St Luke's Hospice
St Luke's Walking Club - walks in 2024
The St Luke’s Walking Club members are supporters of St Luke’s Hospice (Harrow and Brent) who walk for fun, fitness and to fundraise for the Hospice.
After most of our Autumn Walks, proposed dates for Spring are shown below, and details will be added as they become available. The scheme is (mostly) that on any weekday (Monday through to Friday) there will be one walk and alternately Saturday or Sunday another walk, that is two walks a week.
Click here for the next walk
The Annual Walk
The 2025 annual sponsored walk will be in the Peak District from 23rd to 26th May 2025. For details see the Annual Sponsored Walk 2025 and the presentation from the information evening as a PDF.
Last year's walk details can be seen the Annual Sponsored Walk 2024, some photos from the big walk, Annual Walk Photos and read a Blog Article about the walk.
Hugo Hodge - in memoriam
We are very sad to record the death of our dear friend and fellow walker, Hugo Hodge, following a stroke.
Hugo had taken part in our long-distance annual walks for many years and served on the organising committee for much of that time.
In recent years he ran our Walking Club and led countless enjoyable training and social walks himself.
Cutting a dash with his unique dress style, he was equally at home striding out in the Chilterns or leading fascinating tours of the City of London.
He coped with delayed trains, mud, curious cattle, path diversions and late finishes with good humour and was always willing to put himself out to help other walkers.
We will remember him with the greatest affection.
September 2024
Saturday 14 September
General Area: Crouch Valley, Essex Miles: 9 easy
Leader: Hugo Hodge
Nature of walk: This is a walk over the flatlands of Essex, through a bird reserve and along the sea wall of the tidal river Crouch all the way to Burnham on Crouch where tea will be available at Corner Cottage. There is a cafe at North Fambridge yacht harbour near the start as an option for morning coffee and facilities.
For lunch, bring your own.
Hugo's report: Seven of us met at North Fambridge Station in the remote Essex marshes on a glorious sunny day. All we had to do was follow the sea wall with the ebbing tide all the way to Burnham on Crouch. Even I could not get lost! The views were wonderful, lunch was in a shady wood out of the sun and tea was at Corner Cottage before most of the party caught the train back to London from Burnham on Crouch.
Wednesday 18 September - walk cancelled
Sunday 29 September
Cancelled due to risk of flooding
General Area: Henley and Hambledon Miles: 7 moderate
Meeting time: 11:00 Meeting place: Henley upon Thames railway station.
Leader: Michael Romain Leader's phone: 07818 000849
Travel: I have chosen this walk because you may want to come by private transport. There is a train from Paddington at 10:07. This arrives at Henley at 10:57. (Unfortunately, the underground links on that day are not great as there are disruptions. ) On a Sunday it is not difficult to park on the outskirts of Henley and walk to the station. I will be coming by car.
Nature of walk: we will cross the bridge and walk downstream on the south bank. This is a beautiful stretch of River. At Hambledon Lock, we walk to the beautiful little village of Hambledon. we return to Henley on the other bank of the river.
There is a pub in Hambledon but I will be bringing sandwiches.
October 2024
Tuesday 1 October
General Area: Chesham circular to Ashley Green, Farms, Forts and Fighters. Miles: 9 miles moderate
Leader: Peter Polkinghorne
Nature of walk: Another walk from Chesham Council, this time to the north, through Ashley Green, past Bovingdon Airfield and back to Chesham. A little road walking and an early lunch stop at Ashley Green, where plentiful seats and a pub.For full details see: Ashley Green: Farms, Forts and Fighters walk
Peter's report: Three brave souls joined me on what turned out to be a very wet walk, particularly in the afternoon. However, once we were out of Chesham heading north for Ashley Green, the scenery was pleasing and the woods sheltering. Due to our high pace, we decided to have lunch at Whelpley Hill in a bus shelter, instead of Ashley Green. After passing a possibly neolithic fort, we headed across fields back to Chesham in time for the 3 o'clock train. A walk I will repeat, but hopefully in better weather.
Saturday 5 October
General Area: Burnham Beeches Miles: 10 moderate
Leader: John Harper
Nature of walk: This is a fairly flat walk. The walk takes us through the
popular nature reserve of Burnham Beeches before taking some lesser
known paths through Egypt Wood. We then head to the pretty village of
Hedgerley (winner of best kept village on many occasions). Next we go on
to Fulmer for lunch - please bring sandwiches. There is also a pub at
Fulmer for anyone who wants a drink and a loo stop. We then return via via
Stoke Common (an SSSI) and Farnham Common.
