The London-based hiking group for people in their 20s - 30s.
BOOKING IS COMPULSORY FOR THIS WALK IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND - LIMIT 7 PEOPLE.
Booking link:
https://www.meetup.com/metropolitan-walkers/events/303987014
The Capital Walkers have kindly invited us to join them on this walk, taken from their standard programme - many thanks to them for this!
With a little effort Dungeness reveals its desolate beauty. One of the largest expanses of shingle in Europe and of international conservation importance for its geomorphology, plant and invertebrate communities and bird life, Dungeness is a national nature reserve, a Special Protection Area, a Special Area of Conservation and part of the Site of Special Scientific Interest of Dungeness, Romney Marsh and Rye Bay.
Visit the Old Lighthouse (£4) for 'unique and perfect views over the 500 cuspate shingle ridges that have formed the foreland'.
Or simply enjoy a walk along the shoreline.
Dungeness was home to director and artist the late Derek Jarman: Prospect Cottage is now managed by Creative Folkestone. It's not open for visits on 26 Oct but the exterior and garden can be viewed with due sensitivity to the environment.
There will be time to explore and enjoy our packed lunch before we set off at around 13:00 (to catch the low tide) along the shoreline to Camber Sands and onward to Rye where we can enjoy a libation before our return.
A very rare opportunity to complete this walk by reversing the original route, relatively safely and with the least effort:
The firing range is closed so we can take the direct route along the shoreline.
We have a low tide window in which to walk the coastline (easier to walk on the wet sand, avoiding most of the pebbles and shingle).
We will likely be walking into dusk as we enter Rye so please ensure you bring a head torch (or hand torch).
Please note that the tide is not 100% predictable, and bad weather or short notice changes to the military range firing times may significantly alter our plans for the day.
Dungeness is a fragile environment - and we need to get the bus - so places will be limited and booking is essential. Please click 'attend' on the Meetup entry (above) if you want to join the walk.
Travel:
Take the 09:07 train from London St Pancras, arriving Ashford International 09:45. Connect with #11 bus leaving at 10:18, journey time 53 mins, arriving at the Pilot Inn, Lydd-on-sea at approximately 11:09. Bus fare is £4.
Hourly return trains from Rye at 50 mins past the hour until 18:50 changing at Ashford International for London St Pancras. Thereafter engineering works mean a rail replacement bus to Ashford International, adding ten minutes to the journey time, before changing onto the high speed train to London St Pancras (departing Rye at 19:39 and 20:39, with the last at 21:39).
Buy a Super Off Peak Day Return from London St Pancras to Rye (Sussex). The ticket must be valid on HS1.
Drop out point: hourly buses from Camber to Rye.
No dogs.
The finishing time is an estimate only and will be dependent on a number of factors, such as weather, the speed at which the group walks and the number of breaks taken.
** A message from Tony, your leader**
Dear fellow Dungeness explorers
Looking forward to meeting you all tomorrow.
A reminder that our walk is fourteen miles and graded 'moderate' on the Ramblers scale (see 'how to know if a Ramblers walk is right for you'):
"[...] may include some steep paths and open country walking. They will be at a brisk pace so you will need a good level of fitness and experience of walking in the countryside. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential."
Please remember to bring a head torch (or hand torch) - check / charge batteries and bring spares (twilight starts 18:14).
Waterproof walking boots are essential.
Given the unpredictable weather forecast, please bring also a waterproof jacket and trousers/over-trousers.
Travel contingencies. If either of these scenarios happen we will have less time in Dungeness, if both happen (later train and cancelled 11:18 bus) we will miss our low tide window and have to abandon the trip:
Once we start the walk from Dungeness to Camber Sands there are no places where we can get water or food and no toilets.
A suggested kit checklist follows:
A reminder that Denim or jeans are not suitable for hiking. See the Ramblers website for advice on having confidence in your gear.
Pilot Inn car park, Battery Road, Lydd-on-Sea.
Rye Railway Station
