Outdooraholics London, Hiking & Adventure Travel 25 to 49ish

This hike is based mainly within the Royal Windsor Great Park and is a gorgeous hike with some history too plus we get to admire Windsor Castle - the largest inhabited castle in the world dating back nearly 1000 years. We explore the King's park surrounding the castle and its stunning 5,000 acres - home to more than 500 deer, some dreamy lakes and picture postcard flower gardens.

We hike along one of the most well known images of the royal grounds - the iconic view down the tree lined Long Walk towards Windsor Castle. Add to this sweeping deer lawns, ancient oak trees, far reaching hill views (you can see central London), tranquil rivers, several lakes and ponds and of course the enchanting flower gardens.

This is a hike we ONLY host in late April/early May - either month can be great for seeing Spring in and the stunning colours of the blossom and flowers.

Please note, this is less rural than our usual hikes and is based entirely within a landscaped Royal Park, often on tarmac tracks.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pass the mighty and ancient Windsor Castle
• Explore the exquisite Windsor Great Park home to magnificent ponds, lakes and a deer park
• Discover the spectacular 17th century architecture of Cumberland Lodge
• See the picturesque Virginia Waters Lake - designed to serve as a royal pleasure ground
• Experience the iconic views of “the Long Walk” towards Windsor Castle, where the funeral procession carriage entered Windsor Castle

HIKE DESCRIPTION

Our royal exploration begins in the town of Windsor as we hike right past the spectacular Windsor Castle. We then head along the tree lined 'Long Walk' in the Royal Estate's Windsor Great Park towards the 17th century Cumberland Lodge. The park is full of ancient houses and mansions which act as Grace and Favour homes for members of the family or loyal supporters.

A stroll through a forest then takes us to Obelisk Pond and Wick Pond and and on towards Virginia Water - a stunning lake originally created as a Royal pleasure ground. It is here that we discover the magnificent flowers and blossom of Spring.

Our way back takes us through the deer park and back onto the suitably named “Long Walk” offering truly iconic views towards the castle. We hike along the spectacular mile long tree lined avenue back to Windsor Castle.

MEETING POINT

We venture to Kent again and this hike perfectly illustrates why it's known as the "Garden of England". We visit the village of Otford which dates back over 3000 years and two other villages. A delightful rural hike which amongst other things takes us past two castles – Eynsford Castle and Lullingstone Castle and along a stretch of the picturesque River Darent.

We hike the Darent Valley Path alongside the River Darent and through the tranquil Kent fields and ancient wood. The area’s beauty attracted the Romans to settle here and in 80 AD Lullingstone Villa was constructed for a wealthy Roman who was keen on pagan worship.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pass the magnificent Lullingstone Castle
• Hike along a delightful stretch of the Darent Valley Path
• Pass the site of the ruins of Lullingstone Roman Villa with its pagan history
• Hike through the picturesque Lullingstone Country Park
• Visit the remains Eynsford Castle
• Explore 3 charming Kentish villages
• Hike through the 22 metre high Eynsford Rail Viaduct with its nine red brick arches

HIKE DESCRIPTION

We start from the picturesque village of Otford, occupied for at least 3000 years. Through the centuries Otford has been home to Iron Age farmers, Romans, Royalty and Archbishops. Our hike takes us through the tranquil woods and grasslands of the Kentish countryside reaching the quaint Shoreham town where the Darent Valley Path takes us to the magnificent Lullingstone Country Park. The park is internationally important due to its collection of ancient trees including beech, ash, oak, sweet chestnut and hornbeam some of which are believed to be 800 years old.

We reach Lullingstone Castle to admire its tranquil lake before we pass the historical Lullingstone Roman Villa - one of the few Roman estate survivals in Britain whose construction began in about 100 AD.

From there, our hike continues among the rolling fields of Kent which reward with views towards the 9 arched Eynsford Rail Viaduct. Reaching the tranquil village of Eynsford, we explore the remains of Eynsford Castle - a medieval fortification built in 1088 and we finish our hike with a stroll along the lovely village.

