When: September 15th 2024
Where: Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire
Course: Flatish circuit of south of town from Pages Park to the Grand Union. Mix of trail and pavement
Other routes touched: Grand Union Canal Towpath, Two Ridges Link
Finish time: 56 minutes 57 seconds
Where the Basingstoke Canal meets the Wey Navigation at New Haw
Start: Greywell Tunnel, 134 Hook Road, Greywell, Hook, RG29 1BY
Finish: Thames Towpath parking, 91 Thames St, Weybridge, KT13 8LR
Distance: 55.6 km (34.5 miles)
Elevation change: +246m / -318m. Net -72m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Three Castles Path, Blackwater Valley Path, River Wey Navigation Path, Locks and Levels,
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 221, 223, 4,
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Fox and Goose at the start. Several just off-route but we stopped in Fleet (16 km in) and Woking (43.5 km in) and The Old Crown near the end.
Maps:
- Basingstoke, Alton & Whitchurch Map | Odiham, Overton & Hook | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 144
- Guildford & Farnham Map | Godalming & Farnborough | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 145
- Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell Map | Thames Path | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 160
Links: Basingstoke Canal, Greywell, Greywell Tunnel, Odiham Castle, Fleet, Woking, Aldershot, Mytchett, River Wey Navigation, River Wey
The Basingstoke Canal is a navigable waterway that runs through Hampshire and Surrey. Originally built in the late 18th century to transport goods between Basingstoke and the Thames, the canal fell into disuse in the mid-20th century. The first 10 km from Basingstoke to the Greywell Tunnel is either completely lost or unnavigable. Most of the eastern side of the canal after is navigable albeit the first couple of km only suitable for canoes and paddleboards.
We completed the full length of the canal in 2 sections. The first section was a walk of the “lost” part from Basingstoke to Greywell and the section section a tow-path cycle ride from Greywell to the Thames. See my previous post for the first section and read on for part 2.
The first point of interest is only 1 km into the ride. On the left hand side of the path you’ll find the ruins of Odiham Castle, build in the early 1200s for King John. I had already visited it on a Three Castles Path walk a few years ago but it had a bit of restoration work since then.
Our trip was on a misty late-summer Sunday morning which made for a very pleasant quiet ride along the misty canal. Cycling in this direction shows the gradual increase of its use from overgrown and empty at Greywell to an active use at Woking. The canal takes it’s time to get to the Thames, meandering around the contours on a consistent level at the start before a much straighter and steeper descent at the end.
Navigation is super-simple (just stick to the tow-path) and there’s lots of options just off the path for food stops. We stopped at Fleet and Woking, both big towns, although there’s other choices if you keep an eye on the map.
The Basingstoke Canal ends at Woodham Junction near Byfleet and New Haw railway station. Here the canal joins the Wey Navigation and its where the Waterloo to Basingstoke railway line crosses under the M25. This is an obvious place to stop if you just want to complete the Basingstoke Canal and you also have the option here to return to Basingstoke by train.
We weren’t done yet though as we wanted to reach the Thames. We crossed the small bridge over the Wey Navigation and took a left to follow the towpath on the eastern side toward Weybridge. The Wey Navigation meets the River Wey 4km north of Woodham Junction. Keep to the towpath on the western edge of the Wey Navigation to the end point at the confluence of the Wey and the Thames.
Brick Kiln Bridge - Blackstocks Lane
Start: Festival Place, Church Street, Basingstoke, RG21 7LJ
Finish: Greywell Tunnel, 134 Hook Road, Greywell, Hook, RG29 1BY
Distance: 9.8 km (6.1 miles)
Elevation change: + 94m / -91m. Net +3m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Three Castles Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 23
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots at the start at Festival Place, plus The Hatch (4.1 km in) and The Fox and Goose at the end.
Map: Basingstoke, Alton & Whitchurch Map | Odiham, Overton & Hook | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 144
Links: Basingstoke Canal, Basingstoke, Old Basing, Up Nately, Greywell, Greywell Tunnel
The Basingstoke Canal is a navigable waterway that runs through Hampshire and Surrey. Originally built in the late 18th century to transport goods between Basingstoke and the Thames, the canal fell into disuse in the mid-20th century. The first 10 km from Basingstoke to the Greywell Tunnel is either completely lost or unnavigable. Most of the eastern side of the canal after is navigable albeit the first couple of km only suitable for canoes and paddleboards.
We completed the full length of the canal in 2 sections. The first section was a walk of the “lost” part from Basingstoke to Greywell and the section section a tow-path cycle ride from Greywell to the Thames.
The start is very easy to get to as the original Basingstoke Basin was under what is now the bus station at the Festival Place Shopping Centre. There’s also a large car park and the train station is also closeby. Start at the Festival Place food court on the eastern side of the shopping centre and take the path under Festival Way into Eastrop Park. You’ll soon be walking next to one of the branches of the River Loddon which the canal used to track for some of its length. Continue through the park, passing under the A339 bridge and into open fields until you meet Redbridge Lane. This is named after the, now buried, Red Bridge which is the first visible sign of the old canal. Take a left onto Redbridge Lane then a right into a small car park where you can continue east on a path parallel to Redbridge Lane, then through Basingstoke Common to Crown Lane.
Take a right onto Crown Lane, then onto Hatch Lane and follow it to the junction with the A30 at the Hatch Pub. This is a good place to stop for a rest and a drink before the final section. After the Hatch cross over the Lyde River and through a small industrial estate to cross over the M3 on a pedestrian bridge. The next 3 km meander through small country lanes and paths to reach Greywell Road near Up Nately. After Greywell Road you’ll be walking next to the canal with water in it for the first time. After ~800m you can take short diversion up the Nately Brickworks Arm. Per Wikipedia: “Bricks from Up Nately were also supplied to local builders in towns along the Canal and accounted for half of the traffic in bricks using the canal. To fire the kiln, about fifty tons of coal per week were supplied by barge from Basingstoke”. The brickworks are long gone and replace by large canal-side houses.
Return to the main course of the canal and continue east for just under 1 km to the entrance of Greywell Tunnel. It’s now gated off to protect the bats who now call it home. Cross over the top of the tunnel entrance to the southern side to pick up a footpath that runs parallel to the route of the tunnel. The path ends at Hook Road in-between the eastern portal of the tunnel and the Fox and Goose pub.
House Mill
Start: Canary Wharf Station, Canada Square, London, E14 5AB
Finish: Bethnal Green Underground Station, Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, London, E2 0ET
Distance: 10.6 km (6.6 miles)
Elevation change: + 58m / -53m. Net -5m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Greenwich Meridian Trail, Lee Valley Walk, Jubilee Greenway, Capital Ring, London to Walsingham Camino, Regents Canal Towpath
Other routes touched (cycle): Prime Meridian Cycle Route, NCN 1, 13, C2
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several at the Start and End at Canary Wharf and Bethnal Green. Also the Cafe at House Mill (5.1 km in) and several at the junction of the Lee Navigation and Hertford Canal (7.3 km in)
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173
Links: Canary Wharf, Limehouse Basin, Limehouse Cut, Bow Locks, Lee Navigation, House Mill, Hertford Union Canal, Regent’s Canal, Bethnal Green
This is a short, flat and interesting canal-side walk in the east of London. For us it was an epilog to the Regent’s Canal walk that we completed the previous year as it takes in 2 short canals that both intersect with the eastern end of the Regent’s. We started the walk from Canary Wharf Elizabeth Line Station but if you want to shorten it by 2 km you could also start from Limehouse DLR Station.
From Canary Wharf walk in a westerly direction across Cabot Square and Westferry Circus to the north bank of the river Thames. Take a right and follow the Thames Path to Limehouse Basin. Take a right into the basin, keeping to the eastern edge of the marina until you get to the Limehouse Cut.
The Limehouse Cut was constructed in the early 19th century to relieve congestion on the River Thames and provide a more direct route for barges carrying goods to and from the city. The Cut is just over 2km and, initially straight then turns in a curve to Bow Locks, where the Lee Navigation meets Bow Creek. On this walk you’ll follow the path between the Lee Navigation and Bow Creek to reach House Mill at the entrance Three Mills Island. The House Mill is the largest tidal mill standing in Britain and and has a small exhibition and cafe if you’re ready for a rest at this half-way point in the walk.
After House Mill cross over to the western side of the Lee Navigation and continue north along the towpath. You’ll pass through some derelict post-industrial land in various stages of redevelopment before reaching the Olympic Park. Here you’ll find several canal-side options for food, all of which were too busy when we arrived on a Saturday afternoon.
Cross over to the western side of the canal at White Post Lane, take left then a right onto the Hertford Union Canal. The Hertford Union was built to transport goods between Hertford and London, connecting the Lee Navigation to the Regent’s Canal. It’s just over a mile long an passes between Victoria Park on the northern side and housing on the south.
When you reach the Regent’s Canal, take a left and walk south for 200m then cross over the Roman Road Bridge. Follow Roman Road for 1km to the end of the walk at Bethnal Green Underground Station.
Margate Beach
This was a 2-day weekend cycle adventure on the NCN 1 and 15 in Kent. For Brian and I it was a continuation of the Thames Barrier to Margate trip that we did earlier in the year. This time we returned to Whitstable to pick up the NCN 15 to follow it to the end at Dover. For day 2 we followed the NCN 1 back to Whitstable. At 145 km and mostly flat it’s an easy ride giving more than enough time for coffee and cake stops along the way.
Start: Premier Inn Whitstable hotel, Thanet Way, Whitstable, CT5 3DB
Finish: Premier Inn Dover Central (Eastern Ferry Terminal) hotel, Marine Court, Marine Parade, Dover, CT16 1LW
Distance: 79.5 km (49 miles)
Elevation change: + 554m / -602m (Net -48)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): England Coast Path, Saxon Shore Way, Oyster Bay Trail, Wantsum Walk, Augustine Camino, Stonelees Trail, Miner’s Way Trail, Via Francigena
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 15: Viking Coastal Trail, NCN 16, EV5,
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots, but we stopped at Westgate-on-Sea, Whitfield and Sandwich.
Maps:
- Canterbury & Isle of Thanet Map | Herne Bay, Deal & Whitstable | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 150
- Dover, Folkestone & Hythe Map | England Coast Path | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 138
Links: Whitstable, Herne Bay, Reculver, Westgate-on-Sea, Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Sandwich, Whitfield, Dover
Our trip started at the Premier Inn on the southern edge of the town. From there it’s a 2.5 km cycle to the coast where, as it was Saturday, we stopped for Whitstable parkrun. The NCN 15 (not to be confused with the same numbered route in Leicestershire) runs from Whitstable to Dover, with the Reculver to Pegwell Bay section called the Viking Coastal Trail.
