South Bank Group
You're welcome to try a free walk with us before taking up membership. For a sample programme, please send a large stamped addressed envelope to John Pestle, 50 Doverfield Road, London SW2 5NB, or e-mail Mike Biggs at mikebiggs4@aol.com. Once you have joined the South Bank Group you will be sent a full list of walks for this season which will include all the details you need – dates, train times, travel information and the leaders’ contact details.
A basic guide to walks
There is no need to book – just turn up at the designated meeting point, usually a railway station. A group of Ramblers is easy to spot! Rain or other weather conditions (short of an actual blizzard) don't stop us from walking. Any member of the Ramblers' Association is welcome on our walks.
Who organises the walk
All walks are organised by Leaders. Leaders are volunteers, they will not treat you as a school party, and there is much you can do to help make their roles trouble-free. Keep the leader or the main party in sight and if a problem arises, then let the leader know!
Timings and travel arrangements
Leaders do their best to gauge distance and difficulty, but these estimates may not be exact. The timing of a walk can vary depending on conditions and the pace of the slowest walker. It is unwise, therefore, to buy tickets to the theatre with starting times soon after you expect to return to London.
Nearly all our walks are accessible by public transport. Sometimes there can be travel delays due to weekend engineering works in which case the walk will be re timed as neccessary. If in doubt please check with the leader, or phone the national rail helpline on 08457 48 49 50.
Clothing and equipment
The best advice is to come prepared. We advise stout, waterproof shoes or boots that are suitable for paths which can be slippery or muddy even in the height of summer. Depending on the time of year you may also need gloves, hat, scarf, sunscreen, sunglasses and waterproofs.
You should always carry water and emergency rations in case none are found en route. A mobile phone is useful in case you get separated from the rest of the party, and basic first aid items as the leader doesn’t carry these for the group.
What about food?
Leaders generally try to find a pub that serves food, or you can bring your own. If you've brought a picnic lunch, please be prepared to find a convenient spot to eat it (many pubs object to walkers eating their own food on the premises). Longer walks may include an afternoon tea stop.