Central London Outdoor Group: Moving into the 21st century

Central London Outdoor Group: Moving into the 21st century: Members who have come on trips in the last few months will know that we have rolled out online payments for trips, online forms and the ...

Central London Outdoor Group: 20 trips away next yeaer

Central London Outdoor Group: 20 trips away next yeaer: 2017 is going to be another bumper year for Clog trips, with 20 planned so far.  As unusual, there is plenty of variety in our trips We...

Central London Outdoor Group: Country walks near London - Lazy Tuesday walks

Central London Outdoor Group: Country walks near London - Lazy Tuesday walks: The clocks have gone back and the shorter days are with us again but don't think of hibernating during the winter months.  The Lazy...

Lazy Tuesday Walks restart this Autumn!

The clocks have gone back and the shorter days will really commence but don't think of hibernating during the winter months. 

The Lazy Tuesday walks are restarting for the period November and March.  These walks will be in the range of 5.5 to 8.5 miles, and most of them will be within Zone 6 or only just outside and will have nice pub lunches and/or tea and cakes in cafes.

The idea is to NOT to get up at the crack of dawn and (if possible) to have "bail out" options in case of bad weather (not guaranteed).  These walks will also be subject to a Weather Check on Monday evening.  If the forecast is too dodgy, the walk will be rescheduled until later in the week. so if you are planning to come one one of these, always check our web calendar after 9pm the day before.

These walks are another good opportunity for prospective members or those just thinking about joining to meet existing members and find out more about CLOG

The following are planned for November and December - these are repeats of walks I did last winter and in the New Year I will be trying out some new Lazy Tuesday walks.

Banstead Downs, Oaks Park and Woodmansterne:  6 miles

A pleasant Autumn walk along Banstead Downs, 2 golf courses, a prison, Oaks Park, Woodmansterne and back to Bansteadstation by field paths.   Starts and finishes in Banstead so you can use your Oyster Card.

6 Commons Walks (circular walk from Esher) 6 miles.  

This walk includes Littleworth Common, Arbrook Common, Oxshott Heath, Esher Common, Fairmile Common, West End Common as well as Sandown Park Race Course and the Scilly Isles.  Starts and finishes at Esher (just outside Oyster zones, so you need a cheap day return)

Surrey Valleys and the ladder of salvation 5.5 miles

A hilly circular walk from Caterham, taking in the ancient and unusual church of St Peter and St Paul at Chaldon, Coulsdon Common and Kenley Aerodrome.  The Norman church contains the oldest known wall paintings in Britain, dating from the 12th century which vividly portray theLadder of Salvation which souls must climb to reach paradise. http://www.chaldonchurch.co.uk/chaldon-mural.  These wall paintings really are as amazing as the website picture shows.  The church is supposed to be open daily so we should be able to see murals.

Starts at Caterham and finishes at Whyteleafe on the same line (both in Oyster zone 6)

Dollis Valley Greenwalk 5miles
A linear walk from Totteridge & Whetstone tube to Hampstead Heath.  We mostly follow the Dollis through parks and woods, including a nice view of the Mill Hill viaduct.   The walk is either paved or else firm underfoot so hopefully no deep quagmire.

The walk officially finishes at the Hampstead Heath Extension and then we drop down to Golders Green station and Cafe Persia for afternoon tea near the station.

Lost Railways in North London walk 5 miles
A lost railway, overgrown platforms, disused stations, and abandoned Tunnels.

Meet Finsbury Park tube station at 6:30 main exit (Station Place exit near National Rail entrance). Finsbury Park has 3 exits so make sure you are at the correct exit.

We will be walking through a green corridor following the course of railway lines that once ran from Finsbury Park through Stroud Green, Crouch End, Highgate, and Muswell Hill to AllyPally.  It is London's longest Local Nature Reserve complete with bats, squirrels, wildflowers, butterflies, and even the occasional munjac deer.

Bentley Priory and 2 commons walk 6.5 miles
This walk takes in the glorious birchwoods of Harrow Weald and Stanmore Commons, and Bentley Priory, the 18th century mansion where the Battle of Britain was masterminded, with its deer park

Lunch will be at an unusually named pub:  The Case Is Altered  which does reasonably priced pub meals.  There is also the possibility of a coffee and cake at the end at one of the many coffee in Stanmore, possibly Browns Cafe (which has good reviews)

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Trips away in the next few months

We have about 20 trips away each year, both in the UK and abroad.  

These are non-commercial and are run at cost or occasionally subsidised.  This makes them incredibly cheap compared with holiday companies.  You normally have to be a member to get a place on a trip.

Lake District Buttermere, 4 nights, August
Full, waiting list in operation

Lake District Keswick, 3 nights, August
Full, waiting list in operation

Peak District, Edale, 4 nights,  August
Full, waiting list in operation

Champing weekend Fordwich (Kent) - walking, cycling, possibly canoeing, 1 night, September
Open for booking

Romanian mountains trip, 7 nights, September

Full, waiting list in operation

Shropshire Hills weekend, 2 nights, October

Open for booking

Cornwall coast, 4 nights, December/January

Bookings will open soon

Coastal Mountain Walking in Liguria, 6 nights, December/January

Full, waiting list in operation

Gulf of Poets, Liguria extension, 4 nights, January

Open for booking

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Champing in the ancient church of St Peter and Paul

Fourteen champers will soon be heading off to the ancient church of St Peter and Paul (mentioned in the Doomsday book) in private parkland on the banks of the river Tilling in Surrey. 

The church and Albury Park sits n the middle of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in some of southern England’s most spectacular and accessible countryside.

What is Champing?  

A portmanteau of camping and church.  'A unique opportunity to stay somewhere extraordinary.'

http://www.champing.co.uk/what-is-champing/

After arriving and leaving our stuff at the church, we will  do a lovely walk in the beautiful countryside, come back and get changed and head off for an evening meal at the the local pub and then an atmospheric evening and night in the church with electronic candles and atmospheric music (Gregorian Chants?).  

After breakfast we do another walk, returning at the end to collect our kit from the church then bus and train home.

Champing isn't cheap but the proceeds go the Churches Conservation Trust so we will be helping preserve and protect these special ancient buildings.

Liguria walking adventure over New Year

We are off to warmer climes again, this time to the Italian Riviera which has a mild climate where you can go walking all year round.

NB Don't book flights unless we confirm you have a place.

Portofino Natural Park
We will be walking in and around the Portofino Natural Park (a nature reserve since 1935) crisscrossed by ancient mule trails, with coastal mountains which plunge down to the sea, a thousand year old monastery in a secluded bay with no roads and a massive 13th century Torre Doria that towers above the bay.

Coastal walks in the 'Little Cinque Terre' (Levanto to Moneglia)
NB We won't be visiting the main Cinque Terre on this trip as that is a tourist hotspot and should only be visited completely out of season. Instead we will be walking in the 'Little Cinque Terre', a largely unspoilt mountain landscape with lovely old villages and beautiful coastal mountain trails without the crowds of the five villages further south.

La Spezia Bay - the Gulf of Poets
In the 19th and early 20th century, writers and poets such a Byron, Shelley, Keats and Lawrence fled the cold dark winters of northern Europe for this wide bay between two promontories. Since then, La Spezia town has become the second largest town in Liguria and is busy and bustling with a large naval base, but the two green promontories on either side have kept their Mediterranean charm with old towns and villages and lovely coastal walks.

Details;
Flights: Easyjet to Pisa. It is also possible to fly to Genoa depending on dates.

Where we are staying
We have booked a plush villa with 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms with private garden and all mod cons in Santa Margherita which is walking distance from the Portofino National Park.

During this part of the trip we will walking in the Portofino Park and the 'Little Cinque Terre' (not the main Cinque Terre as that will be too crowded at this time).

Assuming everyone shares a twin, this part works out at just over 30 Euros per person per night for 6 nights from 29th December to 4th January.