As it passes through several sea-side towns there’s lots of options to stop for food and drink along the way. We planned to stop for breakfast in Margate but hunger got the better of us so we stopped early at Westgate-on-Sea. At Pegwell Bay there’s an option to return to Whitstable via the inland section of the Viking Coastal Trail. That would make a great half-day trip, effectively a circuit of the Isle of Thanet, but we carried on south along the route 15.
After Pegwell Bay the route leaves the coast and heads in-land to Sandwich. We planned to have lunch there, mostly for the childish amusement of having a sandwich in Sandwich. We timed it badly though and arrived just as cafes were closing for the afternoon and the pubs were packed. As we were retuning there the next day we grabbed some quick food and moved on.
After Sandwich the route continues south, gradually climbing in elevation to the highest point of the day at Dover Castle. After this there’s a steep descent to Dover town centre where we stayed the night at the Marina.
Start: Premier Inn Dover Central (Eastern Ferry Terminal) hotel, Marine Court, Marine Parade, Dover, CT16 1LW
Finish: Premier Inn Whitstable hotel, Thanet Way, Whitstable, CT5 3DB
Distance: 64.7 km (40 miles)
Elevation change: - 554m / +602m (Net +48)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): England Coast Path, Saxon Shore Way, Stour Valley Walk, Augustine Camino, Canterbury Middle Ring Walk, Canterbury Outer Ring Walk, Crab & Winkle Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 1, NCN 15: Viking Coastal Trail
OS Trig Pillar: TP5672 - Richborough Hill
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots, but we stopped at Walmer, Sandwich, Fordwich and Canterbury
Maps:
- Canterbury & Isle of Thanet Map | Herne Bay, Deal & Whitstable | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 150
- Dover, Folkestone & Hythe Map | England Coast Path | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 138
Links: Dover, White Cliffs of Dover National Trust, Walmer Sandwich, Fordwich, Canterbury, Canterbury and Whitstable Railway, Whitstable
For our return leg to Whitstable we followed the NCN 1, completing the London to Dover section that we started in our trip earlier in the year. The first section is very steep and follows a narrow path up to the top of the White Cliffs of Dover. We were an hour away from fully waking up so made the easy choice to slowly walk the bikes up the cliffs. From the top there were great views over the Channel and back to Dover Castle while we recovered from the climb.
From the top the route has an 8 km steady downhill section to the coast at Kingsdown to make up for the earlier climb. This coastal section was one of my favourite parts of the 2-dy trip with its mix of quiet country lanes and easy riding along the sea-front. We were not in a rush so decided to maximise the coffee and cake stops with the first one at Walmer. Stop #2 was in Sandwich where we had a lot more success than the previous day with cafes actually being open and wanting to sell us food.
The middle section from Sandwich to Canterbury was flat and pleasant but not particularly memorable. We pushed on to Canterbury for a long lunch near the Cathedral. The final section from Canterbury was far more interesting as it mostly follows a disused railway nicknamed the Crab and Winkle line.
This was a very easy weekend, both from a logistics and a cycling perspective. If you don’t have a hole weekend then it can be split into 2 shorter circles with Sandwich as the split.
Day 1 in blue, Day 2 in red
Dotting the UK's National Cycle Network are over 1,000 unique markers known as the Millennium Mileposts. Unveiled in 2000, these cast-iron sculptures are more than just waymarkers. Designed by four artists, one from each nation of the UK, they celebrate the diversity of the cycling routes. These artistic mileposts come in various shapes and can be found in both bustling towns and scenic landscapes, adding a touch of artistic charm to a cycling adventure.
Here’s the 21 Mileposts that I spotted on the 2 day cycle trip. The first 2 were on the Viking Coastal Trail on Day 1 and the rest were on the NCN 1 on Day 2.
The West Midlands, a Ceremonial County in the heart of England, was formed ass result of a series of political and administrative changes that took place over centuries. Before the creation of the West Midlands, the region was divided into Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, The Local Government Act of 1974 marked a significant turning point in the history of the West Midlands. This legislation abolished the existing county boundaries and created a new county, the West Midlands. Today the 7 sub-divisions of the West Midlands are Metropolitan Boroughs.
For county-top hill-baggers, the region is, be honest, not very interesting. There’s a few good views but they’re mostly drive-bys in areas you’re not likely to go to unless you lived there or had an obscure hill-bagging obsession. If you’re in the latter camp, here’s a guide to the high points of the West Midlands. Click on the Blog Post link for each summit shown below for details on each.
