Maps and Guides

The maps used on the walk pages are from plotaroute, a website which lets you plot routes, calculates the distance and profiles the terrain. The site is free, but for a small annual subscription you can view maps in a number of different formats, including Ordnance Survey and satellite view.

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As OS maps have strict copyright rules we are sadly unable to reproduce them here. We do recommend the 1:25 000 gauge as pretty much an essential companion, however. The good news is that even if you don't want to buy a plotaroute subscription or purchase a physical map, the entire OS series is available free to print out or screenshot at streetmap.co.uk.
 

If you get lost, and there is a phone signal, there is always Google Maps, of course (make sure your location is turned on).

Useful guides include the National Trails site, which contains information about some of the major long-distance footpaths which feature on this site. These include the Ridgeway, the South Downs Way, the North Downs Way, the Cotswolds Way and the Thames Path.

It's important to note, though, that not all the walks follow well-marked trails and many have sections which are just local footpaths.

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Transport

All the walks on this site were reached using public transport, so we haven't included any information on road routes or parking. As mentioned on the About page, if you do decide to drive, many of the walks are circular and in most instances you can return to the starting point.

For train times, we use trainline or the National Rail website. Traveline.info is invaluable as a national source for local bus times across the UK and includes detailed timetables of every route. If you know the name of the local bus company, you can also consult their sites.

 

We generally haven't put the times of trains or buses on here because they change all the time and we wouldn't want to be responsible for you missing the last connection. We do list the location of bus stops on the walk pages, but please double check on Traveline. Some research may be required. The detailed timetables on Traveline will list each individual bus stop and these are also marked on the transport view on Plotaroute and on Google Maps (if you zoom in). It is normally obvious where a bus stop is located, although many in rural locations do not actually have a sign or shelter.

Pubs

If you are planning to visit, check they are still open as many have sadly closed over the last few years but may still be marked on maps. Also, remember to check opening times. A lot of rural pubs shut during the afternoons. If you are planning on eating, go to the pub's website or ring them to check food serving times. This is all just common sense, but it's easy to forget to do – and having detoured from up on the Downs to little villages below for a well-earned lunch only to be confronted with a 'Closed' (forever) sign on a pub door, we wouldn’t want any of you to have the same disappointment!

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What should I bring?

We're not going to insult your intelligence here either. Obviously, take a waterproof if there's any possibility of rain (always check the weather for your destination in the morning before you set off). Wearing layers is a good idea. Even in winter, it can get surprisingly warm when walking for long periods, but equally temperatures can drop significantly towards the end of the day.

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We recommend the softer type of walking boots for most of these walks, as the terrain is usually fairly gentle and they are much more comfortable to wear than the harder type. In summer, you might even be able to get away with sturdy trainers or walking sandals for some of the walks, but beware of any areas liable to flooding and, of course, mud (there will always be mud!). Don't forget water, snacks, beer and maps if you think you will need them. And sunscreen! Even when there is no discernible sight of the sun, you can still get a helluva sunburn up on the hills or in open terrain.

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How long will the walk take?

There is no real way of estimating exactly how long a walk may take you. However, it is an important consideration if you have a train or bus at catch at the end of it!

 

There are a lot of factors to take into account. For example, the longer the walk, the slower your overall speed will probably be as you will need to take more (and longer) breaks. Terrain is also obviously a factor. Assuming normal levels of fitness, walking unbroken through countryside at an average pace over fairly long distances should achieve a speed of around 2.5 mph.

But you will want to stop and appreciate your surroundings, so if you also factor in several short breaks, to check your route, take pictures, to rest, eat, or explore a site of interest, this may bring your overall speed down to 2 mph or under.

The time given on the routes on this site are calculated using this rough speed as a guide and from our experience of undertaking the individual walks. These times do not take into account longer stops – so if you are planning on pub breaks or any long stop-offs at particular sites, add these to your total time.

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By way of illustration, if you walked 10 miles with very few breaks, it might take about 4 hours but may feel quite rushed. We'd recommend to allow a minimum of 5 hours instead. It's possible you could do it more quickly, but this would give you plenty of time to take things in and would mean you could incorporate several short rest/site breaks. On top of this time, you might then add an extra hour or so if you wanted to include lunch at a pub.

We also recommend making a note of the mile markers on plotaroute, so you can monitor your pace. If you are lagging behind, you know you have to speed up a little. If you are ahead of schedule, it might mean you can spend longer in the pub!

If you do end up in a pub at the end of the walk before the last bus or train, it's important that you know exactly how far away the stop is (and where it is). Make sure you leave enough time just in case.

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Will we finish before it gets dark?

As a lot of these walks take a full day, this is always a consideration, particularly in winter. We recommend you set off early enough to allow plenty of time. Check the sunset time for your location (just Google it). It varies depending on the weather, but it will usually remain light enough in open countryside for about half an hour after sunset (not if walking through woods!).

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What if we miss the last train/bus?

Many of these walks end at or near pubs, so there is usually the option to call for a cab to take you somewhere where you will be able to start your homeward journey. In fact, when it is tight to catch the last connection, we have sometimes deliberately not rushed it, and settled into a pub for some food instead, before getting a cab to the station. This can be a great way to end the day.

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