilham; whereas the extended route diverts from the classic one on the escarpment, continuing along the NDW for a spell before turning off the escarpment towards Bodsham and eventually also passing by the Compasses Inn where you can pick up the afternoon instruction for SWC 138. You can find more information about the walk and download the walk instructions/route here and here.
On the longer route, we will plan to eat at the Timber Batts and admire the interesting collection of curiosities. For those doing the shorter version, the Compasses Inn has been the traditional lunch stop, but it has become rather upmarket in recent years requiring carefully timed bookings and proving difficult for walking groups…so a picnic lunch may be required.
In Chilham, tea and other post walk afternoon refreshments can be had at Shelly’s Tea Room or the White Horse.
Enjoy the walk!
-
Thu, 10-Feb-22
It is with great sadness that I have to report that Shelly's tearoom in Chilham, home of the best cream tea in Kent, closed at the end of December. The owners have emigrated to Massachusetts.
-
Thu, 10-Feb-22
Nooooo!!!!
-
Fri, 11-Feb-22
All is not entirely lost. The business will reopen, under new management and under the name of The Church Mouse Tearoom - on Monday 14th February.
-
Sat, 12-Feb-22
Anyone getting the later train?
-
Sat, 12-Feb-22
I plan to.
-
Mon, 14-Feb-22
Not sure if it was the early start or appalling forecast, but just me, myself and I alighted from the designated train (not sure if anyone came on a later train), making for 1 in breezy and varied conditions . The climb to the escarpment never fails to get the blood flowing and the views from the top were fabulous -- amazingly far and clear not withstanding the high cloud....Likewise the Timber Batts never fails to amaze...surrounded by an intriguing collection of curiosities, lunch was an engaging affair (though not quite the same fine culinary experience as on Saturday's walk). After lunch, the skies actually cleared for a spell across the rolling down land to the Compasses Inn where I peeked in and found no familiar faces....The clouds then returned with some spitting rain and atmospheric wind gusts blowing through the trees...The route carries along the escarpment through some woods, then down across the valley to Godmersham Park where light rain finally set in requiring donning over trousers for just the final 2 miles into Chilham....In Chilham, tea shop fans will be pleased to know that there was plenty of activity in Shelley's -- getting ready for its reopening presumably (much more promising than any of the closed pubs from Saturday which were all quite desolate looking). Plenty of time for a post walk bevie in the White Horse before catching the 17:11 and swiftly home to wrap-up Sunday chores and have a relaxing hot bath to round out the day. A fine day in great company with varied and interesting conversation. Seen along the way: loads of snow drops, some daffs, a large herd of deer and a harris's hawk (resident at the Timber Batts). I have noted some "group cohesion" statistics in some walk reports -- a perfect 10/10 on this one.
-
Mon, 14-Feb-22
Having read @Stargazer's post I was relieved to see that I was not the only walker on Sunday, so2 on a day of overcast with a stiff westerly breeze . I was surprised not to see any other walkers alighting from the 11:18 train at Wye, but at least it had the benefits of cutting down on idle gossip and making the occasional comfort stop much simpler. I agree that the view from the Crown never fails to disappoint, with magnificent far-reaching vistas. On a good day you can see Winchelsea. On a bad day you can see Ashford sewage works. Emerging from Collyerhill Wood I spotted a small group of roe deer at the far edge of the field and then took the long bridle path between freshly-flailed hedgerows to St Mary the Blessed Virgin Church, Crundale. This part of the route is beautiful in spring and summer when the Hawthorn is out, although the absence of foliage did make for better views. Having lunched alone on the bench just outside Sole Street, I popped into the Compasses, but, like Stargazer, saw no familiar faces. Enquiries of the staff revealed that they were not expecting any group bookings. I carried on across the escarpment, a weak sun at one point providing a shadow, my only companion, and down to Godmersham Park, beloved of Jane Austen (I wonder if it is possible to see inside the house?) Passing an abandoned building in woodland, sitting forlornly in a sea of snowdrops, I arrived at Chilham along the curiously-named Mountain Street. (Chilham is 125 feet above sea level.) The White Horse was busy, warm and welcoming and there was time for a pint of Timothy Taylor's Landlord before a short walk to the station, now in drizzle, and the 16:11 train. So, no group cohesion, as it turned out, but an enjoyable walk anyway.