Highest Point: Rednall Hill North Top, 250m
Historic County of High Point: Worcestershire (of which Worcestershire Beacon is the County Top)
OS Trig Pillar: N/A, nearest is TP4411 - Lickey Hill
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia (Birmingham), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Flag shown is the official flag of Birmingham
Highest Point: Corley Moor, 167m
Historic County of High Point: Warwickshire (of which Ebrington Hill is the County Top)
OS Trig Pillar: N/A, nearest is TP2413 - Corley Resr
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia (Coventry), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Flag shown is the official flag of Coventry
Highest Point: Cawney Hill, 251m
Historic County of High Point: Staffordshire (of which Cheeks Hill is the County Top)
OS Trig Pillar: N/A, nearest is TP1060 - Barrow Hill
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia (Dudley), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Flag shown is the work of Andy Underscore
Highest Point: Turner’s Hill, 271m
Historic County of High Point: Staffordshire (of which Cheeks Hill is the County Top)
OS Trig Pillar: N/A, nearest is TP6743 - Warley Resr
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia (Sandwell, Turner’s Hill), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Flag shown is the work of Andy Underscore
Highest Point: Meigh’s Wood, 185m
Historic County of High Point: Warwickshire (of which Ebrington Hill is the County Top)
OS Trig Pillar: N/A, nearest is TP3975 - Hollyberry End
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia (Solihull), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Flag shown is the work of jet_man1990
Highest Point: Barr Beacon, 227m
Historic County of High Point: Staffordshire (of which Cheeks Hill is the County Top)
OS Trig Pillar: TP1049 - Barr Beacon Resr
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia (Walsall, Barr Beacon), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Flag shown is the work of Andy Underscore
Highest Point: Sedgley Beacon, 235m
Historic County of High Point: Staffordshire (of which Cheeks Hill is the County Top)
OS Trig Pillar: N/A, nearest is TP5243 - Orton Hill
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia (Wolverhampton, Beacon Hill), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Flag shown is the work of Andy Underscore
The Metropolitan Boroughs of West Midlands, with the highest points grouped by Historical County.
Note that not all of each Metropolitan Borough was fully inside each Historical County shown here.
View to Birmingham from Turner’s Hill
Significance: Metropolitan Borough High Point for Sandwell
Parent Peak: Walton Hill
Nearest Higher Neighbour: The Four Stones
Historic County: Staffordshire (of which Cheeks Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 271m
Date climbed: July 27th 2024
Coordinates: 52° 29' 46'' N, 2° 2' 57'' W
OS Trig Pillar: N/A, nearest is TP6743 - Warley Resr
Route Start / End: Dudley Golf Club, Turner's Hill, Rowley Regis, B65 9DP
Route Distance: 1.2 km (0.75 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 6m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Map: Wolverhampton & Dudley Map | Stourbridge & Kidderminster | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 219
Links: Wikipedia (Sandwell, Turner’s Hill), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
At 271m elevation, Turner’s Hill is the highest point in the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell and the West Midlands Ceremonial county. We’d had an afternoon of bagging the boring high points of other West Midlands UAs and saved the “big one” to the end. We parked at Dudley Golf Club although it’s probably for members only. It was late in the afternoon and a party was kicking off in the clubhouse so no-one seemed to notice.
From the Golf Club walk south down Turner’s Hill road until you get to the gates of the transmitter station. This is the furthest you can get to the summit on a public right of way. We managed to get a bit closer though, by re-tracing our steps back towards the club house and taking the footpath on the right. This passes the north edge of a field of horses where we found a hole in the fence where we could cross the field to get right up to the transmitter. It’s still not the absolute highest point but close enough for us. There’s also good views from the field.
Significance: Metropolitan Borough High Point for Dudley
Parent Peak: Walton Hill
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Turner’s Hill
Historic County: Staffordshire (of which Cheeks Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 251m
Date climbed: July 27th 2024
Coordinates: 52° 30' 19'' N, 2° 4' 14'' W
OS Trig Pillar: N/A, nearest is TP1060 - Barrow Hill
Route Start / End: On-street parking at Shirley Road, Dudley, DY2 7DH
Route Distance: <1 km (<1 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 5m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Map: Wolverhampton & Dudley Map | Stourbridge & Kidderminster | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 219
Links: Wikipedia (Dudley), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Cawney Hill is the high point of the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, within the Historic County of Staffordshire and Ceremonial County of West Midlands.
This was the dullest of an afternoon of dull high points in the West Midlands. It was the quickest one too as there’s free on-street parking a few metres from the “summit”. From the corner of Bennett’s Hill (road) and Shirley Road take follow the steps up the hill then take the footpath on the left heading north west. After a couple of metres take a right onto a small path that leads to a bench. Apparently this is the high point of Dudley but there appeared to be (inaccessible) higher ground further to east. Note that Hillbagging posts have the high point at the fence of the Cawney Hill transmitter compound at the end of East Street. Alternatively there’s the access road to the transmitter off Hilltop Road. All of these are at 251m elevation and, given the dullness of the area, I didn’t feel the need to bag all the possible points.
Also known as: Sedgley Beacon - East Slope
Significance: Metropolitan Borough High Point for Wolverhampton
Parent Peak: Walton Hill
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Cawney Hill
Historic County: Staffordshire (of which Cheeks Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 235m
Date climbed: July 27th 2024
Coordinates: 52° 32' 51'' N, 2° 6' 51'' W
OS Trig Pillar: N/A, nearest is TP5243 - Orton Hill
Route Start / End: Parking spot near 62 Beacon Ln, Sedgley, Dudley DY3 1NA
Route Distance: <1 km (<1 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 6m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Limestone Walk
Map: Wolverhampton & Dudley Map | Stourbridge & Kidderminster | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 219
Links: Wikipedia (Wolverhampton, Beacon Hill), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Sedgley Beacon is the high point of the Metropolitan Borough of Wolverhampton, within the Historic County of Staffordshire and Ceremonial County of West Midlands.
