Come and join us on one of our favourite Summer walks. We do not repeat our walks often, but we just love this so much, we don’t want to miss it…. and my Mint and Lavender tea is nearly finished, so I need to get to the Hop Shop! 🙂

This beautiful walk leads along the valley of the dreamy river Darent, through wheat and lavender fields. We will pass castles and roman villas, see birds of prey and an enormous Victorian railway bridge. We will follow some small country roads, but most of the routes are off-road, away from the cars.

Along the way we will visit the Hop shop, where you can find all kinds of Lavender goodies and treats.
Will you join us?

How to get there:

We meet up at 9.00 am at Denmark Hill train station to get the 9.23 Thameslink train, which should arrive at Eynsford at 10.05 am.

A full price return ticket to Eynsford (for the unlucky ones amongst us who don’t have a senior citizen card yet) is £8.10. You can either meet us at Denmark Hill, or you can meet us along the way or in Eynsford. Please take note of my mobile 078 078 3456 4, just in case you can’t find us!

If this is closer to you, you can take the train at these stations too:

Victoria, departs at 9.14 am
Peckham Rye: departs at 9.26 am
Nunhead: departs at 9.29 am

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! 🙂

Terrain and length of the route:

The route is about 6.5 miles/ 10 kilometres, but might be slightly longer as we wander around the Lavender fields and the Hopshop

This walk mostly follows the river banks and is fairly flat.

Toilets, food/drinks & what to bring:

I suggest we bring a pick-nick and enjoy our lunch outside, but if the weather isn’t very attractive for eating outside, There is a visitor centre with some nice food and the hopshop usually serves tea and scones.

This walk will happen in any weather, unless it is unsafe, so bring your waterproofs and (preferably waterproof) shoes with a good grippy profile. I am optimistic about the weather and have a reputation to uphold, so I am counting on sunny weather. So don’t forget to bring a sunhat/cap and sunscreen and make sure to bring something to drink for on the way.

Who can join?

Anyone who can comfortably walk 7 miles/11 km.
Feel free to bring a friend or family member, with or without poles. Nordic Walkers or not, that doesn’t matter, as long as they 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 on 078 078 3456 4 and I will bring you some.

Cost:

£10
If you are one of our regular Fit and Happy Outdoors walkers I can recommend buying a ten-session card for £89. This card can be used on Explorer walks as well as our other Nordic Walking fitness walks.
(We also lead regular Nordic Walking fitness classes. These happen every weekday in Burgess Park/ Brockwell Park/ Sydenham Hill and Dulwich Park.)
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.

How to join this 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: