Colley Hill Panoramas & Epsom Downs Crossing - 12 miles / 19km

Do this walk because - of the magnificent North Downs views\, and enjoy the rare thrill of striding straight across the famous Epsom Downs Racecourse (no racing that day!).

We're doing this hike with Variety is the Spice Meetup group. Rob P will lead the walk.

Walk Facts
Distance: Approximately 12 miles / 19km
Duration: Walking time circa 5 hours 45 mins incl. lunch stop.
Grade: Moderate. We will maintain a steady pace over varied surfaces. There are some hills with a total ascent of 883ft / 269m.
Donation to GOSH: £5 cash on the day.
What to take: A packed lunch (essential) and plenty of water.
Also, we're not insured, so please have your own insurance for this type of activity.

Walk description
A 12-mile linear walk through some of the most scenic stretches of the Surrey countryside. The walk initially takes us through the grounds of Gatton Park, then gently upwards on to the North Downs escarpment. We will pass Reigate Fort, and the unique memorial to a crashed WW2 bomber.
Our picnic lunch break will be atop Colley Hill, with magnificent views southwards over the Surrey Hills. In the afternoon, we’ll pass through a variety of woods, fields, heaths and paddocks, before walking directly over Epsom Downs Gallops and Racecourse, with a good view of the grandstand.
We will finish in Epsom town centre, with the option of drinks before making our way home from the nearby Epsom Station.

Picnic lunch stop at Colley Hill. There is no cafe, pub or shop option, so a packed lunch is essential.

Meeting at
Merstham Railway station at 10.40 am. We'll start walking at 10.45 am.
We will monitor train arrivals and can wait a reasonable time if a
recommended train is running late.

Travel
The trip starts in Merstham and ends in Epsom, so you'll need two singles:
Recommended trains from London either 9.54 am from London Blackfriars (via East Croydon) arriving 10.31, or the 10.08 from Victoria (via Clapham Junction and East Croydon) arriving at 10.41.
Cost of a single is £13.30.
Return trains from Epsom run to Waterloo, Victoria and London Bridge.
Cost of a single is £6.30. Four trains an hour go back to London.
Contactless is available at both stations. Ticket cost can reduce by a third with a Network Rail Card or Group Save.

Travelling by car is not recommended due to the complexity of public transport travel between Epsom and Merstham.

1. The perilous bit
2. Our FAQs, including an explanation of group save tickets which will save you money.
3. See here for what to wear and take. Specifically make sure you bring good hiking boots and that you are ready for muddy conditions or uneven terrain.

AND FINALLY
We're raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children
We’ll deduct Meetup fees but all the profits will go to GOSH. After each hike, we’ll let you know exactly how much we’ve all raised. And if you’d like to join us and raise money by leading some hikes, please get in touch – the more the merrier 😊