This is definitely one for the completists as you’re highly unlikely to visit this place unless you live there or are high-point bagging. We noted the line in the Wikipedia article: “By 2024, the area was being plagued with anti social behaviour, vandalism and car thefts.” and decided not to hang around. You can drive almost to Beacon Tower, however you need to park at the gates at the end of Beacon Lane and take the footpath for the final few metres. However, bagging the Beacon doesn’t mean that you’ve got the high point of Wolverhampton as the border with Dudley is on the other side of the tower. You can’t get to the actual Wolverhampton high point but you can get close if you walk or drive around the corner to the #38 Monument Lane, a small cul-de-sac off the main Monument Lane. There’s some metal railings at the end of the road where you could imagine a nice view.
Barr Beacon War Memorial
Significance: Metropolitan Borough High Point for Walsall
Parent Peak: Walton Hill
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Turner’s Hill
Historic County: Staffordshire (of which Cheeks Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 227m
Date climbed: July 27th 2024
Coordinates: 52° 34' 24'' N, 1° 54' 40'' W
Route Start / End: Parking at Beacon Road, Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 0QW
Route Distance: 0.8 km (0.5miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 4m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Beacon Way
OS Trig Pillar: TP1049 - Barr Beacon Resr
Map: Birmingham Map | Walsall, Solihull & Redditch | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 220
Links: Wikipedia (Walsall, Barr Beacon), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Barr Beacon is the high point of the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall, within the Historic County of Staffordshire and Ceremonial County of West Midlands.
After our Wrekin walk earlier in the day we got talking to a guy in a pub where we were having lunch. He overheard our conversation about the day’s hill-bagging and offered us some advice. For Barr Beacon his main advice was “don’t go there unless you want to have your car stolen” … and especially don’t go there at night. We couldn’t really tell if he was joking or not but we were definitely going to bag it and had no intention of going there at night anyway.
Barr Beacon is a high, narrow ridge with views to the east and west. There’s a large car park at the top and the summit, near the War Memorial, can be done in a few minutes. We got there early afternoon on a Saturday and, although there were some dodgy looking cars, there were also families around having picnics.
The OS Trig Pillar is a little further north from the high point and in private land protected by a metal fence. There’s a spot in the fence with a post missing to the right of the road where it curves down the hill. If you can find that you can squeeze through and climb through the hedge into the field to bag the pillar. It’s fairly unpleasant as you need to climb over some fly-tipped debris and avoid the tree that has been used as a toilet.
Having bagged the high point and Tig Pillar we were happy to see that our cars were still there.
Significance: National Landscape High Point for Cannock Chase
Parent Peak: Walton Hill
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Cawney Hill
Historic County: Staffordshire (of which Cheeks Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 242m
Date climbed: July 27th 2024
Coordinates: 52° 42' 49'' N, 1° 56' 15'' W
Route Start / End: Parking area for Castle Ring Scheduled Ancient Monument Holly Lane, WS15 4RN
Route Distance: >1 km (>1 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 10m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): E2 Hiking Trail Birmingham
Map: Cannock Chase & Chasewater Map | Stafford, Rugeley & Cannock | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 244
Links: Wikipedia (Cannock Chase, Castle Ring), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Castle Ring is an Iron Age hill fort and the highest point of the Cannock Chase National Landscape. I’ve heard that there’s a lot of great walking in Cannock Chase but that will need to wait for another day as we were on a mission to bag a lot of high points that day.
We did this as a quick drive-by with a 15 minute walk from the free car park. According to the coordinates in peakbagger the Cannock Chase high point is right in the centre of the ring. The man-made outer circle is higher so we walked round the top of it to the high point on the western edge. You can take a faint path through the vegetation to cross the centre, bag the high point and exit on the south-eastern side.
View to the toposcope and transmitter from the Trig Pillar
Significance: Unitary Authority High Point for Telford and The Wrekin
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Caer Caradoc Hill
Historic County: Shropshire (of which Brown Clee Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 407m
Date climbed: July 27th 2024
Coordinates: 52° 40' 9'' N, 2° 33' 5'' W
Route Start / End: The Wrekin Forest Glen Car Park, Little Wenlock, Telford, TF6 5AL
Route Distance: 7.2 km (4.5 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 307m
Subsidiary tops on route: Little Hill (232m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Telford T50, Shropshire Way
OS Trig Pillar: TP0712 - Wrekin
Map: Telford, Ironbridge & The Wrekin Map | Ironbridge Gorge | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 242
Links: Wikipedia (Telford and The Wrekin, The Wrekin), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
The Wrekin was the literal high point of a day of bagging High Points of the West Midlands. The rest were quick drive-bys in obscure and often dodgy areas so we made the most of the Wrekin trip to make it a circular rather than an out-and-back.
Like most people we started at The Wrekin Forest Glen Car Park. It gets full quickly in the summer but we were lucky and got a space. The annoying thing was that payment is only by credit card or via an app that I’d never seen before. The card machine wasn’t working and there was no mobile signal so we ended up having to pay on-line half-way up the ascent.
With parking drama out of the way we took the shortest route to the summit on the Telford 50 trail. We were there on a clear day so we got a great view at the top across to Wales on the western side and Staffordshire on the east. The summit has an OS trig pillar, a toposcope, a transmitter tower and the remains of an Iron Age fill fort.
From the top we continued walking south-west for another 1 km down to Little Hill. It was marked on the map so we thought we’d check it out but there was little to mark it and no view. Continuing another 20m we took a left onto a footpath, then another left to pick up a path that lead us back to the car-park on a lower level.