MEETING POINT

This hike is based mainly within the Royal Windsor Great Park and is a gorgeous hike with some history too plus we get to admire Windsor Castle - the largest inhabited castle in the world dating back nearly 1000 years. We explore the King's park surrounding the castle and its stunning 5,000 acres - home to more than 500 deer, some dreamy lakes and picture postcard flower gardens.

We hike along one of the most well known images of the royal grounds - the iconic view down the tree lined Long Walk towards Windsor Castle. Add to this sweeping deer lawns, ancient oak trees, far reaching hill views (you can see central London), tranquil rivers, several lakes and ponds and of course the enchanting flower gardens.

This is a hike we ONLY host in late April/early May - either month can be great for seeing Spring in and the stunning colours of the blossom and flowers.

Please note, this is less rural than our usual hikes and is based entirely within a landscaped Royal Park, often on tarmac tracks.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pass the mighty and ancient Windsor Castle
• Explore the exquisite Windsor Great Park home to magnificent ponds, lakes and a deer park
• Discover the spectacular 17th century architecture of Cumberland Lodge
• See the picturesque Virginia Waters Lake - designed to serve as a royal pleasure ground
• Experience the iconic views of “the Long Walk” towards Windsor Castle, where the funeral procession carriage entered Windsor Castle

HIKE DESCRIPTION

Our royal exploration begins in the town of Windsor as we hike right past the spectacular Windsor Castle. We then head along the tree lined 'Long Walk' in the Royal Estate's Windsor Great Park towards the 17th century Cumberland Lodge. The park is full of ancient houses and mansions which act as Grace and Favour homes for members of the family or loyal supporters.

A stroll through a forest then takes us to Obelisk Pond and Wick Pond and and on towards Virginia Water - a stunning lake originally created as a Royal pleasure ground. It is here that we discover the magnificent flowers and blossom of Spring.

Our way back takes us through the deer park and back onto the suitably named “Long Walk” offering truly iconic views towards the castle. We hike along the spectacular mile long tree lined avenue back to Windsor Castle.

MEETING POINT

Come and join us for a gorgeous hike across the elevated chalk ridge of the South Downs hills on a route from Hassocks to Lewes. We are travelling so far from London, we are able to see the coast from parts of this ridge hike.

If you enjoy rolling hills, panoramic views stretching to the sea, rivers, windmills, Iron Age hill forts, and picturesque trails through beautiful rural Sussex, you have just found the perfect hike. We triumphantly finish our hike by passing through the striking gateway of Lewes Castle as we enter the ancient market town. To complete the day, we visit a pub for our usual end of hike refreshments.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a superb elevated ridge hike with far reaching panoramic views
• See the 200 year old Clayton windmills Jack and Jill
• Conquer Ditchling Beacon (248m) - the third highest point in south east England that was the site of an Iron Age hill fort
• Visit the ancient and well preserved market town of Lewes
• Hike through the Castle Gate in Lewes - the castle originally built by William the Conqueror in 1069 after his invasion of Britain
• Hike in the South Downs - one of the best National Parks in the south of England

HIKE DESCRIPTION

Our route takes us up onto the South Downs ridge past Jack and Jill - two well preserved windmills. Jack is the only "male" windmill in the UK (all others being considered female) and Jill was originally built in Brighton and moved by a team of horses and oxen and is still used to grind corn. Step by step we reach a dramatic panoramic view stretching to the English Channel, with Brighton perching gently in the foreground on the coast.

Our adventure continues further along the northern edge of the South Downs with superb views inland until we reach Ditchling Beacon. The latter was the site of an Iron Age hill fort and is the third highest point in the South East of England at 248m and consequently has fabulous views across the Weald up to the North Downs Way and the edge of London. It was also the location of one of the Beacons that warned of the Spanish Armada in 1588. After a couple more peaks we drop down to follow the River Ouse into Lewes. We are welcomed into the old part of the town by a dramatic hike through the Castle Gate - the castle originally built by William the Conqueror in 1069 after his invasion of Britain.

MEETING POINT