September: Epping Forest Linear: Thirteen of us set off from Chingford Station on a lovely late summer’s day. Heading south, through a narrow green corridor of the southern reaches of Epping Forest, we wound our way along woodland paths and across grasslands, passing by Whitehall Plain, through Hatch Forest & Plain and into Highams Park, where we stopped for a coffee break at Humphry’s cafe. After our break, we walked by Highams Lake, through Walthamstow Forest and Rising Sun Wood, finishing our walk at Wood Street Station.


August: Shenfield to Brentwood: A walk in Essex of contrasts. After suburban streets reflecting both prosperity and hardship, we were soon crossing arable fields being ploughed in preparation for planting. Next a walk along a shaded, woody path flanked by a golf course and a very grand, once stately, home set in manicured gardens. Another stretch of country park and canopied woodland, with the chance of a break to enjoy a drink and snack. We were blessed with sunshine, a breeze and, most valuable of all, the opportunity to explore yet another area, close to home but with much to enjoy and ponder.








August: Chingford-Epping Forest circular: On a fine August day fifteen of us set off from Chingford Station to do a circular walk around Epping Forest. We walked up through the woods along Green Ride and Centenary Walk (with a few diversions!) as far as the Original Tea Hut for our coffee break, before turning south along Grimston’s Oak Ride as far as Grimston’s Oak, apparently over 350 years old and named after a Victorian cricketer. We then walked around the pleasant lake, Connaught Water, with several herons, before walking past some longhorn cattle and up to the Butler’s Retreat Café in time for lunch.






July: Falconwood to Woolwich: On a (finally!) glorious summer day, nine of us undertook a seven mile walk from Falconwood to Woolwich — basically section one of the Capital Ring in reverse. Initially uphill through shady ancient woods, once part of Eltham's royal hunting grounds, at the top we had great views south to the Downs. From here most of the route is downhill, passing the glorious folly at Severndroog, across rewilded Woolwich Common, then to Charlton Park with its Jacobean mansion and friendly community cafe. Two further heavily wooded parks took us down to the Thames Barrier and from there we followed the Thames Path to our destination. This area was new to several of our walkers and a pleasant revelation. You can see the route on OSmaps here.

July: Chesham to Little Chalfont: Eight of us headed out to Chesham on the Metropolitan Line to embark on a walk of 6¼ miles. A brief climb through woodland immediately took us above the town and revealed panoramic views of the Chilterns. Walking boots, sticks, long trousers and even secateurs all came in handy as we proceeded through farmland, across fields and through more trees, where the recent heavy rain had made conditions more challenging than usual! Everyone was up for the adventure though and appreciated the opportunity to immerse themselves in some genuine countryside. Skylarks sang and red kites were seen hovering overhead.

After about 3 miles we joined the Chess Valley Walk. Here the abundance of butterflies was striking. Following a brief stop for a picnic lunch we were able to enjoy clear views of the River Chess, Latimer House and Chenies Manor — the weather was merciful and the rain held off. We were accompanied by cattle, sheep and horses. Eventually we descended to the bank of the river and were treated to the sight of ducks with their ducklings, swans with their cygnets, and even a heron and an egret standing side-by-side above a weir. One more short climb up a field and through trees brought us out onto the only road we walked along all morning, which took us to Chalfont and Latimer Station for a straightforward journey back to Islington.

June: Kingston to Marble Hill: Our group of twelve walkers met at Vauxhall station and travelled to Kingston, on a fine day, though cooler than expected after the preceding heatwave. We walked to the river for a coffee break in leafy Canbury Gardens, before our five mile walk along the Thames towpath to the foot ferry near Ham House, passing the locks at Teddington Weir, and enjoying the quiet, apart from the occasional chiffchaff and the sound of boats on the river. We took the delightful Hammerton foot ferry across the river, spotting a heron nearby and trying unsuccessfully to spot the seal which the ferryman said he had seen earlier. Finally, we walked up to the 18th century Marble Hill House, before taking the bus to Richmond and then the Overground back to Islington.




