We are the North East London Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
There is a limit of 20 people for this walk and booking is essential. To book a place, please send an email to Annette, using the email contact link.
A leisurely walk with a couple of hills, plus country and waterside views. We start by following the Old Shire Lane (mainly a track) through gently undulating countryside and passing along the edge of woodland and fields. We cross fields and the M25, then walk along lanes. After taking a path between lakes we reach our lunch stop - the Coy Carp at Harefield (after 5 miles). I have booked a table for 6. Please email me ASAP if you want a pub lunch, and by Friday 20 December at the very latest. After lunch we have a short climb, to follow the Colne Valley Trail. Then we drop down to the Grand Union Canal, eventually leaving the towpath to pass lakes and toilets before reaching Rickmansworth Station.
There are no mainline trains, due to HS2 work, but the Metropolitan Line is running. Trains to Amersham or Chesham stop at Chorleywood. The 09.04 train to Amersham from Baker Street is the latest possible train, though your leader may catch an earlier train. More trains run from Baker Street and there is less risk of being let down by last minute schedule changes. If there is a problem, catch the first train that comes along and change at Harrow-on-the-Hill if necessary.
Use a Freedom Pass or Oyster Zone 7 pass or contactless. Toilets at the start and finish stations are usually open.
It's possible to drop out after lunch by walking uphill for 5-10 minutes to the corner of Shelley Lane, then catching the U9 bus to Uxbridge Tube Station, via Harefield Hospital. They run at 18, 38 and 58 minutes past the hour and you might have to change at the hospital. Mud and puddles are likely, so walking boots are essential and poles would be useful. On the recce the puddles could be bypassed. The toilets are usually open at both stations.
There is a limit of 20 people for this walk, so please book via the NELR website.
Chorleywood Station - Platform 1 (Northbound)
Rickmansworth Station
