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.
Now the Annual Sponsored Walk in May is over and we are nearly finished with the Summer programme. The proposed dates for the Autumn are shown below, and details will be added as they become available. The scheme is (mostly) that we alternate by week with a walk on a weekday (Monday through to Friday) and then on Saturday or Sunday another walk, that is one walk a week.
Click here for the next walk
June 2024
However in the interim you might like to see some photos from the big walk, Annual Walk Photos and read a Blog Article about the walk.
Sunday 23 June
General Area: Tonbridge and Tudeley. Miles: 6 moderate
Leader: Michael Romain
Nature of walk: this is a circular walk from Tonbridge via Tudeley through lovely countryside. The main purpose of the walk is to visit the beautiful church at Tudeley. All the windows are stained glass decorated by Marc Chagall. Michael has organised this walk previously for the Liberal Jewish Synagogue and we were invited to join them last year and are again this year. There will be a charge of £8 each to cover entry into the church and a contribution to the excellent guide. Any surplus made from St.Luke’s walkers payments will be donated to St. Luke’s Hospice as happened last year. Michael will accept payment on the day, but would prefer payment by bank transfer.
Bring a packed lunch which can be eaten in the churchyard before meeting the guide at about 14.00.
Michael's report: This is the second year that St Lukes walkers have taken part in what one of our group has now called the "Windows Walk." There were about 19 of us who set off from London Bridge to Tonbridge.
The walk was in beautiful weather. The highlight of course was the visit to the church to see the beautiful stained glass windows by Marc Chagall .We listened to a lively talk by a very enthusiastic guide. After that, the group explored the church. We returned on a different route to Tonbridge station. I think we returned tired but happy. I hope to repeat the walk next year. Watch this space.
July 2024
Monday 1 July
General Area: Green Park and Hyde Park. Miles: 5 moderate
Leader: Michael Romain
Nature of walk:
The walk will go firstly around Green Park and then enter Hyde Park and continue right across to Kensington Gardens and then back terminating at Marble Arch.
There will be plenty of toilet facilities .
There will be an opportunity to break off at any stage.
Michael's report: here is so much to see in a well-maintained London Park. We started off walking down from Green Park Station to Buckingham Palace just in time to see the changing of the Guards.That was exciting! We then turned up into Hyde Park and went through the beautifully maintained Rose Garden . In Kensington Gardens we were able to enter the Princess Diana Garden and we made our way back to the Marble Arch exit. We are so fortunate with our London parks. In two weeks time we are going to explore two other London parks, Regents Park and Primrose Hill. The large pumpkin in the picture is part of the Serpentine gallery and is situated between the said gallery and the round pond. Full access will be available in a weeks time.
Saturday 6 July
General Area: Cadmore End Miles: 7.5 moderate
Leader: Janet Clow and Martin Atkins
Nature of walk: A shorter version of a well-loved walk in beautiful Chiltern countryside, taken at an unhurried pace and avoiding some of the hills. The route takes field and woodland paths to the church at Ibstone, then on to Turville for lunch, with an opportunity for a drink at the pub. We continue to Fingest by a direct route, then climb back up to Cadmore End. Please bring a packed lunch.
Martin's report: Here we were then; two days after the general election and about to embark upon the third of the Summer Walks. Seven of us gathered at Cadmore End car park ready to embark upon a 7 mile challenge when we were suddenly joined by a lone gentleman who looked rather familiar. He introduced himself as Richkid Soonknackered [or something like that]. At this point the weather suddenly deteriorated and rain began to fall. We were slightly concerned about the wet conditions making the ground slippery and Richkid seemed particularly worried about the concept of 'land' and 'slide'. We decided to wager on when the weather would clear, but again Richkid seemed unsettled by our references to 'bet' and 'sky'. We assured him that there was no need to fret as we were all Walk Veterans, at which point he decided to leave the walk early! Enough! We had to call for the air ambulance. As the paramedics loaded Richkid on board, we could hear him begging them not to fly him to Rwanda. Once Richkid had departed, the whole day seemed to become brighter. We finished the Walk and then spent the late afternoon celebrating with coffee in the local cafe.
Okay....what really happened was we had to abandon the Walk before starting, due to heavy rain, so we drove to Lane End and had breakfast in the cafe there. At least that part of my report is true! Martin
Tuesday 16 July
General Area: Regents Park and Primrose Hill Miles: 5.5 moderate
Leader: Michael Romain
Nature of walk:
This walk will firstly enter Primrose Hill and go round the perimeter. We will then summit the hill and then into Regents Park. In Regents Park, we will visit the Rose Garden and go round the lake finishing up back at St John’s Wood station. There are plenty of toilet facilities. There will be an opportunity to break off at any stage.
