Fairfield Ramblers
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A guided walk and a day out usually on the last Saturday each month and some Bank Holidays. From 9.15am onwards.
General Information
- Fairfield Ramblers is an activity of Northwood Hills Evangelical Church, Windsor Close, Northwood Hills HA6 1PD.
- Unless otherwise stated within the programme we meet outside Fairfield on the last Saturday of every month, or on the adjacent Bank Holiday.
- Please call Derek, or David for further information, or if you would like to lead a walk.
- Please bring your friends. We assemble at the church car park at 9.15am then using what vehicles are available we set off for the starting point by 9.30am.
- There is normally a pool of cars so please come and join us even if you do not have a vehicle.
- Our walks generally range from 3½ miles upwards and are classified as easy, moderate or challenging according to the degree of difficulty. Timings indicated are minimum times. The programme gives an indication of suggested lunch arrangements (if any). Please feel free to bring a light snack anyway
- All map references are based upon the OS Explorer 1:25 000 series for those wishing to meet up at the starting point.
- In the event of bad weather a decision is normally made en masse prior to setting out. But if it is obviously going to be difficult please call David on 07740 283363 or Derek no later than 08.50 on the walk day.
- In any event the walk leader will still appear at the church to give the decision of abandonment.
- Walks are subject to change at short notice through weather conditions or otherwise.
- Please make sure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear for walking, and bring some fluids to drink.
Programme
February 2011 — January 2012
- 26 February
- Highgate-Hampstead. Walking London.
(6 miles — 4½ hrs)
This is a long and hilly walk across London's Northern Heights. There are fine views from many places especially from Parliament Hill (319ft) on Hampstead Heath. There are many historic places and facts to appreciate in this walk. The walk starts at Archway Station (Northern Underground Line) and ends at Hampstead Station (Northern Underground Line). There are Pubs and refreshments en route or at the end. GJ+HJ - 26 March
- Burnham Beaches, Bucks. (4¼ miles — 1¾ hrs)
Ascent 150ft. Paths: woodland and drives, field paths, tracks and stretches of road. 9 stiles. Start Exp 172 SU 957850. Car park at Burnham Beaches. Enjoy the spacious clearings and sunny glades of a National Nature Reserve. Bring own snacks and refreshments or there are Public Houses in Littleworth Common and around Burnham. AA 208. AA+IA - 25 April — Easter Monday Bank Holiday
- Ivinghoe Beacon, Bucks. (7½ miles — 3½ hrs)
Paths good but can be muddy. Gradient moderate with 2 steeper sections. Enjoy historic routes across the Chilterns along the Ridgeway to Ivinghoe Beacon then back through beechwoods, this is a trail steeped in history. Refreshments: bring own lunch, though there are two pubs and a shop in Aldbury. Park in the centre of Aldbury by the pond. Exp 181 964125. DP+RP - 30 May — Monday Bank Holiday
- Coombe Hill & Chequers. (7 miles — 4 hrs)
Moderate. Explorer Map 181 Start 864075, parking in road or layby. Approx 8 stiles. 3 hills. Good footpaths over chalk downlands climbing to Coombe Hill [ 850ft] & Monument with great views over the Chilterns, continuing to Ellesborough Church and Chequers, beech woods and farmland to Dunsmore and back to Wendover. Bank Holiday so bring a packed lunch, there are cafes in Wendover at the end if wanted. KH+JH - 25 June
- Chess Valley, Bucks. (6¼ miles — 3 hrs)
14 stiles, moderate terrain. Well marked paths, over gently rolling countryside. Start Exp 172 GR003989 at village green Latimer. A major feature of the walk is the river Chess. Along the way there are fine views of historic buildings and gently wooded hills. Refreshments at the end in a Public House in Chenies (Bedford Alms or Red Lion). DC+JC - 30 July
- Horsenden Hill. (3¼ miles — 2 hrs)
Start at The Black Horse Pub in Oldfield Lane Greenford. Refreshments also at The Black Horse with a good range of food. The Ballot Box PH bottom of Horsenden Hill is a family pub open all hours. The walk is not too long and starts along the towpath of the Paddington Arm of The Grand Union Canal and climbs up Horsenden Hill which at 275ft is the highest point in Ealing. This is an area of natural beauty. Travel by public transport and use Greenford Central Lane station. PP+EP - 29 August — Monday Bank Holiday
- Cowleaze Wood. (7½ miles — 3½ hrs)
Start in car park in Cowleaze Wood Exp 171 726962. Follow marked footpaths with some steep gradients. The wood is set high in the Chiltern Hills with amazing views over the surrounding countryside. There is a great mix of habitats in this small wood and plenty of paths to explore. There should be good views of red kites. Bring own packed lunch but there is a cafe in the woods. DP+RP - 24 September
- Turville Heath, Bucks. (7¾ miles — 4 hrs)
Moderate terrain, 4 Stiles. Explore some of the finest scenery in the Chilterns where villages snuggle in pasture lined valleys. Start and parking at car park at the triangular junction at end of Batesman's Lane. Grid Ref SU744908 Exp 171. Refreshments at Bull & Butcher PH at Turville Chequers Inn Fingest, The Frog Skirmett (Country Walking 07). GJ&HJ - 29 October
- Hambleden Bucks (7½ miles — 3½ hrs, maybe shortened to 3½ miles if paths are muddy)
Moderate Terrain, 4 stiles and 2 ascents. We walk through beautiful beech wood. We visit 2 of the finest Chiltern villages and walk along the banks of the Thames. Start and parking behind Stag and Huntsman PH in Hambleden. Grid ref SU 785866 Exp 171 & 172 Satnav RG9 6RP (Country Walking 07 page 60). AA&IA - 26 November
- Rickmansworth Figure of 8 (4.6 miles — 3 hrs)
This is a relatively flat walk and follows the canal from Rickmansworth Aquadrome to Croxley Common Moor. After crossing the moor, the route follows the Ebury Way — a footpath following an old railway line — back to the Aquadrome. Apart from a few paved areas, the path has a tendency to be slightly muddy after rain and holds some puddles. Two kissing gates no stiles. Refreshments: Cafe in the Aquadrome, Pubs around Batchworth Lock and Albert's Garden. Nearest Station Rickmansworth Met. Car Parking Aquadrome Car Park. Exp 172 Grd Ref 054939. JH&KH - 27 December — Boxing Day
- Local Walk led by Derek Peters
So please phone him if you want to attend for time and details of walk. - 2nd January 2012 — Bank Holiday Walk
- Stockers Lake (3 miles — 2 hrs)
Gentle walk around Stockers Lake areas with Derek. Lots of Bird Watching so bring your binoculars! Stile: 1. Start: Rickmansworth Aquadrome Car Park. Exp 172 Grd Ref 054939. No pub lunch (though there is a snack restaurant now open). DP+RP - 28 January
- Regents Canal London (5½ miles — 2½ hrs)
Warrick Avenue - Little Venice - Regent's Park - Camden Lock Market - St Pancras Basin - Chapel Market - Camden Passage - Angel
Start: Warwick Avenue Tube Station (Bakerloo Line). This is a straight forward walk and follows the canal along the first and most interesting section, between Little Venice and Islington. The walk passes through Regent's Park and Camden Lock Market and ends near Camden Passage antiques market. This provides an interesting and uncommon view of London. There is one flight of stairs to walk down.
Refreshments: The Warwick Castle Pub in Warwick Place and the floating restaurant in Little Venice; Camden Lock Market; Pubs/Cafes in Islington.
Public Transport: Warwick Avenue (Bakerloo Line), Angel (Northern Line). PP&EP