Worcester Bridge
Start & Finish: Worcester Bridge, New Road, Worcester, WR2 4RL
Distance: 7.4 km (4.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 32m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 46
Pubs / Cafes on route: Some shops on the A449 but better to eat in Worcester City Centre at start and end
Map: Worcester & Droitwich Spa Map | Severn Way | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 204
Links: Monarch’s Way (Wikipedia / LDWA), Worcester, Powick, Battle of Worcester, River Severn
The Monarch's Way is a 625-mile long-distance path that approximates the escape route taken by King Charles II in 1651 after being defeated in the Battle of Worcester. I had followed and crossed sections of it on several other trips but, due to it’s length, never had it on my list to complete. It’s still not on my list, but as I was staying overnight in Worcester I decided to do an early morning run/walk on the first section.
This circular route starts and ends at Worcester Bridge and takes in (almost) the first 5km of the Monarch’s Way. From the Bridge follow the A44, then the A449 in a south-westerly direction for 2.5 km until you reach Old Road. Follow Old Road to Powick Bridge. Here you’ll find the engraved stone that marks the start of the Monarch’s Way. A information board at the start commemorates the thousands of Scots who lost their lives at the Battle of Worcester. Powick Bridge saw both the first and last battles of the English Civil War.
From the start of the trail on Old Road, take a left to follow a footpath through the end of a field on the northern bank to the River Teme. After 1.8km of the trail you’ll reach a City of Worcester Boundary stone near the confluence of the River Teme and River Severn. Turn north, still following the path to follow the Severn all the way back to Worcester Bridge. The first half of this River Severn section continues on rough ground on the edge of the field. After Diglis Bridge the path becomes paved and crosses through Worcester Riverside Park.
The English county of Sussex holds a unique historical term that can raise eyebrows: the "Rapes." Unlike modern definitions, the term in Sussex refers to a historical administrative division. The origin of the term "Rape" for these regions is shrouded in mystery. Theories range from a possible link to the Old English word "raep," meaning "harvest," to a connection with the Danish word "rape," signifying "district."
The Historic County of Sussex has six Rapes: Arundel, Bramber, Chichester, Hastings, Lewes, and Pevensey. Established sometime before the Norman Conquest of 1066, these Rapes likely predate the current county borders. Each Rape contained smaller subdivisions called "Hundreds," forming the backbone of local administration for centuries. Some historians believe the Rapes might have originated as defensive units, with each Rape centered around a strategically placed castle. This theory aligns with the arrival of the Normans, who are known to have built fortifications across England.
The Rapes continued to be used for administrative purposes for centuries, but their importance gradually declined. By the 19th century, their role had largely been superseded by more modern administrative structures. Today, the Rapes of Sussex remain a fascinating relic of the county's past. Though no longer serving an administrative function, they hold cultural significance and continue to spark curiosity.
Rapal Town: Chichester
Norman Castle: Chichester Castle
Highest Point: Black Down, 280 metres, is also the Historic County Top of Sussex, the Present-Day County Top of West Sussex and the highest point in the South Downs National Park.
OS Trig Pillar: TP1443 - Blackdown
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia, Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Rapal Town: Arundel
Norman Castle: Arundel Castle
Highest Point: Glatting Beacon, 245 metres
OS Trig Pillar: TP1358 - Bignor Beacon
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia, Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Rapal Town: Bramber
Norman Castle: Bramber Castle
Highest Point: Chanctonbury Hill, 242 metres
OS Trig Pillar: TP2110 - Chanctonbury Ring
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia, Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Rapal Town: Lewes
Norman Castle: Lewes Castle
Highest Point: Ditchling Beacon, 248 metres, is the Present-Day County Top of East Sussex.
OS Trig Pillar: TP0760 - Ditchling
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia, Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Rapal Town: Pevensey
Norman Castle: Pevensey Castle
Highest Point: Crowborough Beacon, 242 metres, is also the high point of the High Weald National Landscape.
OS Trig Pillar: TP2630 - Crowborough
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia, Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Rapal Town: Hastings
Norman Castle: Hastings Castle
Highest Point: Brightling Down, 197 metres
OS Trig Pillar: N/A. Closest is TP4140 - Jurys Gut
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia, Peakbagger, Hillbagging
View to Glatting Beacon from the South Downs Way
Also known as: Bignor Hill
Significance: Highest point in the Rape of Arundel
Parent Peak: Butser Hill
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Littleton Down
Present Day County: West Sussex (of which Black Down is the County Top)
Elevation: 245m
Date climbed: July 20th 2024
Coordinates: 50° 55' N, 0° 38' W
Route Start / End: South Downs Way Parking, Chichester, RH20 1PH
Route Distance: 2.8 km (1.7 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 37m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): South Downs Way
OS Trig Pillar: TP1358 - Bignor Beacon
Map: Arundel & Pulborough Map | Worthing & Bognor Regis | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL10
Links: Wikipedia (Rape of Arundel, Bignor Hill), National Trust Slindon Estate, Peakbagger, Hillbagging
Like Chanctonbury Hill which we visited earlier in the day, I could have bagged this one on an earlier trip along the South Downs Way. It’s easily accessible as a small diversion from the National Trail and hard to miss (look for the big transmitter in the trees).
We bagged it on a short circular walk from the Bignor Hill South Downs Way Car Park. From the parking, follow the South Downs Way in a westerly direction for ~280m then take a right hand path ascending towards the big transmitter. Near the top, take the service track to the transmitter where you’ll find the Trig Pillar lurking in the undergrowth.