-
Sat, 21-Aug-21
From Nick Ellison 20-08-21
The path at paras 36-38 are impenetrable so I would suggest the following.
36. In 70 metres you come out to a tarmac road where you turn LEFT. In 150 metres or so turn right down a stony earth track and in 60 metres go right over a stile.
37. Head slightly left down a faint grassy path aiming at the hedgerow where you will find an overgrown gap leading down through a metal gate. You may need to persevere to find this gap.
38. Having gone through the gate your way forward is across a field aiming for the left hand side of the industrial shed.
-
Fri, 27-Aug-21
I am up for this. But I might take an earlier train. It'll be the HST.
Austen
-
Fri, 27-Aug-21
I just tried calling the Bodsham pub to book for Saturday but no answer and the message said "we remain temporarily closed". Has anyone else tried? Peggy
-
Fri, 27-Aug-21
Hi Peggy, the website says the pub is "temporarily closed" - but the pub's booking form for lunch remains operational for tomorrow. Perhaps try 'phoning again tomorrow from Wye.
-
Sat, 28-Aug-21
The posting for this walk concludes with the observation that "This walk seldom disappoints". But today was one of the exceptions, at least for our fearless walk poster. He got as far as Ashford to realise that someone had shimmered off with his backpack, last seen resting in the rack above his seat. He felt the understandable need to turn back and go home. Our commiserations on this misfortune.
So it was that the 9 that gathered at Wye station did not include our selfless volunteer. Also there was one of our regulars leading his own independent group which was at least as large again.
Progress was uneventful to Sole Street, where five took a drink at the Compasses Inn, and the rest presumably had sandwiches nearby. The pub wasn't quite full, so it was willing to provide lunch to those without reservations, so long as it was inside, for no more than two people, and in an hour's time at 2:15. We confined ourselves to a drink in the very nice garden, where fancy and expensive umbrellas proved handy during a fleeting rain shower. That aside, weather was
some sunny intervals with a cool breeze . Towards the end of our stay there, an early starter appeared who had done a long version of the walk and joined us for the rest of the day, making a total of 10,
After lunch we heeded the posting of Nick Ellison of 20 Aug which warned of impenetrable passages and found the suggested diversion also impenetrable. Perhaps we didn't follow it accurately. We wound up reverting to the stony earth track he describes and following it for a mile or more until it rejoined the published route.
Four had speedily served beer and tea in the Tickled Trout and took the 1720 train. The others were believed to have managed to get the 1620, at least some of them by taking a shortcut along the road.
-
Sun, 29-Aug-21
To David Colver
I am sorry that you were unable to follow my suggested route. Did you find the small stile on the right? I can understand that you did not find the gate in the hedgerow- the gap is there but is considerably overgrown.
-
Sun, 29-Aug-21
We found a gate in the hedgerow.
The thought that it was the one you suggested
- was reinforced by its position and consistency with your description
- was cast into doubt by it being very well defended by nettles, giving no impression that anyone had been through or over it in a long time, and offering no obvious path beyond it.
These things led us to turn back to the stile and continue on down the track until it converged with the route some distance later.
-
Sun, 29-Aug-21
We did the same as David, as it was just easier to follow the BOAT to its junction with the suggested route. Without Nick's suggestion we would have been stumped, so thanks for that. I have reported the obstruction to KCC's Rights of Way officer.
-
The walk from Southbourne to Chichester on Wednesday 25th August was fabulous.My first walk with SWC but definitely not my last.
Such a lovely and friendly group. Perfect weather, great company.
I loved the non hieraechical feel of the group. Brilliant website. Thanks in particular to Marcus for being so welcoming.
