Naturist Ramblers - 2018 Walks Programme

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Sunday January 21st - Nat Ram AGM and Annual Dinner - London

More of a tube ride than a walk although it is a 6 min walk from Chancery Lane tube station! This is the AGM and Annual Dinner, which includes the official launch of the 2018 Walks Programme. It's a great opportunity to meet old friends, discuss the walks, have a nice meal, great beer etc. Over five hours of nude bliss in mid-Winter in Central London - it's worth it almost for its novelty value! Open only to Nat Ram and SOC walkers and their friends. Now 'Fully Booked'!!

 

Thursday 19th April - Wotton Wander (New) - Dorking
Distance 12 Miles

This is new for 2018, and starts at the same place as the Leith Hill walk. Instead of going south, we go north to the Downs which are open with south facing slopes for a good part of the way, but which also have extensive areas of varied and sheltered woodland, some of which should be full of bluebells. We rise gently eastwards with fine views south across the peaceful valley to the forested slope of the Leith Hill ridge, through a gap of which it is possible to glimpse Chanctonbury Ring on the far-distant South Downs. When we reach the North Downs Way, we follow it west for several miles before returning.

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Wednesday 23rd May - Weald Side - Chiddingstone
Distance 10 Miles

This was a new walk in 2016 located in deepest Kent. We explore the gently rolling countryside on the Kent / Surrey border, crowned by the Dry Hill iron age hill fort. A patchwork of meadows, woods and ponds, with enchanting views over the Eden valley to the North and the Sussex Weald to the South.

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Saturday 2nd June - Hoo Peninsula - Gravesend
Distance 11 Miles

This walk is in a most unusual setting exploring a huge and virtually deserted area of marshland alongside the Thames Estuary, which is why we can do it on a Saturday. This area is full of historical interest, it being the setting for Charles Dickens 'Great Expectations'. In addition there is much evidence of WWII, not to mention its chequered smuggling history! The date of the walk has been planned so that the state of the tide should give us the opportunity for swimming in the Thames at some stage during the walk.

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Wednesday 6th June - Dean's Bottom - Goring-on-Thames
Distance 11 Miles / Short Walk Option 8 Miles

This is now a popular walk in our programme, and it is the sixth walk in our collection to make use - briefly this time - of The Ridgeway long distance path. We meet in a pretty Berkshire village and walk through superb downland scenery in a large figure of eight. There are ups and downs, so you have to be able to cope with several steep climbs. A shorter version of the walk is possible.

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Thursday 14th June - Arun Gap - Arundel
Distance 12 Miles

This was a new walk in 2017 and starts from the same place as the Wepham Down walk, which route it follows briefly before turning west to explore the northern end of the Arun Gap and the downland ridge on the far side. A good half of the way is flat with much of it along the banks of the peaceful tidal Arun through both open meadow [with wide views to the Downs on either side] and woodland. We divert off the riverside path through an old quarry up on to the ridge to the west, with superb views over the Arun Gap, north over the Weald as far as Leith Hill, and south to Arundel Castle and Cathedral and beyond to the sea. Part of the route takes us into land where unfortunately dogs are not allowed along the route that we follow.

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Wednesday 20th June - Box Hill Maze - Dorking
Distance 11 Miles / Short Walk Option 7 Miles

This is a popular walk, being close to London and the M25. It starts where the River Mole cuts through the North Downs and follows an amazing tangle of footpaths through beautiful wooded and also open territory with splendid views. But you have to be able to cope with several steep climbs. Please note that due to the nature of the walk it will start at 12 mid-day prompt! A shorter version of the walk is possible.

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Thursday 28th June - Ackling Dyke - Salisbury
Distance 11 Miles / Short Walk Option 9 Miles

Ackling Dyke is a name bestowed locally on the Roman road between Sarum (now Salisbury) and Poole Harbour, which we follow for several miles. We are again on the high chalk downland and much of the scenery is spectacular with lunch in a secluded Alpine meadow. A shorter version of the walk is possible.

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Thursday 12th July - Harting Down - Petersfield
Distance 12 Miles

Downland walks are always popular and this circuit starts at the southernmost point. We head north-east gradually ascending the dip slope to the crest of the South Downs where we enjoy splendid views over the Harting countryside. After heading west along the ridge, we close the loop through rolling fields and woods.