John's report: What a day!! It was a bit chilly when 8 of us met and set off over the boardwalk and into the Beeches. We soon came across a small herd of white cows roaming free - I hadn't seen them in this part of the woods before. The day warmed up and the layers came off as we carried on along the permissive path through Egypt Wood. We pressed on passed the delightfully named Casualty Cottages and eventually reached the pretty village of Hedgerly where we paused to view the post which showed the years in which Hedgerly had won the Best Kept Village of Buckinghamshire award. There were some missing years, but these were largely accounted for when we reached the lunch stop at Fulmer where their display filled in most of the missing years. After a quick drink in the pub, we pressed on, but not before one of our number spotted the gold pillar box - this one in honour of Sophie Christiansen, equestrian paralympic gold medalist. Next came the SSSI of Stoke Common where the photo was taken. We continued through Farnham Common and back to Burnham Beeches. A great walk with surprisingly little mud.
Saturday 12 October
General Area: Chipperfield, Penman’s Green, Bovingdon and Apsley Miles: 12 moderate
Leader: Hansa Jadva-Patel
Nature of walk: This is a pleasant walk through varied terrain of woodlands, countryside, and canal. Starting from Chipperfield Common car park, we head towards Penman’s Green then through Woodman's Wood towards Bovingdon along the Hertfordshire Way. We then head towards Sheethanger and Roughdown Common to join the canal to Apsley (for lunch). We return via Scatterdells Wood. Please bring picnic lunch.
Hansa's report: Being a relatively FLAT walk, four walkers headed briskly towards Bovingdon via Penman Green and Woodman’s wood. Just as we approached Bovingdon, it started raining so St. Lawrence Church was a much appreciated shelter for our morning break. The planned route then continued through the open fields using the Chiltern way in the rain. However, I suggested an alternative route, offering some cover via the woodland paths using the Hertfordshire way. Needless to say, the alternative path option won unanimously! Few minutes into our walk after leaving the church, one walker realised that they had left their phone at the church so Glen very kindly offered to run and rescue the phone. We spotted a couple of bears peeking through Bury Wood (photo 1)! My walk leadership knowledge does not extend to dealing with a bear attack but luckily it was not tested! Joining the canal at Boxmoor, we were greeted by a heard of Belted Galloway and a large heron. St. Mary’s church in Apsley, offered some shelter from the rain for us to have our lunch. As we were walking up the slope to the church, we saw an elderly gentleman pushing a very heavy wheelbarrow full of gravel. Glen, our Samaritan of the day, once again came to the gentleman’s rescue. After lunch, we continued along a golf course to Shendish Manor and through Scatterdale woods to emerge into wonderful sunshine but by then, we were already in Chipperfield! Despite some rain, an enjoyable walk with quality company, although questioning my walk description and threats of bringing a spirit level on walks was totally unnecessary!
Monday 14 October - walk cancelled
Sunday 27 October
General Area: Saunderton via West Wycombe Circular Miles: 10 moderate with hills
Leader: Glenn Connolly
Nature of walk: A lovely walk over the Chiltern hills and woodlands leaving Saunderton heading towards Bradenham and onto Hughenden Manor for a lunch stop, toilets can be found here as well as a tea room. Then continuing towards West Wycombe (Hell Fire Caves) and returning along the ridge to Saunderton. Please bring lunch although we will hopefully stop at a pub later in the day.
Glenn's report: It was a perfect day for walking as seven of us gathered in Saunderton. We noticed another group of walkers were also gathering and although we tried twice to recruit a couple of them they left with a smile and went about their way. After a little chat amongst ourselves we started to make our way towards Naphill Common via Bradenham Manor. Now Naphill Common is a quirky little place, no matter how many times i walk through there a different path seems to appear in front of my very eyes. Pleasantly surprised by the condition of the paths and with the lovely glow of crimson throughout we made it through with ease and then headed towards Hughenden Manor, taking in the lovely views along the way. We arrived at the Manor and had a lengthy lunch in the Orchard. There was no rush today,
a day to enjoy, to talk, to smile and reminisce. After lunch we headed to West Wycombe where we decided a pub stop was a good idea. As we sat and sipped our drink of choice we couldn't help but notice bowls and bowls of freshly fried chips arriving at tables around us. As we continued to share stories a very kind gentlemen decided to share his chips with us, how could we say No! We did let him keep his pint though. Refueled for a second time we set off upwards again and onto the ridge and then back to Saunderton in good time to complete a lovely day with wonderful company.
Today the sun shone brightly on seven walkers and as our perfectly formed shadows followed us throughout the day, I'm sure at times I seen an eighth one and may you always be with us Hugo...... our dear friend. Love.
Thursday 31 October
General Area: Amersham to Great Missenden Miles: 7.5 moderate
Leader: Michael Romain
Travel: From Harrow on the Hill station, take the 9:55 Metropolitan line or 10:09 Chiltern line to Amersham.
Nature of walk: Through the woods to Amersham old town , Little Missenden and Little Boys Heath. there is a pub for lunch but I will be bringing sandwiches. We return on the Chiltern line. it is a very pleasant Chiltern walk.
Michael's report: I was a little apprehensive before my first walk after the death of my dear friend. I need not have been. There were 14 of us assembled at Amersham station .11 of us knew Hugo well and they knew that Hugo and I went back a very long way and we had some deep hugs. I was deeply moved.
And the walk? The Chilterns at their very best on the most glorious of days. The view over old Amersham stopped me in my tracks. We had to stop where they had a wall of poppies for Remembrance Sunday for the team photo.
The walk is gentle with plenty of time to talk and reminisce.
There is a time to take stock of what a beautiful countryside is around us. We are so fortunate to be able to walk across it.
Thank you all for coming.
A day of memories shared.
November 2024
Saturday 9 November
General Area: Capital Ring from Harrow-on-the-Hill to Wembley Park Miles: 6-7 miles moderate
Leader: Janet Clow
Nature of walk: An easy walk through parks and suburban streets. We start with a climb up Harrow Hill to St Mary’s Church, then follow the Capital Ring via Northwick Park to Barn Hill, where we hope to enjoy the trees in their autumn glory before descending to Wembley Park station. Opportunities to leave early at Northwick Park or Preston Road. All stations are on the Metropolitan Line. We expect to finish by lunch time.
Janet's report: Fifteen walkers, plus dogs Tess and Shelley, met for what turned out to be a walk of about five-and-a-half miles. We were delighted that two of our new walkers were among them, one dipping a toe in the water and the other having already taken the plunge and registered for next year’s Peak Way walk. We ascended Harrow Hill and paused by St Mary’s, with spire currently shrouded in scaffolding; there we contemplated the changes to the view which Lord Byron might have enjoyed over two hundred years ago, and posed for a group photo. Our onward route took us via Harrow School’s extensive playing fields and Northwick Park, through residential streets to Preston Park. We had a short snack break, while Shelley threw herself wholeheartedly into a squirrel break, not content until she had chased every last fluffy-tailed rodent up the nearest available tree. A few more streets took us to Barn Hill, a lovely oasis of green, only a short distance from Wembley Stadium. We made short work of the final ascent via field and woodland to the pond and trig point at the summit, from which there is a good view of the stadium, surrounded by an ever-growing cluster of tower blocks. With no-one seeming to be in any hurry to part company, we strolled down to Wembley Park station before going our separate ways.
Friday 15 November
General Area: Wendover to Wendover Woods Circular Miles: 9 moderate - approx ascent 900ft
Leader: Sue Aldridge
Nature of walk: A varied walk seeing the lovely autumnal colours of the Wendover Wood Beechwoods. We start on the Ridgeway and have 2 steady, long ascents with a dip across a side valley in between. We pass an iron age hill fort, reaching the highest point in the Chilterns. Later on, we see beautiful views across the Aylesbury Vale, pass through a peaceful remembrance churchyard at Halton, with it’s many well kept RAF memorial graves (WW2) and concludes along the tranquil Wendover Arm of the GU Canal. Tracks/Paths are mostly well defined, of a good standard, with one rather steep, narrow and uneven descent (walk poles useful here). Maybe a little muddy in places after wet weather.
Bring picnic lunch but there’ll be time to use the cafe for drinks/light snacks/toilets on the highest part of Wendover Woods at lunchtime. Estimated Finish - 3:45pm.
Sue's report: What a fine autumn day for walking in the Chiltern beech woods! Many of us met on the Chiltern line platform at Harrow and two more joined us at Wendover, so we started with 15 walkers, plus Tess, the dog. We were pleased to have 2 new walkers in the group. We started along The Ridgeway heading upwards onto the wooded escarpment, contouring round on a good track, carpeted with colourful leaves, providing us with such a picturesque trek with their many autumn tints. (see 1st Photo). After descending across The Hale valley we climbed into the heart of Wendover Woods skirting an ironage fort to a long, flat top, passing an empty ‘Go Ape’ play area to the spacious cafe for a well earned lunch break. Here we were surprised to meet 2 more walkers who had taken a more direct route up due to being delayed earlier, bringing our numbers up to 17.
After lunch I took the group to the Chiltern Hills Summit Cairn .. a few large stone boulders marking the highest point in the Chilterns at 267m (876ft.) erected by the Chiltern Society in 1977 (see 2nd Photo). It was unusual to be partly hidden under tree cover with no direct viewpoint. Here we took a moment to remember our dear departed friend Hugo who had loved walking the Chiltern hills, after having first walked The Ridgeway in 1977.
We then followed a leafy covered track downhill, soon to pass through the grounds of RAF Halton and paused quietly in Halton church graveyard viewing so many graves in memory of young people who had served in the airforce. Our last couple of miles took us along the tranquil waters of the Wendover Arm of GU Canal viewing interesting bird life. We all enjoyed the autumn scenery with friendly company and arrived back in good time for the 3.24 train.
Saturday 23 November
General Area: Pinner, Ickenham & North Harrow, in 2 parts. Miles: Part 1: 6 miles Part 2: 5 miles, both easy
Leader: Peter Polkinghorne
Nature of walk: A fairly green and easy suburban walk in 2 parts.1. Pinner to Ickenham via Hillingdon Trail and Celandine Route 2. Willow Tree Wander (Ickenham to North Harrow) . Lunch at Ickenham where there are: village pond with seating or churchyard with benches and pub & shops nearby. One or two parts can be done. Be at Ickenham by 12:45 to take part in second part.
Peter's report: Due to the threat of Storm Bert, there were only 3 of us at the start. However, we were lucky and we did not get too much rain despite the wind. In particular, I am grateful to our new walker, Chandra, who encouraged us to do the whole walk, rather than give up at Ickenham. We followed the Celandine Route from Pinner to Ickenham, including the HS2 diversion. Then we used the Hillingdon Trail from Ickenham to the Marshes to join the Willow Tree Wander to return back to North Harrow. We enjoyed the green spaces with the Pinn River and Yeading Brook alongside us. Hope to see more of you next year!
Wednesday 27 November - walk cancelled
January 2025
Wednesday 1 January
General Area: Rickmansworth Aquadrome and Batchworth circular. Miles: about 4.5 easy.
Meeting time: 10:45 as there is a Parkrun at 9:00. Meeting place: Outside café in Aquadrome.
Leader: Peter Polkinghorne Leader's phone: 07793378483
Travel: from Harrow on the Hill Station take the northbound Chiltern Line train at 10.09 to Rickmansworth arriving at 10.19, or take the northbound Metline train to Rickmansworth at 09.51
arriving at 10.12
Nature of walk: as with last year, year we have changed the route to avoid the very muddy and flooded paths experienced in the last few years. As before we walk along Bury Lake towards Stockers Lake, but just before we get there we take a footpath to the left and a bridge over the canal and then past Stockers Farm through woods and fields to Hill End and back to the café via Juniper Hill, Batchworth Park Golf Course and Tesco. Here is a map of the walk.
Sunday 26 January
Tuesday 28 January
February 2025
Saturday 1 February
Friday 7 February - Sue Aldridge - Chalfont & Latimer to Watford (linear) - 8 miles
Sunday 9 February
General Area: Chesham to Rickmansworth. Miles: 10 moderate
Meeting time: 10:30 Meeting place: Chesham Station
Leader: Tony Prothero Leader's phone: 07715 948235.
Travel: from Harrow on the Hill Station take the northbound Metline train to Chesham at 09.40
arriving at 10.17 (times to be confirmed).
Nature of walk: the walk follows the route of the River Chess between Chesham and
Rickmansworth. Bring your own provisions as there are no pubs without making a detour.
Wednesday 12 February
Saturday 15 February
Monday 17 February
Sunday 23 February
Thursday 27 February
March 2025
Saturday 1 March
Tuesday 4 March
Sunday 9 March
Thursday 13 March
Saturday 15 March
Monday 17 March
Sunday 23 March
Wednesday 26 March
Saturday 29 March
April 2025
Friday 4 April
Sunday 6 April
General Area: Hampden Climber. Miles: 13 challenging.
Meeting time: 10:30 Meeting place: Princes Risborough Station.
Leader: Tony Prothero. Leader's phone: 07715 948235.
Travel: from Harrow on the Hill Station take the 09.05 Chiltern Line train to London Marylebone
Station arriving at 09.19. Change onto the 09.42 Chiltern Line train destination Oxford arriving at
Princes Risborough Station at 10.26. (times to be confirmed)
Nature of walk: A scenic walk over Whiteleaf Hill and along the Ridgeway to Coombe Hill and
returning via Little Hampden and Great Hampden with a pub stop at Great Hampden.
Tuesday 8 April
Saturday 12 April - Hansa Jadva-Patel
Monday 14 April
Sunday 20 April (Easter Sunday)
Thursday 24 April
Saturday 26 April
May 2025
Friday 2 May
Sunday 4 May
Wednesday 7 May
Saturday 10 May - Hansa Jadva-Patel
Tuesday 13 May
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We hope our walk leaders will be ready. Please send the usual information to Peter (pjmpolkinghorne@gmail.com).
"The usual information" should include:
The general area and whether or not circular
How many miles, easy or moderate, etc
When and where to meet
Walk leader's name and phone number
Suggested travel
A few words about the route.
And be prepared to send a brief report and photo afterwards.(to pjmpolkinghorne@gmail.com)
- If the weather is seriously bad, the leader may decide to cancel. Contact him/her by phone. Some leaders may only use their mobiles on the day. If he/she is unable to lead the walk due to illness, etc., we will try to make alternative arrangements, but this may not be feasible. So it is generally advisable to contact the leader the previous day. Given reasonable notice, alternative arrangements will be posted here.
- The spring training walks are arranged primarily for the benefit of those who are intending to support St Luke's Hospice by taking part in the next sponsored walk. Other walkers are very welcome on payment of a £3 donation to Hospice funds, which will be collected by the walk leader.
- The leader will aim to set a pace appropriate to the day's intended mileage and hours of daylight. If you want to go off ahead and find the route yourself that will be up to you.
- Particularly at weekends when the numbers walking can be quite large, we will try to arrange for a "sweeper" who knows the route, as well as a leader, so that people at the back of the group don't feel abandoned.
- If you find that you cannot maintain the necessary pace, the leader may suggest that you drop out at some point where you can pick up transport. Please cooperate.
- Most, but not all, of these walks are circular, returning to the start point.
- Please aim to arrive on time - the leaders will only wait for 5 minutes after the scheduled start.
- Do check whether train services will be affected by maintenance work. We planned this programme aiming to use services that were not shown as being disrupted in the Transport for London 6-month look ahead, but things can change. Any significant effects will be shown in this website when, and if, we become aware of them.
- On London Midland (e.g. Harrow and Wealdstone to Tring) and Chiltern (e.g. Harrow-on-the-Hill to Amersham, Wendover or High Wycombe) train services, GroupSave fares are usually available. This offers 3 or 4 tickets for people travelling together, both ways, for the price of 2.
- If you can offer, or would like to have, car transport, please contact the leader in good time before the day.
- Car drivers, please note that Chiltern Railways car parks are for train passengers only.
- Preferably bring your own lunch, or you may be able to get a quick lunch at a pub or cafe. On the training walks, don't keep other walkers waiting by ordering something that has to be prepared specially.
- Walking boots are recommended for all the walks. Mud, nettles,
brambles, snow, wind and rain all add to the enjoyment if you're prepared!
- Remember the Pub Code : Leave muddy boots outside; or put plastic bags over them. Buy a drink if you go to use the loo. Don’t eat own food on the premises or in the garden (unless cleared with the pub first). Don’t leave litter.
- Ticks are very ready to jump from vegetation onto any exposed skin on a human or a dog, whenever the temperature is above freezing. It's vital to remove them completely as soon as possible, to avoid the serious condition of Lyme disease. Brushing off or pulling with tweezers can leave the creature's head in place. A gadget known as "Tick Twister", used properly, is an effective way of removing it completely. They are £3 or £4 from pharmacies or Amazon.
Last updated 8 December 2024
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