The day was an absolute joy!
Hoping to do the Hitchin Circular on Bank. Holiday Monday.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Length: 22.9 km (14.2 mi) or 17.7 km (11.0 mi)
-
Sat, 22-Feb-20
12 on the platform, 1 met on the bridge over the Stour (off the train an hour earlier up from 7oaks), who had met 1 other SWC regular on his train, who had announced she would walk (some version of) the walk, ie 14 in overcast weather. All of us 13 walked the long version via Hastingleigh and Bodsham, although 1 or 2 took some improvised shortcuts in the pm to make early-ish trains to meet evening obligations. There was a 15 minute period of spittle, which - combined with the at the time (on top of the downs) hard wind - felt like rain but wasn't. Apart from the blustery period along the NDW on top of the downs the wind was not a big factor though. Mud: some unpleasant stretches in the bits of wood that we passed through, but a non-event on the downs and - surprisingly perhaps - neither in the many arable fields crossed. They looked soggy upon approach but proved to be carrying our weight w/o sinking in, and there were no mud agglomerations on boots either.
4 ventured into The Bowl Inn, which deserves any CAMRA accolade it gets in our views: welcoming, great beers, fine selection of snacks, a snug ('Adults Only'), shame it comes a bit early in the walk for a meal. On to the Timber Batts then, where all but the 5 picnickers had a meal (plenty of burgers and assorted other dishes, incl. one gumbo) and just as everyone was ready to move on (the picnickers had long left on account of the coffee machine being broken), one walker announced that he was not going to leave, come hell or high water, for at least another 10 minutes as he was following his football team's travails on the wifi-powered smartphone (loosing at home to their across-town smaller neighbours). That was enough of an excuse for everyone else to get another drink but eventually we moved on. We caught the others half-way through the pm and got to Wye in time for some to catch the 17.20 train. Others went to The Kings Head for a hot drink (mostly hot drinks anyway) and/or a quick pizza.
A fine route, less muddy than feared. Plenty of snowdrops, lots of crocuses, loads of daffodils in various stages of readiness, most beautifully in the churchyard in Wye, where they seem to plant more and more of them every year. Some wild garlic (more a scent than fully grown plants). Lots of beautiful quiet valleys (no roads through them, mostly). One Harris Hawk (in the aviary of the Timber Batts).
Distance: 11 Miles/17.7km for the classic combo or 14 miles/22.5 km for the extended route via Bodsham
Difficulty: 6 out of 10
Train: Take the 9:34 AM train from London St. Pancras (9:40 from Stratford International), changing at Ashford (arriving 10:11; departing 10:35) arriving at Wye at 10:41. Return trains from Chilham at 13 minutes past the hour. Buy a day return to Chilham.
This route is a classic combo of two walks, creating a linear route from Wye to Chilham. For the standard route, you follow the instruction from Book 1 Walk 53 from Wye up onto the dramatic North Downs escarpment with fine views; then across the downs to the Compasses Inn in Sole Street where you switch to the picturesque afternoon route from SWC 138 to the charming village of Chilham.
The extended option via Bodsham requires a map-led route (which will be added to the GPX file on line) that some Sunday walkers explored last year and found very enjoyable. The extended route diverts from the classic one along the escarpment in the morning, continuing along the NDW for a spell before turning off the escarpment and passing by two alternate pubs, the Bowl Inn in Hastingleigh and the Timber Batts Pub and Forge in Bodsham, a truly quirky experience and definitely worth at least a drinks stop…..This route eventually also leads you to the Compasses Inn where you can pick up the afternoon instruction for SWC 138. You can find more information about the walk and download the walk instructions/route here and here.
Traditionally, lunch on this route has been at the Compasses Inn, but it has become rather upmarket in recent years requiring carefully timed bookings and proving difficult for walking groups…So, the extended route provides two additional pubs (referenced above) which serve more basic fare and have a more flexible attitude towards life…..