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Tuesday 17th July - Whiteways - Amberley
Distance 12 Miles

This walk starts from a car park rather than a pub, although refreshments and toilets are available in the car park. The walk starts off in a mixture of farmland and woodland before emerging on to the top of the downs. We pass along deserted chalkland valleys before joining part of the South Downs Way with magnificent views as we return to the car park.

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Wednesday 25th July - Bury Down - Didcot
Distance 12 Miles

This is a wonderful walk over the downs between Reading and Didcot. From the village, we will climb up onto and along the Ridgeway with its great views, before turning south to drop down through a winding valley to make a wide circle back to the pub.

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Tuesday 31st July - Red Shoot - Ringwood
Distance 12 Miles

This year we repeat our usual route heading north from the pub up onto the New Forest. The walk typifies the Forest with vast expanses of heather and heathland along with magnificent views. Not to mention ponies, ponds, and relics from WW2!

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Tuesday 7th August- Grovely - Salisbury
Distance 11 Miles / Short Walk Option 9 Miles

For many years we have looked north across the wide valley when walking along the top of escarpment that is a major feature of our Broad Chalke walk, and admired a wooded parallel ridge with woods on top but open sides. When we investigated we were far from disappointed. It follows a mixture of Roman Roads and old ox drove tracks, with distant views of Salisbury Cathedral and its spire! A shorter version of the walk is possible.

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Wednesday 15th August - Ashdown Forest - East Grinstead
Distance 11 Miles

The route for this walk has evolved over the years and is a lovely circuit around the High Weald with a good mix of delightful wooded tracks and heathland paths, providing spectacular views across to both the North and South Downs.

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Wednesday 22nd August - Wepham Down - Arundel
Distance 14 Miles / Short Walk Option 8 Miles

This is a brilliant walk and a favourite with many of our walkers. It explores the high rolling chalk downland north of Arundel. It is very open and nude friendly with magnificent views. Parts of it are quite remote, almost reminiscent of the Lakes! The walk is about 14 miles (which is on the long side by Nat Ram standards) so note the earlier 11.30am start time. A shorter version of the walk is possible.

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Tuesday 4th September - Sugar Hill - Swindon
Distance 11 Miles

This is a magnificent walk on the high chalk downland between Hungerford and Swindon. Its start point is a very pretty village with its pub and village green. The walk follows the ridge up to the impressive Liddington Castle which was one of the earliest Iron Age hill forts in Britain, with first occupation dating to the seventh century BC! We then follow a fine route along a west facing escarpment partly parallel to, and then on, the Ridgeway before heading east back to the village.

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Tuesday 11th September - Friston Forest - Polegate
Distance 11 Miles / Short Walk Option 7 Miles

This beautiful walk featured in our first 1993 programme and is still a favourite, with forest, open downs and precipitous chalk cliffs. As the walk is not a closed circuit we board a bus to get to the start of our walk which is along the Cuckmere River, so for those of you who qualify, don't forget your bus pass!. We take a route heading north along the east bank of the river, where a quick swim might be in order, before leaving it to climb up through a winding valley and emerge on the top of the downs. We finish up by striding across closely cropped turf along the top of the famous Seven Sisters chalk cliffs to Birling Gap before walking back to the pub for dinner. A shorter version of the walk is possible.

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Thursday 20th September - Mayfield - Mayfield
Distance 11 Miles / Short Walk Option 7 Miles

This walk follows a delightful wiggling route through a mixture of pasture and woodland combining great views across the Weald with some enchanting almost Alpine settings. We usually stop for lunch in Wadhurst Park where herds of deer are often seen grazing. A shorter version of the walk is possible.

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Tuesday 9th October - Leith Hill - Dorking
Distance 11 Miles

This is a popular walk, much enjoyed and provides an excellent route through pleasant sheltered woodland and very attractive valleys sloping gently up to Leith Hill Tower. At 1000ft (317m) above sea level it is the highest point in SE England. From here it is possible to see some of the high buildings in Central London. In the other direction you can look out across Gatwick Airport and see as far as the South Downs.

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If you would like to join us on our walks you can email the Naturist Ramblers Secretary. It is helpful if you can outline your naturist experience.



Walks from previous years and other links:

 

2017 Walks - and photos from the walks

2016 Walks - and photos from the walks

2015 Walks - and photos from the walks

We were born to be Naturist Ramblers

Meet some of the walkers