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Monday
4th January - Stark Trekkers - Salehurst Saunter - 6 Miles
Cancelled due to Covid 19 pandemic
This
walk is generally a fairly gentle affair from Salehurst to Bodiam
in East Sussex with its famous National Trust owned 14th century
moated castle. We return from Bodiam along the attractive bank
of the River Rother
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Friday
19th February - Stark Trekkers - Burwash Bash - 6 Miles
Cancelled due to Covid 19 pandemic
This
walk takes us through a beautiful part of the Sussex Weald in
a succession of fields and woodlands along little used footpaths
with some engaging scenery
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Wednesday
17th March - Stark Trekkers - Mayfield Meander - 6 Miles
Cancelled due to Covid 19 pandemic
For
those familiar with the Nat Ram Mayfield walk, this is a shortened
version of that walk, starting and finishing as in the full version
but, after the wide remote-feeling meadow and the willow grove,
we take a short cut through the delightful if steep Coombe Wood
where early Spring flowers may now be visible.
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Wednesday
14th April - Stark Trekkers - Chilham Circuit - 6.5 Miles
This
is a shorter version of Martin's "Egg and Denger" walk,
devised some time ago and is due for its first Nat Ram outing
in September. This will be our first Kent walk this year as we
want to give the county plenty of time to emerge from Tier 4
restrictions! This walk consists of a delightful mixture of rolling
fields, downs and woodland, some of it open with broad rides
and with some wide and scenic views.
See photos of the walk
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Tuesday 20th April
- Nat Ram - Wotton Wander - Dorking - 12 Miles
This has becoming
the Nat Ram regular walking season opener. It 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. We rise gently eastwards to our lunch stop with
its fine views south across the peaceful valley around Wotton
Hatch, before following the general line of the North Downs Way
west for several miles along the forested tops of the North Downs
ridge to our tea stop. Here the Tillingbourne Valley spreads
like a map beneath our feet, then rises to the forests of the
Greensand Ridge of Holmbury Hill. We return east along the Way
with its crumbling collection of WW II pillboxes, and along here
it is possible at one point to catch a glimpse Chanctonbury Ring
on the far-distant South Downs.
See photos of the walk
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Wednesday 28th
April - Nat Ram - Box Hill Maze - Reigate - 11 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!
See photos of the walk
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Friday
30th April Stark Trekkers - Challock Challenge - 6 Miles
This
is by now a familiar route to Stark Trekkers walkers. It was
designed by the leader and it has some affinities with the Pilgrim's
Way Nat Ram walk which he will be leading in May. Hopefully by
this time there will be plenty of bluebells and other Spring
flowers coming into bloom. The walk has much woodland with wide
and open rides and more open areas generally. A wide field towards
the end of the walk offers good views in fine weather towards
the SE coast near Rye. This incidentally is our "May"
walk just a little bit on the early side!
See photos of the walk
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Wednesday
5th May - Nat Ram - Mayfield - Mayfield - 11 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.
In early May the wooded sections will be full of colourful wild
flowers including some rare species.A shorter version of the
walk is possible.
See photos of the walk
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Thursday 13th May
- Nat Ram - Saltmarsh Saunter - Tollesbury, Essex - 11 Miles
This is
a new walk for 2021 and takes Nat Ram deep into Essex for a walk
exploring a remarkably fine salt marsh landscape. The walk is
full of interest for those interested in wildlife as well as
how our landscape has changed over time. The area is an internationally
important bird reserve. The walk is remarkable in that it is
almost completely flat since it follows the boundary bank between
the contrasting flat fields of the land and the sea's interesting
and intricate patterns of salt marsh creeks. The walk has been
scheduled to allow for a lunchtime swim in the Blackwater Estuary
at high tide off a sandy beach!