In Chilham, tea and other post walk afternoon refreshments can be had at Shelly’s Tea Room or the White Horse.
Enjoy the walk!
-
Sun, 17-Feb-19
16 off the appointed train with one early starter and one late starter (having transport problems en route to St. P) made for 18 on this rural delight...To my surprise, all but one (perhaps by accident) opted for the longer map-led route and most seemed to have no problem following the map or a line on a device....The early starter who we met at the pub took notes for the longer route -- so, hopefully, this well-received off-piste option will become official in due course...The Timber Batts did not disappoint -- about half of the group enjoyed lunch surrounded by a myriad of curiosities...and the sandwichers also enjoyed their drinks with a good look around the premises....After lunch some had a brief tour of the neighboring forge before setting across (small) hills and vales to the Compasses Inn and a return to the written word...We lost two to tea at the Compasses (and an alternate mode of transport) and the rest carried on at different speeds in a couple of small groups in the lovely afternoon/evening misty light, arriving in Chilham at dusk under a clearing sky with a bright moon...Post walk bevvies were split by the group between the two pubs -- most caught the 18:13...Of the 5 that lingered, two opted for a moonlight extension along the Stour Valley Walk to Chartham which proved very enjoyable and atmospheric along a clear path at the edge of some woods with good bright moonlight with the others presumably catching the 19:13...In addition to the eclectic collection at the pub, exotic spottings en route included a rhea (large ostrich-like bird) and lamas...slightly less exotic, but in great abundance, were vast displays of snow drops.
Conditions for the day ranging from heavy mist to hazy sunshine and finally a moonlit sky .
-
Tue, 26-Feb-19
Directions for the Hastingleigh-Bodsham- Waltham "loop" now added to the on-line written Directions.
Length: 17.7 km (11 miles)
Toughness: 6 out of 10
Either
London St Pancras: 10-08 hrs Margate service
Arrive Ashford International: 10-46 hrs. Change trains
Leave Ashford International: 11-05 hrs Canterbury West service
Arrive Wye: 11-11 hrs
or - for South Londoners
London Victoria: 09-25 hrs Canterbury West service (as above) Bromley South: 09-42 hrs
Arrive Wye: 11-11 hrs
Return
Chilham to St Pancras: 17-13 (change at Ashford International -AI), 18-13 (AI), 18-44 (AI), 18-46 hrs (change at Canterbury West)
Chilham to Victoria: 16-13, 17-13 and 18-13 hrs
Rail ticket: buy a day return to Chilham
This mix-and-match walk takes - arguably - the best legs of two walks which, when put together, should give you a delightful walk.
The morning leg is the Book 1, Walk 53 - Wye Circular walk, which takes you up onto the Crundale Downs, then down to the Church of St Mary in the village of Crundale, before you head back uphill, steeply, on quiet roads to the village of Sole Street. You might be lucky and manage to obtain lunch at the gourmet lunch pub, the Compasses Inn (01227-700300) but you usually have to book in advance. Best bring a picnic, and have a beer in the pub.
The afternoon leg follows the homeward leg of SWC 138 through woods and valleys - with some stunning views - then through Godmersham Park and on to Chilham, for tea at cosy Shelly's Tea Room. It's then a fifteen minute walk to Chilham railway station for your journey home.
T=1.53
Walk Directions: here for the Book One walk. L=1.53
Here for the afternoon leg of your walk
-
I am hoping to come on this walk, but will drive to Chilham and leave my car there, taking train to Wye, arriving about 8 minutes after the train from Ashford. Is anyone willing to ring me (07973 139358) to confirm I'm coming and persuade the group to dally for a few minutes? In return, I can offer lift for up to 4 from Chilham (best cream tea in Kent) to Wye or Ashford stations. (Chilham only has 1 train an hour.)
-
Sun, 14-Oct-18
If you can resist having a beer in the pub, the best place for your picnic is about 15 minutes into the Chilham afternoon where you come out onto a beautiful downland escarpment with fine views. Another nice spot is at the church three quarters of the way through the morning.
