Join us on Bluebell walk in the Combe Valley: Northwood to Rickmansworth.

Saturday 14 April 2018 – Join us for this fabulous walk with a great mixture of ancient woods, open country side, old villages, the grand Union Canal and the lakes near Rickmansworth.

We will start our walk exploring the ancient Ruislip woods. With a bit of luck, the bluebells and woodland flowers will be out in full force when we visit. Out of the woods, we will walk through pleasant open country with fine views over the Colne valley to get to the old village of Harefield. For a short while we will join the Grand Union Canal. We will keep an eye out for Kingfishers and By the lakes before Rickmansworth we might Our walk ends by the

Ruislip Woods was London’s first National Nature Reserve. The woods are recorded in the Doomsday Book in 1068 and there are many species of plants and flowers that are only found in ancient woodlands.

At the boundary between Hertfordshire and the old county of Middlesex (now the border with the London Borough of Hillingdon, we will pass an old cast iron post. This post was a reminder to ships bringing commodities into London to pay their taxes.

From mediaeval times the City of London Corporation collected taxes on coal and other commodities brought into the city. Money from the coal tax was used for the rebuilding of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Guildhall and Newgate Prison, as well as bridges over the Thames, the Thames Embankment and many other construction projects in London.

Will you join us on this walk?

How to get there:

We will meet at 9.30 by the coffee shop to the left of Bakerloo line entrance of Elephant and Castle station (close to bus stop E), where we aim to take the Bakerloo line to Bakerstreet, from where we will hop on the Metropolitan line to Northwood.

If this is easier for you, you can also meet us in Northwood. If you do get the train at a different station, please make sure you text me on 078 078 3456 4 to tell me you plan to do that, and then again once you are on it, and in which carriage you are, so we don’t get all worried that you are not there! 🙂

Both Northwood tube station and Rickmansworth on the Chiltern Railway are within the Oyster and 60+ Freedom card zone, so there is no need to buy tickets in advance.

Terrain and length of the route:

The route is about 9 miles/ 14 kilometres. We will walk on a variety of terrain, with some uneven grassy paths. The terrain is quite flat and easy from Northwood to Bayhurst Woods, around Harefield the path gets a bit hillier, before flattening out nearer to Rickmansworth.

It is April, so puddles and mud can be expected. Please bring good footwear.

Toilets, food/drinks & what to bring:

I suggest we bring a pick-nick and enjoy your lunch outside. It is a great idea to bring a flask, so you have something warm to drink for on the way if you get a bit cold. There are a few café’s and pubs along the route, so if the weather isn’t attractive enough to eat outside, we could stop at one of those to eat inside and warm up.

I have a reputation to uphold, so I am counting on sunny weather, but this walk will happen in any weather, unless it is unsafe. Please check the forecast and bring your waterproofs and shoes with a good grippy profile. Waterproof trainers are highly recommended.

Who can join?

Anyone who can comfortably walk 9 miles. Feel free to bring a friend or family member, with or without poles. Nordic Walker or not, you are very welcome to join us, if you are Fit (enough) and Happy! 😊

Are you a Nordic walker but don’t have your own poles? Would you like to borrow some from me? Text me THE MORNING OF THE WALK on 078 078 3456 4 and I will bring you some. (please, please do not ask me for poles days before the walk unless you remind me the morning of the walk, or risk walking without poles.)

Cost:

£10 or, if you are one of our regular Fit and Happy Outdoors walkers, one stamp on your 10 session card. (£89 for ten walks)

If you are genuinely poverty stricken- £5

(Train tickets and food or drinks at café not included)

Need poles?

Don’t have your own poles? Would you like to borrow some from me? Text me the MORNING OF THE WALK on 078 078 3456 4 and I will bring you some. (please, please do not ask me days before, as I will forget and that will make us both unhappy!)

Thinking about buying your own?
Check our shop for a great range of poles. Too much choice? You might like to read this useful guide first. Feel free to give us a ring, we are happy to advise you on the best poles for your lifestyle, needs and wishes.

Joining A Walk

New to Fit and Happy Outdoors? Please fill in the registration and health questionaire, which you can find here and email them to walks@fitandhappyoutdoors.com at least 24 hours before the session, mentioning in the header which walk you want to join. That will give us enough time to get back to you and discuss your needs and experience.

Please sign up for our Meetup Group to easily RSVP and find out when the next walks are.

Not on Meetup (yet)? You can also use this contact form: