Sunday 30th August 2026 Box Hill & Westhumble station to Leatherhead

This walk from Box Hill & Westhumble station to Leatherhead via North Downs Way, Ranmore Common and either Norbury Park or Bocketts Farm (for refreshments). About 8 miles,

“Thank you so much for today’s walk @⁨~Hugh WALLIS⁩ — it was absolutely amazing! Seamless leading, a really well-organised route, and spot-on pacing with the beautiful resting stops. We got so lucky with the weather, too — just 4 minutes of rain 💃🏻🕺🏻 It was really the ideal walking weather today. That part of Surrey is beautiful. Would definitely walk again — thank you! ” Ash

“The walk was an excellent experience and done in very nice company. So once again thanks Hugh for organising it,”

Hi, for those on yesterday’s walk and others curious about the plaque in West Humble to Fanny ( Frances) Burney, the 18th/ early 19th century novelist there’s moreNow I had never heard of her, although I may have seen the plaque before but without taking it in. However, it turns out that when my sister worked years ago as a secretary at St Thomas’s Hospital, she worked for an Epidemiologist, (who is still around, but retired). His name is Professor Peter Burney, and he is a direct descendant of Fanny Burney. My sister assures me that although not so well known as say Jane Austen, her contemporary, she is still quite well known, and screen dramas have been made of her stuff.

So there you go! A great walk. Nigel

“Lovely photos and fab walk thanks Hugh and everyone for a great day and so lucky with the weather too!” Rosie

Photos by Ash. Comments from walkers Ash, Rosie, Nigel. Walk organised and led by Hugh

Sunday 9 August 2026 Hertford North to Watton-at-Stone, (6 mi)

This lovely linear walk between Hertford North Station and Watton-at-Stone Station follows the River Beane. Parts of the river path are shaded, others open. The route crosses Waterford Marsh and Waterford Heath before entering the Woodhall Park estate. The great house is leased to a school; our route takes a bridge over R Beane where conservation work is supporting wildlife and cleaner water.

After leaving the estate we take a steady 35m rise along agricultural fields, then down into the small market town of Watton at Stone. There are two pubs close to the finish point, The George and Dragon and The Bull, reached by a path from the church; in the other direction it is 500m to the station. The whole route is six miles including village refreshment visit.

Pamela Mossman and I walked this in September 2025; once out of the streets it traverses idyllic countryside. The riverside path was nearly deserted; on a Sunday, perhaps some dog walkers

Friday 31st July 2026. Serpentine amble, visit to David Hockney and picnic

This was a short walk, organised so that those of us who are no longer able to do the regular walks, could meet up and spend time in a green space, as well as see one of David Hockney’s last works of art. Everyone was welcome.

Liz, Val, Sara Leon, Stephanie, John T, Carolyn and Tessa met at the Lancaster Gate entrance to Kensington Gardens.

We walked in a leisurely way, admiring the Italian Gardens, the Peter Pan statue in his newly landscaped surrounds and Henry Moore’s The Arch sculpture across the water.

The walk took us along the Serpentine, which was very pleasant in the current hot weather.

Once we arrived at the North gallery, we spent time at the exhibition: David Hockney’s ‘ A Year In Normandie and Some Other Thoughts About Painting’. The main feature is a panoramic frieze of the countryside in northern France through the changing seasons. It is made up of about 100 iPad paintings and stretches 90 metres around the room. This was David Hockney’s homage to the Bayeux Tapestry. He was also inspired by Chinese scroll paintings.

We all enjoyed following the seasons around the room and found the piece to be uplifting.

Afterwards we gathered for a picnic under the trees in the grounds of the gallery. New members Eileen and Tele joined us later.

The group then split – some walking back along the other side of the Serpentine to Lancaster Gate; some going onto the south gallery, where there is a Cecily Brown exhibition; and some walking further along the Serpentine, with a stop at the Lido cafe and a further walk to the tube/bus.

The Serpentine and the artwork provided a common backdrop for people to meet up and spend a pleasant afternoon together.

Liz

Sunday 14th June 2026 Princes Risborough circular

Eleven of us did the approximately 9 mile circular walk from Princes Risborough very near the Chilterns escarpment. We went via the Ridgeway and Chilterns way through fields and woods.

Went past the recently restored Windmill at Loosley Row but were too early to go in. We ate lunch in the garden of the now deserted and rather derelict Parslows Hillock pub.

Finally to Whiteleaf Hill on the escarpment with a great view of the vale of Aylesbury. Great weather.

Words by Miriam, Photos by Ash

Thursday 28 May 2026. Thames Path walk.

Just three of us turned out for this third stage of the Thames Path, others deterred by the heat wave.  However, cloud cover and a gentle breeze worked in our favour: the walking was comfortable. 

Once out of Tilehurst, the path took us through bushy tunnels; song birds above, then open pastures, the widening river tranquil. At half way point we reached Caversham, a suburb of Reading. Here the river bank is paved with many benches and more people; beyond Reading it becomes more rural, but with moored houseboats not to mention rowing clubs’ boathouses. The back gate of the august Reading School records the death by drowning of a senior master.  

Altogether an easy seven miles with some pleasant scenery; subtle variations in the flowing water up to Sonning Lock and Weir, where we ended.  Sonning is a strung-out, well-heeled suburban village. We had to ask directions to find a bus stop – but got a lift with an empty school bus (pupils on holiday, their bus still running) halfway to Reading, then a regular bus into the city. 

Steve Butters

Bank holiday Monday 25th May 2026 Sevenoaks circular

On a very hot day several people sent their apologies and withdrew from the walk but Hugh, Nigel, Steve and 2 dogs still went ahead. It was a 7.5 mile circular walk to the west of Sevenoaks station. The walk is through woodland (with some road walking) and visits Dryhill nature reserve.

Sorry, but haven’t mastered selfies! Lunch at Dryhill. Navigation a bit challenging as description doesn’t match the map! All panting, probably Gertie the most, but safely back to Sevenoaks.

Walk led by and ‘selfie’ photo by Hugh.