Are the walks suitable for children?
How do I join North East London Ramblers?
Can I use my TFL Travelcard for discounts on National Rail?
Is a Network Railcard worth buying?
What National Rail discounts exist for people aged 60+?
What Exceptions Apply to Freedom Passes & 60 Plus Oyster Cards?
What should I bring? Can I bring my dog?
Who are the Walks Leaders? How many people go on the walks?
What insurance does the Group have? How can I find out more about the Ramblers?
Who can walk with the Group?
Our walks are open to any member of the Ramblers (though under 18's must be accompanied). Anyone who is considering joining The Ramblers is also welcome to come on our walks two or three times, to see if it's their "cup of tea". Please join the Ramblers if you then wish to continue walking with a group. We are not insured for non-members after three trial walks, or non-members who are visiting the UK or people who have no interest in joining the Ramblers. Back to Top
Are the walks suitable for children?
Most of our walks are not suitable for children, so please accept that the leader might not be prepared to take children on a particular walk. Please check with the leader at least a few days in advance of the walk. Children under 18 who come on our walks must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or other adult authorised to care for them. Back to Top
How do I join North East London Ramblers?
If you wish to be allocated to our group, please ask Ramblers Head Office to transfer your membership. You can do this online, if you have signed up for a Ramblers account. Login to your Ramblers account, click My Account, then scroll down to find Manage Your Groups. If you click My Groups, you can view and change your allocated group. Alternatively, you can send an email request, including your name and membership number, to
How do I get to a walk?
Walk descriptions give start and finish details, including the train to catch. If you take an alternative route and arrive late, or miss the recommended train, it is unlikely that the group will be able to wait for you.
Leaders endeavour to keep the website updated as the day of their walk approaches, but train times sometimes change unexpectedly, even on the day of a walk, which is beyond the leader's control. When there is time, leaders can send emails about changes to members of the NELR Google Group, so it is a good idea to sign up. Always check the times with National Rail before a walk and see if there has been an email from the NELR Google Group.
If you want to join the NELR Google Group, ask Annette or Laura through our Group Contacts page. Back to Top
What tickets should I buy?
Walk descriptions will give outline details of tickets for the recommended journeys. If you are taking an alternative route, the walk leader will be unable to advise and you should check with National Rail or TFL. Details of some fare discounts are given below, but the walk leader is unable to advise on how they will apply to your particular circumstances.
Be aware that advance tickets might not be suitable for some walks, eg when we are breaking the rail journey before the final destination. If you are in any doubt, ask at the ticket office.
If you travel on Transport for London (TFL) services to the station and don't qualify for free off-peak travel, you may wish to buy an Oyster Card, or you can use contactless payment to touch in and out. It can be considerably more expensive to buy paper tickets, so they are best avoided.
Details of TFL fares may be found Here.
A map of London's Rail and Tube services may be found Here. Back to Top
Can I use my TFL Travelcard for discounts on National Rail?
If you have a Travelcard, you can use any National Rail services within the card's Zones, except for some airport express trains or high speed services and subject to time restrictions of the Travelcard. If you are travelling beyond what is permitted by your Travelcard then you can purchase a Boundary Zone ticket to or from the station outside of London.
For example, if you have a 7-Day Zones 1 to 3 Travelcard and wanted to travel to Brighton, you can buy a London Boundary Zone 3 to Brighton Day Return ticket from staffed National Rail ticket offices and a few self-service ticket machines. The train you are on does not need to call at a station within Zone 3 to be valid. Boundary tickets can be sold in the opposite direction as well (e.g. Brighton to London Boundary Zone 3). If buying online you will probably need to buy a ticket from the last station in the travel zone, but this can restrict the route you take.
Annual Travelcards are called Gold Cards and they are also Network Railcards, with the discount applying on National Rail travel at weekends and bank holidays, and from 09.30 on weekdays. Further details of benefits are found here .
Travelcard discounts do not apply to some airport express and high speed trains, but Network Railcard or Gold Card discounts apply on high speed trains.
If in doubt, ask at the ticket office. Back to Top
Is a Network Railcard worth buying?
If you are planning on doing more than six or seven walks a year and you're under 60, it is probably worth getting an annual Network Railcard. This will give you a 33% reduction on the return fare for journeys in London and the South East, in addition to any Travelcard discount. It applies during the weekend and gives reductions on many other off-peak fares during the week, usually starting from 10.00. Another three adults can travel with you and get a discount on your card.
Details of the Network Railcard are available here.
A map of the Network Railcard area, also showing the main Oyster Zone 6 boundary stations, can be accessed here. Download Network Rail Map Back to Top
What National Rail discounts exist for people aged 60+?
If you are aged over 60 you might find it more useful to buy a Senior Railcard, as this gives 33% reductions on off-peak travel for most National Rail network journeys and usually applies to journeys starting in London from 09.30 on weekdays and all day at weekends and bank holidays. You also get a discount on high speed trains, eg to Ashford International.
Residents of London boroughs can use their Freedom Pass or 60 Plus Oyster Card for free off-peak National Rail travel within the TFL Zones (all day at weekends and Bank Holidays and after 09.30 on weekdays). You do not usually need to buy a ticket for rail travel that is entirely within the TFL Zones, but see the exceptions below. There are no Oyster or Freedom Pass discounts on any journeys on high speed trains and you need to buy a ticket (see below).
A map of the Freedom Pass travel area can be found here.
A map of the 60 Plus Oyster Card travel area can be found here.
To get both of the above discounts on a National Rail journey that is going beyond the Zones, ask for a ticket with a Freedom Pass/60 Plus Oyster Card and a Senior Railcard. You usually get a ticket from boundary Zone 6.
Some ticket machines at stations do not offer tickets from boundary Zone 6, and it can be difficult to buy them on machines that do. If this is the case, ask at the ticket office or enter the last station in Zone 6 for the starting station (the train you catch doesn't need to stop at the last station in Zone 6).
If buying online, Freedom Pass and 60 Plus Oyster holders can buy a ticket from the last station in Zone 6 along the route you are travelling. For example, if you want a return ticket to Huntingdon from boundary Zone 6, you should buy a return from Hadley Wood (and remember to add your Senior Railcard).
The Network Rail Map in the previous question is useful for checking journey routes and TFL zone boundaries. Back to Top
What Exceptions Apply to Freedom Passes & 60 Plus Oyster Cards?
The Freedom Pass and 60 Plus Oyster Card also give free off-peak travel on National Rail trains to stations shared with the Metropolitan Line that are beyond Zone 6, eg Chorleywood or Amersham.
You cannot use Freedom Passes or 60 Plus Oyster Cards on some airport express trains and high speed rail services, though the Senior Railcard and Network Card might be accepted. Also, some rail companies, mainly those offering long-distance services, do not give discounts for the Freedom Pass or 60 Plus Oyster Card.
There are also some stations where you can travel free off-peak on the Overground, but will have to pay for a ticket if you travel there on National Rail, eg journeys between Enfield Lock and Cheshunt, or between Harrow & Wealdstone and Watford Junction.
Off-peak travel to Heathrow Airport on the Elizabeth Line or Piccadilly Line is free for Freedom Pass and 60 Plus Oyster holders.
The Elizabeth Line to Reading is free off-peak for Freedom Pass holders, but 60 Plus Oyster Card holders must pay for travel beyond West Drayton. Free off-peak travel for Freedom Pass holders is not available for National Rail journeys beyond West Drayton and a ticket is necessary.
The Elizabeth Line to Shenfield is free off-peak to Freedom Pass and 60 Plus Oyster Card holders. Free off-peak travel does not apply on National Rail journeys between Harold Wood and Shenfield, so a ticket is necessary.
If in doubt, ask at the ticket office. Back to Top
What should I wear to a walk?
The general answer to this is "be prepared". We all know the weather can change suddenly!
Stout walking boots with a cleated sole are recommended, particularly when the route is uneven, muddy or icy and the risk of slipping over is greater. Trainers or similar are not acceptable, unless you know for sure that the walk has firm, flat footpaths and will not be muddy. If you do not wear appropriate footwear, you risk the safty of yourself and others in the group, and the leader could refuse to take you on the walk. Do make sure your boots are comfortable and you have some walking socks to go with them. At the lunch venue, be prepared to remove muddy footwear or cover them with work boot covers or plastic bags/pedal bin liners/shower caps.