See photos of the walk
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Thursday
20th May - Pilgrim's Way - Canterbury - 12 Miles
This
was a new walk for 2019. The walk starts in a woodland car park
just outside Challock. The walk passes through a delightful mixture
of open countryside and woodland. It then follows a section of
the Pilgrim's Way with great views of Canterbury Cathedral, the
Wye Downs and across to Romney Marsh. Returning back to the car
park, our welcoming pub is just a short drive away in Challock
for a beer and supper.
See photos of the walk
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Wednesday 26th
May - Nat Ram - Arun Gap - Arundel - 12 Miles
This is a newish walk
and has become a regular favourite. The route heads 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. After
a lunch / swim stop, 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 Arundel Park where unfortunately
dogs are not allowed along the route that we follow.
See photos of the walk
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Wednesday 9th June
- Nat Ram - Red Shoot - Ringwood - 12 Miles
This year we repeat
our usual route heading north 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!
See photos of the walk
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Saturday
12th June - Nat Ram - Hoo Peninsula - Gravesend - 11 Miles
This
walk is in a most unusual setting exploring a huge and virtually
deserted area of marshland alongside the Thames Estuary. 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.
See photos of the walk
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Thursday
17th June - Nat Ram - Wepham Down - Arundel - 14 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.
See photos of the walk
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Tuesday
22nd June - Nat Ram - Ashdown Forest - East Grinstead - 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 open heathland paths, providing spectacular views
across to both the North and South Downs. The Forest is full
of local history from King Henry VIII's hunting ground to the
location of England's first blast Furnace.
See photos of the walk
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Friday
25th June - Stark Trekkers - Sedlescombe Sortie - 6 Miles
This
walk follows a series of woods and fields and shadows Powdermill
Reservoir to the north of Sedlescombe Village which lies off
the main A21 London-Hastings road. At one point we emerge from
woodland into a wide field surrounded by forest where Goshawks
have been seen displaying.
See photos of the walk
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Thursday
1st July - Nat Ram - King's Castle - Lewes - 12 Miles
This
walk was new in 2020 and is a superb ramble over the South Downs
near Lewes. Its start point is a very fine village pub: from
here we follow the South Downs Way up a paved lane up onto the
ridge. In a couple of miles the Way reaches the highest point
of our walk which stretches as a most stridable sward of closely
cropped turf with splendid views in all directions over the Ouse
Gap. There are glimpses of the sea to the south, and east to
the tops of the white cliffs of Seaford Head and the Seven Sisters.
After two miles or so of walking this 'roof of the world' we
leave the Way and dip into a splendid coombe which is a National
Nature Reserve which we follow as it winds seawards. Eventually
our route turns east over varied countryside until we arrive
back to the village with its welcome and welcoming pub. At the
end of the walk a swim in the River Ouse will be possible, which
is about a mile away.
See photos of the walk
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Thursday
8th July - Stark Trekkers - Long Man Loop - Eastbourne - 5.5
Miles
This
is a splendid down-land walk which first takes us to the well-known
chalk figure The Long Man and up on to Windhover Hill. We then
start to descend towards the village of Jevington, stopping for
lunch at the Gallops. A lane takes us back towards Folkington
before ascending on to a lovely wild flower bank with Bee Orchids
amongst the diverse and distinct chalk grassland flora. We then
continue through woods before emerging on to down-land to take
us back to Wilmington.
See photos of the walk
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Wednesday 14th
July - Nat Ram - Dean's Bottom - Goring-on-Thames - 12 Miles
This is 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 delightful Berkshire hamlet 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.
See photos of the walk
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Friday
16th July - Stark Trekkers - Hoo Hike (Cycle Ride Only) - Gravesend
- 15 Miles
This
is a cycle ride only, the annual Stark Trekkers ride. We cycle
out from the village of Cliffe, past the RSPB Cliffe Pools Reserve
and on to the Thames sea wall which we follow as far as Egypt
Bay where we stop for lunch returning by the same route.
See photos of the walk
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Tuesday 20th July
- Nat Ram - Egg & Denger - 11 Miles
This was to be a new
walk for 2020 but because of Covid it was replaced by the even
newer and simpler King's Castle walk. So it still new for 2021!
