Virginia Water & Runnymede – 23km/14miles, moderate pace
As a hiking business, we are exempt from the rule of 6. By signing up to our event you are agreeing to our COVID 19 guidelines as outlined here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Sly8wbiT3VabjhkDjX_f6AFFG2pcoU-e5sK0OPjSy74/edit?usp=sharing
GRADE: Beginner/Intermediate. It is a long walk at 23 km/14 miles, but it is on good paths with only 290m of total ascent. It is mainly flat with only 2 hills. About 5 hours of hiking.
Starting at Virginia Water station, we walk through the pretty village, which in 2013 became the first and only town in the country with an average house price of more than £1m. On our way to the beautiful scenic lake, we pass many impressive houses, some owned by popular celebrities.
After about 2 miles we reach Virginia Water Lake, recently used by the crews for the Harry Potter films for lakeside scenes. The lake was first dammed and flooded in 1753 under Duke of Cumberland. We then continue walking west around the lake, passing a waterfall and Roman ruins brought to the UK in 1818, taking in the glittering waters and spotting a wide variety of birdlife and a great display of dog breeds – the park is very popular among dog walkers. Still continuing around the lake, we walk along the southern edge of Windsor Great Park, and arrive at a 100ft tall Canadian totem pole, and then at the Obelisk Pond, where we make good use of picnic tables and nearby toilets and stop for lunch.
After lunch we continue walking north-east until we reach Runnymede Magna Carta Monument, commemorating a charter of rights agreed to by King John of England on 15 June 1215, and the JF Kennedy Memorial – a piece of American land on British soil. We also stop at toilets at Runnymede, and then make our way back to Virginia Water, walking along the Thames, through the commuter town of Egham, then following the rail line and again walking through woods which take us back to Virginia Water, and eventually to the station.
MEETING TIME: 10:55 outside Virginia Water station.
COST: £10.00 organiser fee pay on RSVP
TRAINS: 10:06 from London Waterloo arriving at Virginia Water at 10:54, journey time 48min. Return ticket to Virginia Water costs £13.60, or £9.00 with a Network Railcard
Due to Covid-19, we currently cannot travel together and organise group tickets. If you choose to do so on your own, please remember to follow all current government safety and social distancing guidelines.
WALK STARTS: 10:55 outside Virginia Water station
https://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/timesandfares/London/VIR/270920/0930/dep/270920/1630/dep
LUNCH: We will stop for a picnic lunch around 13:00. Please bring packed lunch and plenty of water to keep well-hydrated throughout the walk.
WALK ENDS: Approximately at 17:30 outside Virginia Water station, but it always depends on pace of the group on the particular day. It may be a bit earlier, or a bit later.
There is an option to finish the hike early in Egham, after about 18km. Day return ticket to Virginia Water also covers your return journey from Egham, as it is one station before our final destination.
RETURN TRAINS: There are 3 trains an hour to London Waterloo from Virginia Water station on Sundays, 1, 12 and 31 minutes past the hour.
CONTACT: Phone number for the day: 0799 0489 040
WHAT TO BRING: Face covering and sanitiser (compulsory) lunch, snacks, water, suitable clothing and hiking footwear. Click here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FLjSAczjgbZ26OKE4Iy_zX2IFqkybdXCmK9AkVfqI1w/edit?usp=sharing
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XSic4Aj9VJguTQuiWrTd6I1A-EmvmQCqCHggB0omlX8/edit?usp=sharing
To view our full calendar: https://www.meetup.com/GO-London/events/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GoLondonAdventure/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoLondonHiking/
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Station Approach
Station Approach
Virginia Water, GB