Bring a waterproof jacket - these can be very light and fit easily in a small rucksack. If the weather is cold wrap up well with a fleece, jacket, hat and gloves to keep you warm. Also, consider adding a warm layer under your trousers. Gaiters keep mud off legs/socks/trousers. If it is really wet, waterproof overtrousers will keep your legs dry.
On hot, sunny days, a sun hat and sun cream are recommended, to protect you from burning.
The Ramblers has teamed up with Cotswold Outdoor where you'll get a 15% discount on most items. The following are some of the other retailers who specialise in outdoor gear:
The North Face has a shop in Stratford Westfield. For those of you who live or shop in Camden, The Outdoor Emporium provides a personal and friendly service. Decathlon also stocks outdoor gear and there is a branch at Canada Water. Paramo is popular with keen walkers; it's London store has closed but the website gives details of stockists.
You might get a discount with your Ramblers Membership Card - always ask! Back to Top
What should I bring?
Ensure you bring plenty to drink, so you don't become dehydrated. You will need more water in hot weather. There's usually a short mid-morning break, so have some fruit or a snack for that; bananas and snack bars are popular. Other snacks and a packed lunch (if you are not having a pub lunch) are important for maintaining energy levels. A salty snack can help to avoid getting muscle cramps, if you need to replace salts lost through perspiration.
In summer, you should also bring sun cream, sunglasses and a sun hat.
You should carry a personal supply of plasters, antisceptic wipes and anything you use for bites, stings or headaches. If you suffer from blisters or corns, you may also wish to bring some ointment and pads/plasters, though you should consider if a pre-existing condition is going to impact on your ability to keep up with the group.
In Case of Emergency Card - to record your important medical information and emergency contact details. You can download and print a card Here or you can make your own. Keep it in the outside pocket of your backpack or bag.
A tick removal tool or kit and insect repellent are good precautions against Lyme Disease. Click Here for advice about removing ticks. Back to Top
Can I bring my dog?
If you wish to bring a dog, please contact the walk leader at least a few days in advance, as this is at their discretion. If you do bring a dog, you must ensure that it is kept under control and that it is on a short lead at all times. We welcome assistance dogs, that have been trained to help their owner with needs related to their disability or health condition, but please still check with the leader a few days in advance, to ensure that the walk is suitable for dogs. Back to Top
Who are the walks leaders?
Anyone who is prepared to lead a walk! They are unpaid volunteers who give up their spare time to lead walks, setting the route and pace and deciding on stops. We are always in need of new leaders, so if you would like to be a leader or would like to know what is involved, ask Laura Jacobs or speak to the leader on any walk.
Potential leaders can prepare walks of any type, length, or location. It's essential that leaders are Ramblers members and the walk is accessible by public transport. Leaders may be able to claim expenses associated with preparation of the walk. Back to Top
How many people go on the walks?
Fortunately, only a small proportion of our membership of 400 or thereabouts attend any one walk! On most Saturdays there are usually 12 to 25 on a walk. Back to Top
What insurance does the Group have?
The main purpose of the insurance The Ramblers holds is to cover claims by a third party against walks leaders or walkers on our group walks. If you wish to cover yourself against injury, loss of earnings etc, you should arrange insurance for yourself, as you would for a holiday. We are insured for all UK and overseas Ramblers members.
There is no insurance cover in respect of people who have not joined the Ramblers after three trial walks, people who are not UK residents or studying here, unless they are members, or other people without any interest in joining The Ramblers. The main exception is for individuals considering joining The Ramblers, who are covered for up to three walks.
A summary guide to the Ramblers' insurance policy can be downloaded here: Download Guide to Ramblers Insurance. Back to Top
How can I find out more about the Ramblers?
Full details of The Ramblers, a Registered Charity, are on its website: www.ramblers.org.uk. Back to Top
Photo Copyright Annette Warrick 2022