Hainault Forest Country Park

On an unseasonably warm but very nice Sunday on 8th October, Madeleine and Louise led a short walk around Hainault Forest Country Park, which was incredibly busy but once we got around the lake and into the woods it was much quieter.

We were joined by Laurel, Jill Strudwick, Frances, Parviz, Richard, Trevor and fledgling member Pauline and first we went to the Henge, and then deeper into the woods, where we met a couple who recommended a statue on the sculpture trail. We went off to look for that, found it and then weren't quite sure where we were.... but we found some other sculptures and got back onto the trail, which wasn't the one we'd initially been following, but they tend to join up with each other and with Pauline's help we carried on in the cool shelter of the woods. Eventually we got back to the new cafe (which opened at Easter) and visitor centre, where we were joined by Cathy Smith for tea and whatever they had left at the cafe, and we sat outside and enjoyed the late afternoon sunshine. 

Thanks to everyone who came, and to Pauline for her help (she's a volunteer there).

Madeleine and Louise  13th October 2013

New Forest – 25th - 28th September 2023

Six of us (Ken, Richard, Cathy, Eileen, Louise & Marion) went youth (age is just a number) hostelling in Burley, Hampshire, organised by Eileen. Some of us availed ourselves of the unlimited breakfasts, including liberating fruit for the walks. Two opted for DIY breakfasts.

We travelled down in two cars and met up at the Shappen Café in Burley for a nice lunch, marred slightly by a few wasps which wanted a share of a cream tea. You do however have to give way to horses which saunter down the village streets.

Ponies in the New ForestWe then drove down to Bournemouth where some went in the Upside Down House and on the Observation Wheel then we all sauntered down the pier.

Whilst looking at the menu outside an Italian restaurant one customer dashed out and enthused over how wonderful the food was, she just seemed too over enthusiastic and we wondered if she was actually employed by the restaurant. So, after a lovely meal in a Thai restaurant we returned to Burley and the Youth Hostel.

Tuesday during breakfast, the rain came down in torrents, but by the time we were ready to leave it had blown over and we ended up with a lovely 8.5 mile circular walk from Whitemoor Car Park up to the Tall Trees Trail where we ate our sandwiches, then past Rhinefield House and back to the car park. It was a pleasant mix of forest and heath sometimes walking alongside streams, though at one point a massive puddle on a bridge over a stream made it feel like we were almost in the stream.

That evening we ate at the White Buck Inn just a stroll down from the Hostel. We were allocated seats at a rather sticky table, then had a long wait for our orders to be taken and an even longer wait for the food, which was OK, but nothing outstanding given the price and wait. The wines were also slightly expensive, but that’s another story.

A cottage in the village of BrookOn Wednesday we drove to the Rufus Stone (site of the death of William the Conqueror’s son in a hunting accident) from there we had a 5.5 mile walk up to Brook, where we stopped at the Green Dragon for refreshments and saw picturesque thatched cottages. Then back down to the Rufus Stone on the way we saw a couple of deer cross our path in the woods.

Although both walks were taken from a book and so were pre-walked, the directions sometimes left a bit to be desired leaving us at Much Dithering on the Moor. One was ‘turn right at the water tower’. You’d think that would be easy to spot even with all the trees, but we saw no sign of it.

A good map and compass or sometimes even google maps helps keep you on track.

In the evening we had an excellent meal at the Burley Inn. Service was quite a contrast to the night before.

On the drive back we stopped off at The Vyne (National Trust) near Basingstoke where we experienced a variety of guides – one outside and others in the rooms - giving us some of the history. We also had a pleasant stroll through the attached woods.

We slightly misjudged our leaving time so hit rush hour or worse round the M25/A406 and took 4 hours from The Vyne, but otherwise a good time was had by all.

Richard.   6th October 2023

Marble Hill House visit and walk

Five of us (Ken, Trevor, Laurel, Fozi & Richard) met at 11am at Richmond Station on a very warm and sunny Saturday 9th September 2023.

We strolled in the shade of the shops up to Richmond Bridge, crossed the bridge then followed along the Thames to Marble House Park, benefitting from the shade of trees and a slight river breeze.

The Thames itself was bustling with paddleboarders, canoeists and boats of varying sizes.

Leaving the Thames, we headed through the park, past youngsters playing football in the sweltering heat, up to the House itself. The House, though owned and run by English Heritage, is free of charge.

There were knowledgeable room guides bursting to tell some of the history of the House and it’s original owner – Henrietta Howard.

The building was quite cool inside due to the blinds used to protect furnishings and the general size of the rooms, there were also not too many other visitors so we could browse at our own pace.

After the house, we went to the café for some welcome refreshments, we then sauntered down to the river again, where we boarded Hammerton’s Ferry across to the other side and a stroll back to Richmond Station. We were informed that there were good views to be had from the top of Terrace Gardens, or probably better still, Richmond Hill, which has the only view protected by an Act of Parliament. However, we felt either option was best left for a cooler day. Indeed Fozi decided to catch a bus from the Gardens.

The remaining four carried on past the old Richmond Brewery buildings, then a unique Poppy Crossing (near the British Legion Poppy Factory) and back to the shops and station.

We covered about 4-4.5 miles, in total, which was plenty in the heat.

Richard.   10th September 2023

Cedar Park and River Lea Walk

Saturday 12th August saw nine of us - Louise, Madeline, Fozi, Ken, Cathy, Richard, Elaine, Dave and myself - meeting at Cheshunt Station for a leisurely 5½ mile walk. The walk was originally going to be partially along the new river, but unfortunately the footpaths were closed for works so we had to change plans (you wouldn’t believe the problems it caused me the previous week trying to recce a suitable route!)

We headed from the station towards the High Street, before heading off the main road to a track adjacent to a sports ground and turning south to emerge opposite Cedars Park, which is the former site of Theobalds Palace. The Palace itself was destroyed in the Civil War, but parts of it remain and it’s a nice tranquil park.

After having a wander around the park we exited and headed east toward Theobald’s Grove Station, and continued eastbound, crossing the railway line to enter the Lea Valley Park and headed to the White Water Rafting Centre for lunch, having watched the canoeists and rafters braving the wild water rapids. It looks like fun.

Suitably refreshed, we continued to the somewhat calmer waters of the River Lea Navigation and headed south to a lock before turning back alongside the River Lea, northwards. We followed the river for a couple of miles with the Gunpowder Mills over the river to our right, before turning left and crossing over the Lea Navigation to exit the park, then back to Cheshunt Station to return home.

 Trev.   10th September 2023