It is on on the east side of the glorious Stour valley, opposite
the Pilgrim's Way walk. It is named after the two principal woods
we pass through - Eggringe, where we emerge on a sunlit scarp
(we hope!) for lunch with wide views over the swelling Downs
and the River Stour winding its way through below us. As we return
through Denge Wood we get a distant view of Canterbury Cathedral.
See photos of the walk
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Thursday
29th July - Nat Ram - Great Bottom - Amberley - 12 Miles
This
walk is a modified version of the old Whiteways walk with its
new start location. The walk starts off with a steady climb up
onto the downs, through a mixture of farmland and woodland. We
walk along a section of Stane Street the old Roman Road which
is still in good condition! The walk then takes in lovely chalk
downland and deserted valleys before joining part of the South
Downs Way with stunning views as we return to the pub.
See photos of the walk
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Tuesday 3rd August
- Nat Ram - Bury Down - Didcot - 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.
See photos of the walk
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Wednesday
11th August - Nat Ram - Harting Down - Petersfield - 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 countryside around the village of South Harting. After heading
west along the ridge, we close the loop through rolling fields
and woods.
See photos of the walk
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Monday
16th August - Stark Trekkers - Barcombe Bounce - 6 Miles
A
delightful walk, devised by the leader, in the valley of the
River Ouse, returning along a most attractive stretch of the
river bank itself, resplendent with colourful streamside vegetation.
See photos of the walk
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Thursday 19th August
- Nat Ram - Sugar Hill - 11 Miles
This is a magnificent
walk on the high chalk downland between Hungerford and Swindon.
Its start point is the pretty village of Aldbourne, 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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Wednesday
25th August - Nat Ram - Ackling Dyke - Salisbury - 11 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.
See photos of the walk
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Saturday
4th September - Stark Trekkers - Pevensey Perambulation - 6.5
Miles
A
walk in open country across the marshy, remote-feeling landscape
of the Pevensey Levels, returning over riverside fields from
Rickney.
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Thursday 9th September
- Nat Ram - Friston Forest - 11 Miles
This is a beautiful
walk, the basis of which featured in our first 1993 programme
and is still a favourite, with forest, open downs and precipitous
chalk cliffs. After a short bus ride, 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 towards Birling Gap.
See photos of the walk
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Tuesday
21st September - Nat Ram - Grovely - Salisbury - 11 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.
See photos of the walk
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Wednesday 29th September
- Nat Ram - Charlbury - 10 Miles
This was last walked
in 2012. It is an attractive circuit through the rolling Cotswold
Hills with woods and hedgerows providing plenty of opportunities
to walk nude. Our route takes us through the impressive grounds
of Ditchley Park. This former stately home is now an international
conference centre.
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Thursday
7th October - Nat Ram - Leith Hill - Dorking - 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.
See photos of the walk
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Thursday
14th October - Stark Trekkers - Eggringe Fungal Foray - 3 to
6 Miles
This
is new venture combining a shorter walk than usual with a fungus
foray in what is a prime habitat at this time of year. Should
it turn out to be a poor season for fungi the walk element can
be extended. It is expected that Eggringe and Denge Woods in
East Kent will be the venue for this event. Further details will
appear in the Naturist Ramblers newsletter nearer the time. In
the meantime if you are interested in a naturist naturalist ramble
in search of fungus, put the date in your diary!
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Wednesday
10th November Stark Trekkers - Rother Ramble - 6.5 Miles
This
will be a straight-forward there-and-back walk along quiet footpaths
over the Rother Levels on the Kent/Sussex border west of the
village of Iden.
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Wednesday
22nd December Stark Trekkers - A Brightling Christmas - 7 Miles
Let
us hope that the weather will not be Scrooge-like for this pre-Christmas
ramble in the Brightling area of East Sussex. There is much varied
countryside on this route which has a distinctly remote feel
in places considering it is in the crowded south-east!
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