A soulful R&B autumn hike up Ivinghoe Beacon and through the Ashridge Estate, chalk hills, golden woods, music and the grls.

The grls are heading out for a proper autumn hike up to Ivinghoe Beacon and through the Ashridge Estate. Chalk hills, golden woodland, views across three counties, and a playlist split between the two biggest voices of R&B. Music games along the way, so pick your side before you get on the train.

Your ticket does NOT include your train fare. You’ll need to book your own return to Tring (details below).

THE HIKE

Distance: 14.1km (8.8 miles) Duration: around 4 hours walking, about 5 hours with stops Difficulty: Moderate Elevation gain: 270 metres

A circular loop from Tring station. We head up through Aldbury Nowers onto Pitstone Hill, over Steps Hill and up to Ivinghoe Beacon (233m) for the big group shot, then into the woods for lunch before looping round to the Bridgewater Monument on the Ashridge Estate for a coffee stop, then back down to the station.

THE PLAN

Meet: London Euston, 9:10am

Train: 9:25am London Northwestern Railway.

It’ll show as Birmingham New Street on the board, NOT Tring, get off at Tring (arrive 10:02am)

Drivers: meet outside the Tring station entrance by 10:00am

Hike start: Tring station, 10:15am sharp Lunch: packed lunch in the woods after the Beacon, around 1pm

Coffee stop: Monument Café, Ashridge Estate toilets and hot drinks

Finish: Tring station, around 4pm

Train home: To Euston around 5pm

WHAT TO BRING

1.5–2 litres of water

Packed lunch and snacks, nowhere to buy food until the café around 2pm

Proper walking shoes or boots with grip

Waterproof and windproof jacket

Warm layers, hat and gloves, it’s November and the Beacon is exposed

Charged phone and power bank Any medication you need

TRAINS & TICKETS

Your ticket does NOT include your train fare.

Buy an Off-Peak Day Return: London Euston ↔ Tring.

Wait until after our weather call at 6pm on Saturday 7th November to buy it, or buy it on the morning. The price is the same either way.

If you do book early, choose an Off-Peak Day Return, not an Advance ticket. Flexible tickets can only be refunded until 11:59pm the day before travel (with a fee of up to £5), and Advance tickets can’t be refunded at all. SOULSURV can’t refund train tickets.

Sunday trains are off-peak all day.

Outbound: 9:25am from Euston, shown on the board as Birmingham New Street. It’s the only train to Tring that hour, so if you miss it, the next one gets in at 11:01am, after we’ve set off.

Return: trains back to Euston leave Tring every 30 minutes (at :15 and :45 past the hour).

Got a Railcard? Use it.

Travelling with friends? Check GroupSave when you buy.

Buy via the Trainline app or London Northwestern Railway’s website.

WEATHER & CANCELLATIONS

We hike in rain, mud and cold. It’s November, that’s part of it. We’ll only change plans if it’s genuinely unsafe: a Met Office weather warning for the area, strong winds on the exposed hills, hills that woudld be unsafe with too much rain, thunderstorms, snow or ice, or rail disruption that means we can’t get there.

We’ll make the final call by 6pm on Saturday 7th November and share it in the WhatsApp group. If anything changes overnight, we’ll message by 7:30am on Sunday. We suggest buying your train ticket nearer the day to see what the weather will be.

If we can’t go ahead, we’ll move the hike to a new date.

Can’t make it anymore? Please cancel your ticket on Eventbrite so someone on the waitlist can have your spot.

DRIVING

Tring Station Car Park, HP23 5QR, £8 on Sundays. It’s cashless, so pay with the Saba Parking app, website or the machine. Be at the station entrance by 10:05am.

SAFETY & CONDITIONS

Chalk and woodland paths get slippery after rain, proper footwear is essential. The Beacon and Steps Hill are exposed and the wind can be strong, bring layers. A few short road sections and crossings, stay with the group. Sunset is around 4:20pm, so we keep a steady pace. If we’re behind, we’ll shorten the route rather than finish in the dark. Stay between the leader and the sweeper at all times.

CONTENT & PHOTOS

We’ll be taking photos and videos throughout the day for SOULSURV’s social media. By attending, you consent to appearing in content that may be shared on our platforms. If you’d prefer not to be photographed, just tell us on the day.

By purchasing this ticket, you acknowledge that SOULSURV and its organisers are not liable for any injuries, accidents, losses, or incidents that may occur during this event. You participate at your own risk and are responsible for your own safety throughout the hike and travel.

🩷 See you at Euston

Description supplied by the event organiser.