-
Sun, 14-Oct-18
In reply to Jane, I hope to be back walking with SWC mid-week walkers "soon", when my health permits - but not quite yet. I hope you all enjoy what is one of my favourite mix and match walks.
-
Mon, 15-Oct-18
...as it says on this very website in the 'New Members FAQ' section: "Please read The Rambler's advice for taking dogs on a country walk beforehand, paying particular attention to 'sheep' and 'cows'." There is a link there to a pdf.
-
Wed, 17-Oct-18
11 on this lovely outing. It is a pity its poster could not join us: we hope to see him back on the trail soon.
It was grey and drizzly in London, but sunny when we arrived at Wye. There was a line of cloud to the north west but it did not reach us till around 1pm. Even then the sun reappeared as we got to Chilham village. So sun then cloud then sun .
Everyone, I think, was on the high speed train apart from two who came from Tonbridge. Nearly all of us brought picnic lunches, several of us eating by the church late morning. Two ate in the pub, which was decently busy but not booked out. The two lunchers only had starters, however, which were little more than canapés. The rest of us had drinks.
In the afternoon a nice walk along a scenic ridge, then down to Godmersham and along to Chilham. There was a 50/50 split here between pub and tea room, with outside tables being put to good use in both places. The ones outside the tea room, sadly, were by an insignificant lane that turned out to be a regular M1, with one car passing every 30 seconds or so, blowing hot exhaust straight into our nostrils. The scones were huge, however and the cream proper clotted.
5.13 train home, mixing with the workers. Remember work?
Walk details:
Train: 15:12 Margate train from London St. Pancras (Stratford International 15:18) changing at Ashford (arriving 15:50; departing 16:05), arriving Wye 16:11. Return trains are at 21:56 and 22:56 (changing at Ashford). Buy a day return to Wye.
Distance: 12.2 miles/19.7 km
Difficulty: 6.5 out of 10
This new map-led route initially follows the original Book 1 route from Wye to the Memorial Crown and slightly beyond. It then diverts to Bodsham for an early dinner at the unique Timber Batts Inn. After dinner, we will circle back to the North Downs escarpment. Hopefully, with views of the rising moon in its full eclipse state (roughly 21:00-22:00)….You can see the route as the "blue" alternative route on the OS Map tab of Book 1: Walk 53.
Enjoy the walk and happy moongazing!
-
Sun, 22-Jul-18
I hope that means a good view of the eclipse, cloud permitting?
-
Mon, 23-Jul-18
hopefully.....we should be back by the Memorial Crown by about 21:00 with good views South....
-
Thu, 26-Jul-18
You should also get a fine view of the Red Planet, rising in the south-east at nightfall. Its orange colour is unmistakable and shows up even more clearly in binoculars.
-
Mon, 30-Jul-18
Perhaps it was the extreme heat of the day or the forecast evening thunderstorms or just an attack of the "work ethic"....whatever the reason, just 4-free-spirits met at Ashford for the connection to Wye under initially hot clear conditions with cooling breeze on the downs followed by dramatic thunderstorms for the inaugural late afternoon and evening walk. I think most agreed it was a lovely time of day for a country walk. We all enjoyed the Friday night special pizzas al fresco from a pizza oven in the forge and just as we were planning to leave noticed some rather dark clouds with lightening approaching... A good choice was made to see what was to follow....heavy down pour with dramatic thunder and lightening.....so, we opted for another drink inside and spent 45 minutes examining some of the curiosities of the pub more closely...before heading out in what had become light drizzle with the occasional flash of thunder and lightening...Alas, the clouds along the southern horizon proved too thick for any moongazing.....back in Wye we had a night cap before the 22:54 train.....
-
Thu, 22-Mar-18
Extension via Hastingsleigh only adds 3.4 km; Extension via Hastingsleigh and Bodsham adds 5.0 km.