Michael's report: This picture was taken in Queen Mary's Rose Garden in the centre of Regents Park. The weather was fine. Five of us together with a friend of mine from Liverpool had a very pleasant walk in central London. yes, it is possible. We started in Primrose Hill. We climbed to the top and paused to look over the centre of London . We descended and entered Regents Park. I think the highlight was Queen Mary's Rose Garden, where this photograph was taken. It it was a lovely morning.
Sunday 21 July - walk cancelled
Wednesday 31 July
General Area: Amersham, Little Missenden and Shardeloes Circular. Miles: 9 moderate
Leader: Hugo Hodge
Nature of walk: from the Station we will descend to the Old Town and turn right on the High Street towards Little Missenden. After leaving the town we will enter the cricket club and cross the fields below Shardeloes House to Little Missenden where we will double back by climbing up the hill behind Shardeloes and descending through the woods and its fields to Old Amersham before climbing the last hill to the Station. Bring a packed lunch. There might also be an opportunity for a drink in one of the pubs in Old Amersham.
Hugo's report: Six of us attempted to meet at Amersham at 10.30 but the Metline had other ideas because of a broken down train at Liverpool Street and a points failure on the Chesham branch. We were all badly affected but I was the last to arrive, finding the others enjoying a coffee in Old Amersham at close to 1 pm.
Their enthusiasm was not dampened and we relished the shaded parts of the walk back from Little Missenden across the Shardeloes estate.
One person in the photo will be unfamiliar. It is Robert who was hoping to join the Ramblers walk led by our own John Harper, but the Ramblers charged off without him. He was lucky to join us!
August 2024
Saturday 3 August
General Area: Chesham to Chorleywood Miles: 8.5 moderate
Leader: Peter Polkinghorne
Nature of walk: This walk goes from Chesham to Chorleywood via Flaunden, where there will a lunch stop in the churchyard with the Green Dragon nearby, then via Chenies. For full details see: Chorleywood to Chesham walk but we will walk the route in reverse.
Peter's report: 8 of us gathered at Chesham Station to walk to Chorleywood via Flaunden, where we had lunch. The weather was ideal with a cooling breeze. In Chesham, we met a giant hamster trike, collecting for prostate cancer. Despite recent thunderstorms, we encountered no mud and the Chess was well behaved when we crossed it, although we met a party of walkers diverted by flooding further down the valley. Thanks to all who came and it is a walk, I will repeat.
Thursday 15 August
General Area: Bushey to Pinner Miles: 7+ moderate
Leader: Hugo Hodge
Nature of walk: a largely rural walk crossing fields, woods and a golf course to Harrow Weald Common before descending across fields to Hatch End and Headstone Lane. Finally walking across Pinner Park farm’s fields to Pinner. Bring your own packed lunch.
Hugo's report: Seven of us met at Bushey Station in ideal walking weather, bright and breezy. We went over Merry Hill and the extensive Woodland Trust reserve to meet the London Loop at Mutton Wood by Carpenders Park. Luckily it was only a week since I last walked the route so we only got lost a few times following the numerous paths through the reserve. The London Loop took us across Grimsdyke Golf Course and through the grounds of Grims Dyke Hotel to Old Redding where we had lunch. From there it was an easy walk down to Headstone Lane and Pinner Park Farm and up to Pinner where the majority enjoyed tea and coffee in the High Street.
Sunday 18 August
General Area: Kings Langley and Chipperfield Commons Circular Miles: 8 moderate
Leader: Kay Waddilove and Margaret Huitson
Nature of walk: This is a circular walk taking in the Grand Union Canal, Scatterdells Wood and Chipperfield Common, starting at Kings Langley station. Enjoy the open countryside, delightful woodland and some great views. Please bring a picnic for our lunch stop on Chipperfield Common, where there will be an opportunity to get a drink and use the toilets at the Two Brewers pub. We then return across the rolling hills south-west of Kings Langley to the station, where the West Midlands line trains run half-hourly to Watford, Harrow and London.
