Posts

Pennine Way - Gargrave to Horton-in-Ribblesdale

Image
This is the second of two days walking the Pennine Way, having walked from Hebden Bridge up to Gargrave on the previous day. Today the plan is to walk from Gargrave (where I have stayed overnight), up to Horton-in-Ribblesdale. Although, in the end I do skip the section heading over Pen-y-Ghent, with the walk having taken a little longer than expected - and to ensure that I catch my preferred train home, and not push into the final trains of the day.  Making an early start on the way out of Gargrave, I head up through town, and then head up on a minor road, heading up north, passing numerous dog walkers on the way. After about half a mile following this path, I head off the road, and start heading through fields on a stretch that takes me through to Eshton Moor. Not far beyond here, I pass alongside the road, and meet up with the River Aire - which I will now follow up to Malham. It is a pretty river to walk along, and this section reminds me a lot of the section heading down from ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Pennine Way - Hebden Bridge to Gargrave

Image
The Pennine Way is one of the more well known of the National Trails - but prior to this walk I had only walked two short stretches - one short section at Hawes, and another where the Pennine Way joins up with Hadrian's Wall above Haltwhistle. Now felt like the time to correct my lack of acquaintance with this trail, and so today I was heading out to complete a stretch from Hebden Bridge to Gargrave - planning tomorrow to follow up with the section to Horton-in-Ribblesdale. Although I am doing these walks over two days, you can equally get on and off the trail at Gargrave - and so these walks could be done as solitary walking days. On this particular day, the walk from Hebden Bridge up to Gargrave is quite a long way, and so it is probably best to do it in two days. For me, the best option for this would be to stay near Ponden Reservoir. You could also use the bus to reach the train network at Keighley from there. As it is, upon my reaching Hebden Bridge, what I find is an old York...
Post a Comment
Read more

Thames Path - Hampton Court to Richmond

Image
This is a shorter section of the Thames Path, running from Hampton Court up to Richmond, with this joining up with a route walked from Battersea to Richmond previously. Travelling to Hampton Court station, the walk starts immediately by the edge of the river, and from here you walk straight out onto Hampton Court Bridge - which heads over the river to Hampton Court Palace. Hampton Court Palace Hampton Court Palace is a well preserved site. Construction started in 1514 to build a grand house for Cardinal Wolsey, and the palace was given to the king after a falling out between Cardinal Wolsey and King Henry VII.  The palace was expanded in later years with the intent of building a more impressive palace and it is actually a decent site to visit due to its size - although at £28 per adult it is quite expensive. For £60 you can buy membership for a year, which then also gives access to the Tower of London as well - although at that price its still quite a large amount, but maybe worth...
Post a Comment
Read more

North Downs Way - Guildford to Farnham

Image
This was the final day of walking to complete both the Canterbury loop version of the North Downs Way and the final day of a shorter walk from Rochester to Farnham. For today I had swapped out my Dad's company for my Mum's, and would be heading out from Guildford to Farnham. For the previous day please click the following link: Day 3: Merstham to Guildford The walk started exactly as the last day ended, heading out via Pewley Downs and along the mile path to rejoin the North Downs Way and since it is a lovely picture, the same picture from the end of the last walk can get a second run : View from Pewley Downs the night before Once rejoined with the North Downs Way it is a pretty walk through the woods which includes a short spell in the open past the horses grazing (the gap in the trees top left of the view above) - which is a particularly nice stretch to walk through. Just past the gap in the trees From here the path leads round to the car park for the Chantries wooded area (t...
Post a Comment
Read more

North Downs Way - Merstham to Guildford

Image
 Day 3 of a longer walk from Rochester to Farnham began in Merstham. For the previous day please click the following link:  Day 2 - Otford to Merstham Having stayed overnight in Redhill, and made use of the frequent train links up from Redhill (no need to buy a ticket, just tap in and out), it was a quick trip up from Redhill back onto the North Downs Way. The latest version of the route map at Merstham This would be my favorite day of the trip and the first half from here to Dorking was the better half of the day in terms of scenery. Initially the route takes you on a bit of a roundabout meander through the old bits of Merstham (which is worth doing despite the temptation to head through more directly as it takes you through the older part of town), before heading out of Merstham. On the way out, it is a case of heading through the golf course and then past Gatton Hall School (or Royal Alexandra & Albert School - both names seem to be used), which for £7,000 a term gives ...
Post a Comment
Read more