St Luke's Walking Club

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.

The dates for Spring are shown below, and more 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.

The Annual Walk

January 2025

Wednesday 1 January
General Area: Rickmansworth Aquadrome and Batchworth circular. Miles: about 4.5 easy.
Leader: Peter Polkinghorne
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.
Peter's report: Despite the grim weather forecast and wind warnings, 15 of us set off on the walk. Initially the rain held off, but was torrential by the time we reached the outskirts of Harefield. We did take a couple of short cuts to reduce the distance to around 4 miles. Despite the rain, there was not too much mud. We saw plenty of geese but hardly any other walkers or even cars. At the end we split into those who went home, the cafe or the White Bear. All in all, it was great to walk together again and blow away the cobwebs. Hope to see you on future walks,satrting at the end of January, twice a week.

Sunday 26 January
General Area: Chalfont & Latimer, Botley, Ley Hill & Flaunden Miles: 10.5 moderate
Meeting time: 10:00 Meeting place: Chalfont & Latimer station, exit from the southbound platform
Leader: John Harper Leader's phone: 07947 894930
Travel: Metropolitan Line 09:21 from Harrow-on-the-Hill arrives at 9:52. Car parking available in station car park
Nature of walk: We descend through the woods to meet the river Chess and climb up to Latimer House. From there we take Chess Valley Way to the edge of Chesham. We climb up through Chesham Waterside before heading on to Botley and a lunch stop at Ley Hill (possible pub stop) by the cricket ground. After lunch, it's on to Flaunden (another climb) before making our way to Latimer and returning to the station via the woods. In general, not a hilly walk, but there are a couple of good climbs. Will be muddy if the temperature warms up!!

Tuesday 28 January
General Area: Circular walk from Great Missenden. Miles: 4.5 easy
Meeting time: 10:20 Meeting place: Outside Great Missenden Station.
Leader: Sara Reeves Leader's phone: 07706 518191
Travel: from Harrow on the Hill Station take the 09.39 Chiltern Line train arriving Great Missenden at 10.10. Oyster 60+ & Freedom Pass holders purchase return extension ticket from Amersham.
Nature of walk: A gentle walk to the south of Great Missenden away from HS2. There are a couple of inclines but we will enjoy woodland trails, field paths, views, a country village, parkland and mud so please bring sticks. Bring food for a snack/lunch stop at Great Missenden church after 4 miles.

February 2025

Saturday 1 February
General Area: An Elizabeth Line walk from Smithfield Market in the City to the East End, taking in two cathedrals and St Katherine’s Dock Miles: 5 moderate
Meeting time: 10:30 Meeting place: Farringdon Station by Petit Pret outside the Underground exit
Leader: Deborah Tyler Leader's phone: 07961 382524
Travel: Metropolitan Line trains from Harrow-on-the -Hill to Farringdon, frequent direct trains (destination Aldgate) take 35 minutes or change at Baker Street
Nature of walk: repeating a previous walk of about 5 miles on paved surfaces crossing the Thames to the South Bank at Tate Modern and along to Tower Bridge and the quayside path to Tobacco Dock and ending at Whitechapel via Cable Street.

Friday 7 February
General Area: Chalfont & Latimer to Watford (linear) Miles: 8.5 moderate
Meeting time: 10:30 Meeting place: Chalfont & Latimer Station
Leader: Sue Aldridge Leader's phone: 07713 025494 on day only.
Travel: Depart Harrow on Hill 10.09 Chiltern train. Arrive Chalfont & Latimer 10.28
Nature of walk: Walk along upper slopes of Chess Valley via Chenies to descend along valley and rise up to Church End Sarratt. Picnic by church with time for drinks/toilets in ‘The Cock Inn’ pub. Continue across field tracks, over M25, passing Micklefield Hall and Redheath. Cross golf course into Cassiobury Park (possibly tea/toilet stop) finishing at Watford Met Station.

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
General Area: Hampstead Heath and Kenwood Miles: 5 moderate
Meeting time: 10:30 Meeting place: Finchley Road. In the entrance to the station.
Leader: Michael Romain Leader's phone: 0781-800-0849
Travel: take the 10:09 southbound from Harrow on the Hill.
Nature of walk: through suburban roads to the heath including passing the Freud Museum. Walking through West Heath across East Heath and Kenwood and then across Parliament Hill to Hampstead Heath station where there are regular trains to West Hampstead overground where it is a short walk to Jubilee line. We will see the best parts of the Heath this is a special London walk. There are plenty of facilities, but I suggest you bring a packed lunch.

Saturday 15 February
General Area: Tring Circular Miles: 7.5 easy
Meeting time: 10:35 Meeting place: Tring station, front entrance
Leader: Janet Clow and Martin Atkins Leaders' phone: 07982 208846 (Janet) and 07941 542551(Martin).
Travel: Take the 10.06 train from Harrow and Wealdstone, arriving at Tring at 10.32. (Cashless station car park operated by Saba Parking UK.)
Nature of walk: We follow a short section of the Grand Union Canal, which is likely to be muddy, and then undulating field and woodland paths and tracks to Hastoe. The return route is via Tring Park. Please bring lunch; we aim to have an early lunch stop near Wigginton Village Shop and Café, where hot drinks are available.

Thursday 27 February - Patsy Scanlan & Chris Hughes - Westminster to Putney Bridge

March 2025

April 2025

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.

May 2025

Friday 2 May - Sue Aldrige - Circular from Tring to Ivinghoe Beacon return through Bluebell Beechwoods 12 - 13 miles.

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)

General points

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.

St Luke's Hospice

St Luke's Walking Club - walks in 2024