Either return the way you came or return to the main path that you were on, take 2 lefts and you’re back on the South Downs Way. Take another left to follow the Trail back to the car park.
View to Chanctonbury Ring from the Trig Pillar
Also known as: Chanctonbury Ring
Significance: Highest point in the Rape of Bramber
Member of: Marilyns
Parent Peak: Ditchling Beacon
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Ditchling Beacon
Present Day County: West Sussex (of which Black Down is the County Top)
Elevation: 242m
Date climbed: July 20th 2024
Coordinates: 50° 53' 48'' N, 0° 22' 54'' W
Route Start / End: Chanctonbury Ring Car Park, Chanctonbury Ring Road, Steyning, BN44 3DR
Route Distance: 4.3 km (2.7 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 154m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched: South Downs Way,
OS Trig Pillar: TP2110 - Chanctonbury Ring
Map: Arundel & Pulborough Map | Worthing & Bognor Regis | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL10
Links: Wikipedia (Rape of Bramber, Chanctonbury Hill, Chanctonbury Ring), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
I very nearly bagged Chanctonbury Ring a few years back while cycling the South Downs Way. We stopped to visit the nearby Trig Pillar but I didn’t realise that the Rape of Bramber High Point was so close. So, on a day of bagging my remaining Sussex high points, Mark and I revisited for a short, steep circular walk to visit both the high point and the Trig Pillar.
To follow the same route start at Chanctonbury Ring Car Park and follow Chanctonbury Ring Road in a southerly direction. Continue south as the road becomes a path that leads up to the South Downs Way. We took a short cut up a less-used, steeper path through the woods. It actually didn’t save much time as a guy that we saw taking the longer route arrived at the top at more or less the same time as we did.
Whichever route you take, turn right onto the South Downs Way and head towards the clump of trees that’s the site of the Iron Age hillfort. The South Downs Way goes round the trees on their southern side so you’ll need to leave the trail to follow a smaller path through the trees. The high point isn’t marked but easy to find. From the high point continue west out of the trees to briefly rejoin the South Downs Way before cutting off again to the Trig Pillar.
To return follow the fence to the north of the Trig Pillar back towards Chanctonbury Ring to find a gate and a path that leads back down the hill in a north-westerly direction. At the bottom of the hill take a right on another path that leads back to Chantonbury Ring Road near to the Car Park.
View to the south-west from Crowborough Beacon Golf Club
Significance: Highest point in the Rape of Pevensey, High Point of High Weald National Landscape
Member of: Marilyns
Parent Peak: Ditchling Beacon
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Ditchling Beacon
Present Day County: East Sussex (of which Ditchling Beacon is the County Top)
Elevation: 242m
Date climbed: July 20th 2024
Coordinates: 51° 3' 17'' N, 0° 9' 15'' E
Route Start / End: Croft Road Car Park, Pine Grove, Crowborough, TN6 1AR
Route Distance: 3.9 km (2.4 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 47m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched: None
OS Trig Pillar: TP2630 - Crowborough
Map: Ashdown Forest Map | Royal Tunbridge Wells, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath & Crowborough | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 135
Links: Wikipedia (Rape of Pevensey, Crowborough, High Weald), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
I had high hopes for Crowborough as it has “Beacon” in it’s name as is the high point of both the Rape of Pevensey and The High Weald. It turns out that there’s not much to see. The high point is an unmarked spot outside a house called Deep Dene on Warren Road. It can easily be bagged as a drive-by but we chose to park in Crowborough village centre and bag it as a part of a short circular walk.
To follow the same route leave Croft Road Car Park and head north to join the A26 Beacon Road. Take a left onto the A26 and walk in a south-westerly direction for ~700m to the water reservoir opposite Beacon Road West. Here you’ll find the OS Trig Pillar next to a small brick building. Continue south for ~25m to reach the high point at Warren Road.
Continue further south along the A26 to a footpath at the edge of the woods at 2 km into the walk. This is a point marked in Peakbagger as Crowborough South Slope, the High Point of the High Weald. Although Crowborough is completely within The High Weald, the town isn’t part of the National Landscape, so this is technically the highest point rather than the spot at Deep Dene.
Take a left onto South View Road to find the best and only panoramic view of the walk across Crowborough Golf Course. Continue along South view road, then onto Croft Road to return to the Car Park
Brightling Obelisk
Significance: Highest point in the Rape of Hastings
Parent Peak: Crowborough Beacon
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Crowborough Beacon
Present Day County: East Sussex (of which Ditchling Beacon is the County Top)
Elevation: 197m
Date climbed: July 20th 2024
Coordinates: 50° 58' N, 0° 23' E
Route Start / End: Small parking spot at junction of Willingford Lane and Mill Lane
Route Distance: 0.6 km (0.4 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 3m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched: None
OS Trig Pillar: TP4140 - Jurys Gut (not at the high point, but ~1 km to the south)
Map: Hastings & Bexhill Map | Battle & Robertsbridge | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 124
Links: Wikipedia (Rape of Hastings, Brightling, Brightling Park), Peakbagger, Hillbagging
The high point of the Rape of Hastings can be found on the edge of the private Brightling Park, currently home to a racehorse training company. The summit is hard to miss as it’s marked by a large obelisk called The Brightling Needle. If you don’t mind a bit of minor trespassing its a 600m out and back walk from a small parking space near the junction of Willingford Lane and Mill Lane.
If you’re no up for tresspassing then don’t hop over the gate into the small wooded area at the south eastern end of Willingford Lane. Don’t follow the track through the woods and hop over another fence into the field, then follow the track up to the Obelisk. Instead, you can see the Obelisk through the fence further down Willingford Lane. Alternatively you can ask permission from the landowner to access the land.
While you’re in the area it’s worth visiting Jury’s Gut, an OS Trig Pillar located 1km to the south on a path next to a kiln-shaped folly called The Sugarloaf.
Farmland near Little Hampden
Start & Finish: Great Missenden Station, HP16 9AZ
Distance: 11.2 km (7.0 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 200m
South Bucks Way section covered: Little Hampden to Great Missenden: 5.19 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): South Bucks Way, Chiltern Heritage Trail, Chiltern Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Chiltern Heritage Trail Hampden Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Black Horse (10.3 km in), several in Great Missenden village centre.
Map: OS Explorer Map (181) Chiltern Hills North
Links: South Bucks Way (LDWA), Little Hampden, Great Missenden, Prestwood, Pepperbox Woods
The South Bucks Way is a 37 km (23-mile) trail that promises a delightful escape for walkers and hikers. This scenic route, often overshadowed by its more famous counterparts, offers a tranquil journey through charming villages, lush countryside, and the gentle murmur of the River Misbourne. This post is part of a series of circular walks featuring the South Bucks Way. The full trail stretches from Coombe Hill near Wendover to the Grand Union Canal at Denham. Our walks take in short sections of the South Bucks Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The South Bucks Way is well sign-posted however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.
Start at the Great Missenden village centre where you’ll find several means to access the start including the railway station, bus stops and car parks. From the station head west over the A4128 Martinsend Lane, crossing over the railway bridge, then take a left into Trafford Road. This first section follows the Chiltern Heritage Trail. Take the footpath on the right to follow the Chiltern Heritage Trail in a westerly direction, through fields and woods to Prestwood.
Leave the Chiltern Heritage Trail when you cross Green Lane, instead continuing in a westerly direction to Prestwood high Street (A4128). Take a right onto Moat Lane and follow it in a north-westerly direction the Horley Bottom and into Pepperboxes Woods. When you reach Rignall Road, take a left onto it and follow it for 200m before taking a footpath on the right into farmland. Follow the path uphill for 1.3 km until you reach Little Hampden Village. Take a right to the village centre where you’ll connect with the southern end of the first section of the South Bucks Way.
Conitnue in an easterly direction, following the same section of the South Bucks Way and Chiltern Way as in Part 1. Instead of turning north through Hampdenleaf Wood, as in part one, continue heading east following the South Bucks Way. Continue along the South Bucks Way in a a south-easterly direction descending to the north end of Great Missenden at the Black Horse pub on Aylesbury Road. Before you cross the road take a moment to stop by the pond between the railway tracks and the road. This is the start of the River Misbourne which you’ll be following for the rest of the South Bucks Way.
Take the footpath on the southern side of the Black Horse pub to follow the South Bucks Way through fields running between the A413 and Aylesbury Road. Be careful in the winter or in wet conditions as this part can get flooded and muddy. The path ends at Link Road which you can follow back to the village centre.
South Bucks Way previous section (north): Coombe Hill and Little Hampden
South Bucks Way next section (south): Great Missenden and Little Kingshill
View across the Vale of Aylesbury from Coombe Hill
Start & Finish: Coombe Hill Car Park, Coombe Hill, Lodge Hill, Aylesbury, HP17 0UR
Distance: 8.6 km (5.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 139m
South Bucks Way section covered: Coombe Hill to Little Hampden: 3.71 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): South Bucks Way, Coombe Hill Purple Route, Coombe Hill Orange Trail, The Ridgeway, Outer Aylesbury Ring, Chiltern Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: None, but there was an ice cream van in the car park when we got back there at the end.
Map: OS Explorer Map (181) Chiltern Hills North
Links: South Bucks Way (LDWA), Coombe Hill, Bacombe Hill, Coombe Hill National Trust, Little Hampden, Dunsmore
The South Bucks Way is a 37 km (23-mile) trail that promises a delightful escape for walkers and hikers. This scenic route, often overshadowed by its more famous counterparts, offers a tranquil journey through charming villages, lush countryside, and the gentle murmur of the River Misbourne. This post is part of a series of circular walks featuring the South Bucks Way. The full trail stretches from Coombe Hill near Wendover to the Grand Union Canal at Denham. Our walks take in short sections of the South Bucks Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The South Bucks Way is well sign-posted however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.
Start at the Coombe Hill National Trust Car Park and follow the main trail to the north, curving round to the west to reach the summit of Coombe Hill. The summit is marked by the Coombe Hill Monument erected to honour the names of men who fell whilst fighting in the Second Boer War. From here, on a clear day like we had, you get amazing view to the north across the Vale of Aylesbury.
From the monument head south along the Ridgeway for just under 2 km to a path junction where the South Bucks way splits from the Ridgeway. Keep on the South Bucks way, now heading in a south-easterly direction until you reach the village of Little Hampden. This is the end of the South Bucks Way section of this walk. take a left to follow the Chiltern Way for ~800m across a valley-shaped field and into Hampdenleaf Woods. At the top of the hill take a left to follow the path along the woods to Dunsmore. Pass through Dunsmore into High Scrubs wood, following paths that take you in a north-easterly direction back to the Coombe Hill car park.
South Bucks Way next section: Little Hampden and Great Missenden