June: Tottenham Hale to the Olympic Park: A lovely walk on a lovely day. Not far from Tottenham Hale station we picked up the towpath of the River Lea for almost all of the walk to the Olympic Park, along the way making a coffee stop detour at the impressive Springfield Park cafe, where we took our refreshments on their lawn surrounded by beautiful flower borders and birdsong. We passed by Walthamstow wetland and marshes and also Hackney marshes with everything looking green and healthy after the recent rains. The bikes on the towpath were successfully navigated and we survived intact to finish this enjoyable walk at a cafe in the Olympic Park.





May: Farthing Downs and Happy Valley: A perfect late May Day for this five mile walk starting on Farthing Downs, accompanied by singing skylarks, and descending through woodland into meadows of yellow rattle, buttercups and orchids. An unexpected obstacle of large fallen trees across the path in the woods was successfully negotiated by all 15 of us, with essential help from Philip, Patrick and John to whom thanks. Back to Coulsdon South station for the 13.09 train home, or lunch in the conveniently located cafe in Grange Park.



May: Central London parks: On a beautifully sunny day, fourteen of us had an easy stroll through London's parks at their best now, in full and resplendent leaf and brilliant shades of green. Starting in Holland Park, with its shady wooded areas and Japanese and more formal gardens, we crossed to Kensington Gardens, past the sunken garden and the round pond, continuing as far as the Italian garden for our coffee break. Then we followed the Serpentine into Hyde Park as far as the rose garden, crossing under the Wellington Arch and into Green Park and then St James's Park, ending with a stroll through the back streets of St James's.


May: Richmond Park and Isabella Plantation: Eleven walkers enjoyed the delights of the Isabella Plantation’s azaleas and bluebells in Richmond Park. Despite the preceding night of stormy weather, we were blessed with a dry, if cloudy, day for our walk. After following the Thames Path beside a river at high tide, we were soon walking through a quiet Richmond Park with only birdsong (does the screeching of parakeets really count as ‘song’?) as accompaniment. Although some of the azaleas and rhododendrons were beginning to go over (it gets earlier every year it seems) they were still pretty impressive. We continued to the beautiful Pembroke Lodge for lunch, with its terraced Mediterranean garden and extensive views, before finally making our way back to the station on the handy bus from the Petersham Gate.

April: Banstead Wood: Fourteen of us took the train from London Bridge to Chipstead and, within minutes of leaving the station, found ourselves deep in Surrey countryside. We followed undulating, occasionally muddy paths through mixed woodland and across chalk grassland, in intermittent sunshine and accompanied by birdsong, the bluebells in the woods did not disappoint, frequently interspersed as they were with white wood anemones. Likewise, the cowslips on the downland were stunning, accompanied by wild strawberries in flower. Sheep were grazing, Roman snails were enjoying the damp ground, butterflies fluttered by and we saw our first bees of the year. A lovely, rural walk within a stone’s throw of London.

April: Canary Wharf to Greenwich: The group gathered at Canary Wharf in unexpectedly dry weather. Hazy sunshine at times and the usual windy gusts. We walked past the East India Dock and on past the West India Dock. On through Mudchute Park and reaching the river we travelled through the foot tunnel to Greenwich. We walked through Greenwich Park and had a pleasant lunch in the cafe. Back into central London on the DLR in time for tea.



April: Forty Hall and Myddelton House gardens: We wondered about the viability of this walk when we were almost blown off the train platform by gale-force winds, in driving rain, before the walk had even begun. In the event we managed to walk mostly in sunshine, taking refuge from hail in the handy pop-up cafe at Forty Hall garden and then in the convenient Victorian conservatory in Myddelton House garden later, when a stormy shower erupted. We were treated to stunning floral displays, including drifts of forget-me-nots, bluebells, and azaleas. The blossom had even remained on some of the trees, despite the strong winds. All in all a rather dramatic spring walk.