The Gulf of Poets part will be an optional extension to the trip and we will be staying in reasonably priced hotels in Sarzana (fortresses and churches), which works out around £25 to £30 per night if you share a room (more if you have a single)

The Gulf of Poets extension is 4 days (from 4th January to 8th January). It may be possible to come just for the extension.

At present the flights are reasonably cheap - we paid just over £80 return (included a shared checked bag).

Transport
Buses and trains. Cars are not very useful in this area.

Rainy weather/rest day options
Genoa, La Spezia, Sarzana or Pisa.

Maximum number of places for the main part of the trip is 10. Numbers might be more flexible for the extension.

Mountain walking in the Carpathians this September

We are off to the southern Carpathians in Romania this September. 

Spectacular mountain walking, exploring Transylvanian castles plus some time to explore Bucharest. Only a couple of places left on this trip....

For full details of our forthcoming trips away see our events calendar.  

We have around four to eight outdoor and social events every week and around twenty trips away every year.  As a not for profit (all volunteer) club, our events are either free or run at cost or occasionally subsidised.  For more information see About us.   

Considering joining us?   You can come on up to three events to try us out first.  However, in order to get a place on one you our trips, you normally have to be a member.  

Feel free to browse the rest of our website or take a look at photos from recent events

What we did last year: Walking, cycling and exploring...

Coastal walking in the Cote D Azure

Nice and Cote D Azure Xmas/New Year trip

Based in Nice, we went walking along the coast and up in the hills, explored medieval vilages, ruined forts and amazing scenery in the process.

Cycling and walking weekend in Norfok

North Norfolk coast, 20-22 March 2015
We stayed in the independent Granary hostel at Deepdale Farm in Brancaster and enjoyed some of Britain’s most beautiful beaches.  We went walking along scenic coastal paths and cycling on the quiet scenic roads

Pembrokeshire coast walking trip 

Pembrokeshire coast, 1-8 April 2015 
A week in Easter following the spectacular Pembrokeshire coastline for 60 miles from St David’s to Cardigan

Walking in the Lake District nr Keswick

Lake District – Keswick,  2-7 April 2015 

Keswick is a super base for Lakeland walking with interesting ridge and valley routes as well as mountain hiking. The weather on the trip was warm and sunny.

Walkiing in theYorkshire Dales May Bank Holiday

Yorkshire Dales, 1-5 May 2015
We were based at the Old School Bunkhouse in Chapel-le-Dale, close to Ribblehead station and viaduct on the Settle-Carlisle line, one of the world’s most scenic railway routes

Amsterdam city break, May 1-5 2015

A city break where we booked our own accommodation and travel.  A few cloggies enjoyed Amsterdam canals, culture and the lively nightlife

Cotswolds cycling trip 

Cotswold cycling trip, 22-25 May 2015
We enjoyed cycling along Cotswold country lanes staying at Stow on the Wold YHA and Oxford B&Bs

Walking in Saxon Switzerland

Leipzig and Dresden, 13-20 June 2015

A three-centre holiday in eastern Germany combining city sightseeing in Saxony’s finest cities, Leipzig and Desden followed by two days’ walking in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, a popular and picturesque national park area which is also known as Saxon Switzerland.

Walking in the Lake District near Grasmere

Lake District – Grasmere, 19-24 June 2015
We stayed at YHA Butharlyp Howe, close to the centre of Grasmere. Nearby are Helvellyn and the Langdale Pikes, with low-level walking around Grasmere and Ambleside

Walking along the Dorset Coast

Dorset coast- Weymouth, 10-13 July 2015
We had three nights for the cost of two staying in a seven bedroom house in the centre of Weymouth.  Long walks exploring Dorset’s magnificent Jurassic coast with its many geological wonders such as the arch at Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and Chesil Beach

Sea kayaking in Chichester Harbour

Chichester, sea kayakng, walking and cycling

On sea kayaks, we explored the mudflats and got close to wading birds and there were great views of the harbour, buildings, and boats.  On the following day there was a choice of cycling or walking.

