Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park 15km/9 mile Sunday afternoon hike

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 15 kilometres / 9 miles on good paths which may become very muddy after rain. Mainly flat, with a total of 190m of ascent. There are several gentle hills, but never more than 30m of ascent, or 40m of descent at a time.

This pleasant linear parkland hike starts outside Wimbledon station and finishes outside Richmond station.

The first mile takes us through a residential area of Wimbledon, after which we enter Wimbledon Common and walk past a windmill, which has stood on the Common since 1817. There are tea rooms there, and public toilets, so we take an opportunity and have a very short toilet stop.

We then cross the Common and University Playing Fields, and enter Richmond Park, the largest of London’s Royal Parks, which was created in the 17th century by Charles I as a deer park. Keeping our distance from the rutting deer, we walk past the White Lodge, a Grade I listed Georgian house and a former royal residence, which now houses the Royal Lower Ballet School, and then past Pen Ponds, a lake dug in 1746 and divided in two by a causeway.

Before leaving Richmond Park, we visit King Henry’s Mound, where there is a viewing platform with a telescope through which we can enjoy protected view of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Remember to sanitise your hands after touching the telescope.

The last highlight of the day is a beautiful panoramic view over the Thames from Richmond Hill viewpoint – the only view in Britain specifically protected by an Act of Parliament.

From Richmond Hill, we descend onto the Thames Path, which takes us to Richmond, where the walk ends outside Richmond station.

IMPORTANT: Dogs are not allowed on this walk, as it is deer rutting season. For more information visit:
https://www.royalparks.org.uk/media-centre/press-releases/the-royal-parks-advice-during-rutting-season

MEETING TIME: 10:56 outside Wimbledon station.

COST: £10.00 organiser fee paid on RSVP

TRAINS:
There is a train from London Waterloo at 10:40, arriving in Wimbledon at 10:56, journey time 16 minutes. Oyster £2.90

https://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/timesandfares/London/WIM/181020/1030/dep

TICKETS: Use your Oyster card

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: 11:00 from outside Wimbledon station

LUNCH: We will stop for a picnic lunch around 13:00. Please bring packed lunch and plenty of water to keep hydrated.

WALK ENDS: Approximately 15:30 outside Richmond station, but it always depends on the pace of the group we have on the particular day. It may be a bit earlier or a bit later.

RETURN TRAINS: District line trains from Richmond to London Victoria leave every 10 minutes, journey time 29 minutes. Use your Oyster card for a best travel fare.

TOILETS: There are toilets at Wimbledon station, the Windmill Car Park at Wimbledon Common, Robin Hood Gate at Richmond Park, and at Richmond station.

CONTACT: Phone number for the day: 0799 0489 040

WHAT TO BRING:
FACE COVERING, SANITISER, 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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