Kay and Margaret's report: Despite a most frustrating start to the day, having woken to discover that the trains to Kings Langley had been cancelled, ten walkers did manage to get to the meeting point. (Big shout-out here for Chauffeur Claire who offered to drive the two leaders!) The slightly delayed set-off was exacerbated by one of the leaders, who shall be nameless (it was the one with the dog), mistaking a river for a canal at an early stage and having to backtrack to check the difference... However, from then on all went well. Starting with a long and very scenic stretch along the Grand Union Canal, we then walked through Scatterdells Wood, stopped for lunch on Chipperfield Common (great pub, nice teashop and pleasantly shaded graveyard for our picnics), meandered past the Apostles Pond (sadly most of the apostles have been chopped down, but it was a good scenic spot for our picture), and then joined up with the Hertfordshire Way for the final stroll across beautiful open farmland back to Kings Langley. We were very lucky with the weather - sunny but not oppressive, with some welcome shade in the woods and a refreshing breeze across the open fields. A great walk, enjoyed by all.
Friday 30 August
General Area: Wendover Circular Miles: 10 moderate
Leader: Sue Aldridge
Nature of walk: A steady long, steep ascent up through Wendover Woods to then stop for coffee at the cafe with toilets, which is close to the highest point in The Chilterns. Descend the Firecrest trail to The Hale. Another shorter ascent up through Hale Wood to cross The Ridgeway. Then fields and woodland paths towards Swan Bottom and the Lee area. Picnic lunch, hopefully followed by drinks in one of the nearby pubs. Return in a northerly direction using part of the Chiltern Link path.
Can be muddy in woods after wet weather.
Sue's report: It was helpful that 8 of us met on Harrow on the Hill station as there was a strong possibility that the 9:39 train would be cancelled (like the 2 earlier trains), so possibly having to do a quick change of walk plan?! After many checks on phone and with the station staff, all was well and Chiltern trains took us to Wendover on time.
It was an ideal, sunny day for walking through Wendover Woods, as we had a cooling effect in the shelter of the beech trees during our two steep ascents in the morning. We had good views of Aylesbury Vale through the gap in the trees, near the summit, (Photo 1), then passed families having fun climbing on ‘Go Ape’ as we headed to the cafe for a coffee break. Then, as we started to head down the Firecrest trail, it coincided with part of the Gruffalo trail, so we headed over to greet the rather fearsome creature with his horns, sharp teeth and claws, and hoped he would smile with us for our 2nd photo stop, but to no avail!! After 6mls, we had our picnic lunch on Lee Village Green, followed by drinks/ice creams in ‘The Cock & Rabbit’.
We returned back to Wendover on mostly level field paths on ‘The Chiltern Link.’ in good time to get us back to Harrow area for 4.30ish.
As always with St Luke’s walkers, with their fine spirit of friendship, we enjoyed one another’s company, with plenty of chatter and laughs! Thanks to everyone for making it such a good day and we look forward to seeing many more walkers on our Autumn programme soon.
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
Sunday 29 September - Michael Romain
October 2024
Tuesday 1 October
General Area: Chesham circular to Ashley Green, Farms. Forts and Fighters. Miles: 9 miles moderate
Meeting time: 10:20 Meeting place: Chesham Station
Leader: Peter Polkinghorne Leader's phone: 07793 378483
Travel: from Harrow on the Hill, station catch the 9:41 train to Chesham.
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
Saturday 5 October
General Area: Burnham Beeches Miles: 10 moderate
Meeting time: 10:00 Meeting place: Burnham Beeches main car park - parking
charge £3 payable by card. Maps 175/172
Grid reference: SU957 851 Nearest postcode: SL2 3LB
Leader: John Harper Leader's phone: 07947 894 930
Travel: Car: Take M40 to Junction 2. Turn left on to A355. Turn right into Beeches
Road (there is a brown sign) and then straight on into Lord Mayors drive.
Parking is on your left.
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.
Saturday 12 October
Monday 14 October
Sunday 27 October - Glenn Connolly - Saunderton via West Wycombe
Thursday 31 October - Michael Romain
November 2024
Saturday 9 November
General Area: Pinner, Ickenham & North Harrow, in 2 parts. Miles: Part 1: 6 miles Part 2: 5 miles, both easy
Meeting time: 10:05 Meeting place: Pinner Station
Leader: Peter Polkinghorne Leader's phone: 07793 378483
Travel: from Harrow on the Hill, station catch the 9:55 train to Pinner.
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.
Friday 15 November
General Area: Wendover to Wendover Woods Circular Miles: 9 moderate - approx ascent 900ft
Meeting time: 10:20 Meeting place: outside Wendover Station
Leader: Sue Aldridge Leader's phone: 07713 025494 on day only.
Travel: Chiltern trains - Depart Harrow on the Hill 9:39 Arrive Wendover 10:16
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.
Sunday 24 November
Wednesday 27 November
-----------------------------
We hope our walk leaders will be ready. Please send the usual information to Hugo (hugohodge@btinternet.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 9 September 2024
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