Coastal walks in Robin Hoods Bay

North York Moors, 26-31 August 2015
We stayed at The Old School House, a hostel in the picturesque fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay. We enjoyed a selection of walks on moorland and coast as well as cycling along the disused railway between Whitby and Scarborough

Mountain walking in the Bernese Oberland

Switzerland Bernese Oberland, 10-14 Sept 2015

We backpacked with our luggage whilst walking up the mountains of Switzerland on the side of the Eiger admiring the wonderful scenery and staying in some unique places

Horse riding in the Black Mountains

Black Mountains, 16-18 October 2015
For this weekend in Wales, we stayed in Brecon Bunkhouse in the Black Mountains. The area provided fantastic hiking opportunities, whilst some did canoeing and horse riding.

Walking in Northumberland in December

Northumberland- Alnwick, 29 Dec 2015-3 Jan 2016
 A record 29 members stayed at this four-star YHA hostel in the centre of Alnwick and 9 stayed in B&Bs. Varied winter walk options in the surrounding area included Northumberland’s magnificent coastline, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and the Cheviot Hills.

Trips away planned for 2016

We are always off somewhere!

Our frequent active trips away in the UK and abroad are all organised by and for members, and are run at cost.  Here is what is currently planned for this year.

Volcano Island trip, walks and sightseeing January

Cabo de Gata, walking and mountain biking, February

Cornwall Coast Easter walking trip, March

Howgill Fells, Easter walking trip, March

Narrowboating, Peak District, April

Forest of Dean and Wye Valley walking trip, May

Copenhagen, May

Lake District, walking trip June

Cycling round Lake Constance June

Sea kayaking, cycling and walking weekend, Chichester, July

Dorset Coast walking and other activities July

Champing weekend, Surrey, August

Edale walking weekend, August

Shropshire walking weekend, October

Landsend trip, December

Amberley to Arundel New Members Walk

I am leading a walk from Amberley to Arundel on the 23rd April. This is a pretty 9 mile walk following the South Downs Way in the morning followed by a river walk after lunch. Take the 9.36 from London Victoria to Amberley on Saturday morning and bring a picnic lunch to have on the Downs enjoying the view. After lunch we descend to the George and Dragon pub for a leisurely stop and some refreshments. From here we continue along the river to Arundel. Arundel has a number of good pubs and restaurants for a few beers with anyone so inclined. Sudip

New Members’ Social Evening on Thursday 14th April

We will be holding a new members' social evening on Thursday 14^th April starting 7.30pm at Hashomer House, 37a Broadhurst Gardens (just around the corner from Finchley Road station on the Jubilee and Metropolitan lines).  

Come to find out more about CLOG's active programme including day walks, weekends away, social events, other activities and longer trips both in the UK and overseas. If you love the countryside as much as we do, why not come and join us? Visitors, prospective members and existing members and friends very welcome!

To reach Hashomer House turn right out of Finchley Road tube station and immediately right into Canfield Gardens, and right again into Broadhurst Gardens – Hashomer House is three minutes' walk further on the left hand side, accessed through a gate and passage.  