-
Fri, 23-Mar-18
Sure
-
Sun, 25-Mar-18
9 takers for this early start (considering the clocks had gone forward overnight) in dry and warm weather. All walked the 'long' extension via Hastingleigh and Bodsham. And all enjoyed that very much. Plenty of quiet coombes with long views to walk through (i.e. also lots of up and down), a CAMRA-recommended pub in Hastingleigh (cash only), and then an absolute gem, the most quirky pub around, and that by a country mile: The Timber Batts and Forge in Bodsham. You have to see it to believe it. AND the food was tasty (burgers and fish & chips only, Pizzas on Friday evenings). AND the staff was nice. We will be back.
We got back to Wye early enough for one to dash to get the 17.22 train, all else went to the pub for a chill-down drink.
Oh: no mud! I repeat: no mud! Not even in the many arable fields.
But loads of daffs, in lots of places, but in Wye the churchyard was practically all daffodils.
-
Wed, 23-Nov-16
12 walkers off the HS1-train at Ashford, who decided to rather take an imminent (delayed) train than waiting for the posted train from Victoria, getting us to Wye 10 minutes earlier than expected. 1 then waited at Wye for possible walkers off that Victoria train (in vain), while all else sped off.
2 other walkers had indeed tried to catch that Victoria train, but missed, so we learned later. They were therefore an hour behind (and later skipped the lunch pub and the out-and-back to it, so were only caught by the main group a few minutes before Wye).
So 14 in total in dry conditions.
Some of the many field crossings in the last quarter of the walk were a bit soggy after the recent rains, else a very fine walk, with plenty of quiet valleys and splendid views off the Downs.
75 minutes for lunch at the glorious Compasses Inn with its two fireplaces (some had 3 courses...) and a 10 minute delay in the afternoon caused by a very large herd of sheep being herded down the very lane we had to go up (let's just say they were not very co-operative), meant we only got to the Tickled Trout by the station at 16.35, to find it had winter opening hours (shut until 17.00)!
So 5 went back up into the village to the King's Head for a bevvie, which proved to be a very good choice. Do we have/can we concoct a walk that has this pub as a lunch destination?
A bottle of Rioja was purchased at the Co-Op by the SWC-Provisions Manager for the long journey back...
So a new volunteer poster is needed - or volunteers: it is perfectly OK to volunteer for every other week or even one week in four.
Traditionally this slot has been chosen from B ook 1 or Book 2 walks and the feeling is that it would be good to continue this.
The work involves c hoosing a walk - ch oosing a train time and posting it.
The posting team will be very happy to give the new poster/s support
To volunteer email saturdaywalkersATyahooDOTcoDOTuk (or post a comment if you have a question).
Meanwhile here is this weeks walk
Book 1 Walk 53 Wye Circular
18 Km (11.2 miles)
7 out of 10
map available here
https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/book_1/walk_53/map.shtml
Take the 09.22 from Victoria to Wye arriving at 11.09
or
St Pancras at 10.08 (Stratford Int 10.15) with a change at Ashford to also arrive at 11.09
Lunch
at The Compasses in Sole St ( http://www.thecompassescrundale.co.uk/ 01227700300 )
From the comments section
The menu is a mix of fairly gourmet mains at around £14-15, but also with a Ramblers Menu which includes huge doorstep sandwiches, nice soup, sausage and mash. They are very walker-friendly and urged us not to take our muddy boots off.
I just rang and they have tables available for next Saturday for lunch
Tea
at Kings Head or Crown Coffee in Wye
More info and directions here
https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/book_1/walk_53/index.shtml
-
Fri, 24-Jul-15
No, no, no, nothing like that. None of our walks require the use of hands! It just means it has a few hills. Actually I am a bit puzzled why this is a 7 out of 10. It starts on the flat, has a fairly gently graded climb up onto the downs, and then is mainly flat or undulating all morning apart from one steep-ish walk up a road to lunch. After lunch there is some ups and downs and then a descent to a valley and a finish along the bottom of that. I would say it is a very good walk for a beginner.