Go with the Flow - Evening Walks for 2016

You can lead a horse to water.....or maybe to Sadler’s Wells. So to follow last summer’s horse-drawn London walks, there will be a series of evening walks on the theme of water in London: water for life and water for pleasure. Geology, engineering and entertainment as we take in the remains and sites of London’s watery history, and the more decorative water features of today. Expect to hear about and see most of aqueducts, reservoirs, springs, wells, spas, public baths, water towers, fountains, watergates, pumps and pumping stations, lost and new rivers. Learn about cholera and epidemiology – presume the first time that word has made it into a Clog email. Discover where free water was dispensed outside Tesco’s. Enjoy the lavish Victorian architecture of the water industry. Learn about the protectionist behaviour of the Honourable Company of Water Tankard Bearers. See the Devil’s Conduit. A word to manage expectations. Apart from the New River, most of these walks won’t follow riversides. Much of London’s water history has been buried or replaced as water supply has become safer over the years. So sometimes there’s not much to see but the stories are worth hearing. The leader will bring along some old pictures and maps of how things were. But he will also try to include other London ephemera on some of the routes – Charlie Chaplin’s garden, a former Catholic friary, the Cinema Museum in a workhouse...... The detailed programme is still to be finalised but will include: Tuesday 26 April - Water in the City: London’s first lost river Thursday 21 April - Chelsea Waterworks – from reservoir to source Wednesday 4 May - Streatham Wells and around The 17th century New River Backwaters of Lambeth Wells, Spas and Reservoirs of Hampstead All dates are provisional at this stage; dates for the others will follow later. The leader will send out more details of the first walk before Easter. A few other possibilities are being researched and he will schedule these later in the summer. Woodberry Wetlands is scheduled to open in the spring; if it’s open in the evening we will try to visit. Currently there are no plans for water polo, tap dancing or similar events but the year is yet young....

Getting away walking at Easter

Not long to Easter now and many of us will be heading out of London on one of our two Easter trips: 

Cornwall Coast

There’s a certain magic about Devon and Cornwall at this time of year. Whether on the coast, in the estuaries or the deeply incised river valleys, this is a special place, hillier than further east, a contorted landscape designed for travel by boat or on foot. There is a rich history of occupation, from iron age forts, to picturesque fishing villages, to huge naval facilities, to today’s tourist business.

Water is everywhere. Walk on water at a tidal crossing; listen to a geyser that spouts every 15 minutes, flag down a train at GWR’s St Keyne Wishing Well Halt. Around Plymouth the landscape is of rias, flooded valleys which extend in many directions from the harbour. We will cross the Tamar by road, and by Brunel’s bridge. We spend time in Looe where two rivers meet the coast. All being well with tide and time, we intend to do a boat trip to a small nature reserve island on our last day.

Kirby Stephen

Kirkby Stephen is in the historic county of Westmorland, quite near the historic capital of Appleby. There are beautiful walks on the Cumbrian moors, the Eden valley, the nearby Howgill Fells, with the Pennines about five miles away.  It is located between the North Pennines AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and the Lake District National Park.

The hostel is in the town, near pubs and shops and 1.5 miles walk from the Kirkby Stephen railway station on the scenic Settle to Carlisle line. The local walks include part of Wainwright's coast to coast route.  With a car, it is possible to drive to the Eastern Lakes District, which is relatively unexplored. Cross Fell at 2,930 feet (893 m) is accessible by a short car journey and is the highest English peak outside the Lake District. In fact, it is higher than many of the peaks in the Lake District, and will be a considerable effort to ascend, should you choose to climb it. It often has snow in March

Trips away planned so far in 2016

Volcano Island trip January 2016

Cabo de Gata walking and mountain biking, February 2016

Cornwall Coast Easter trip, March 2016

Howgill Fells, Easter trip, March 2016

Narrowboating, Peak District, April 2016

Forest of Dean and Wye valley, May 2016

Lake District June 2016

Cycling round Lake Constance June 2016

Sea kayaking, cycling and walking weekend, Chichester, July 2016

Dorset Coast July 2016

Champing weekend, Surrey, August 2016

Trips away planned so far in 2016

Volcano Island trip January 2016

Cabo de Gata walking and mountain biking, February 2016

Cornwall Coast Easter trip, March 2016

Howgill Fells, Easter trip, March 2016

Narrowboating, Peak District, April 2016

Forest of Dean and Wye valley, May 2016

Lake District June 2016

Cycling round Lake Constance June 2016

Sea kayaking, cycling and walking weekend, Chichester, July 2016

Dorset Coast July 2016

Champing weekend, Surrey, August 2016

Our New website

Can be found at:

http://www.clog.org.uk/

This social media hub will be discontinued as the new website contains feeds to our social media as well as acting as our main website.