Recommendations for a solo walking break within two hours of London

[YukkatoYukka]

Ive got the opportunity to take a 2-3 night solo break in May or June (not during half term) to recharge and destress. I would ideally like to go somewhere accessible by public transport, no more than 2 hrs from London, with the opportunity for (safe) solo, long walks.

any recommendations?

The Thames Path

Where do you like to walk? Woodland? Coastal? Do you like longer walks where you move from place to place, or circular walks where you return to your original embarkation point? Any other things we need to be aware of before we make suggestions - like you can't do hills or similar?

The new forest is lovely, or Wool in Dorset for Lulworth cove. I’ve done that solo before it was lush

Either woodland or coastal is lovely! I can walk on any terrain - my only concern is safety

the problem is I don’t drive so all walks need to be accessible by public transport. With just 2 or 3 nights I think I will probably have to do circular walks and stay in one base.

South Downs - train to Lewis and buses or taxi. Severn sisters to alfriston is gorgeous and my favourite section but a bit further along you’ve got some great circular walks with pubs.

another option is train to rampage and walk the coastal path - stunning but very flat and best in decent weather

Rampage = Ramsgate !!!

I was going to suggest Seven Sisters - kind of enjoying Rampage for Ramsgate!

Another choice is Box Hill - there is a hike if you have a google that goes across National Trust property - literally called The Hike! Also the Stepping Stones walk, Happy Valley circular walk and the Hilltop stroll. I think there is a Ranmore walk where you can visit the vineyard (Denbie's).

Have a lovely time!

Isle of Wight

Train to Portsmouth, foot ferry takes 20 mins
Public transport on the island very good and connects with the ferry

Parts of the South Downs Way can be done using public transport, and it’s beautiful in May or June.

Amberley > Lewes is about 30 miles, so two days, or add a day/16 miles to continue to Eastbourne.

Or at the other end, Winchester to Amberley is also doable over 3 days (it’s about 50 miles) but I think is less interesting, doesn’t fall as well into roughly equal distances per day.

https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/south-downs-way/

I agree the Kent coast path is good. Buses and railway follow the coast, so you can walk as far as you feel like then get public transport back at the end of the day. And there's plenty of interest to see if you don't fancy walking all the time.

Ramsgate Travelodge, overlooking the Harbour, is a good base.

Winchester to Portsmouth Pilgrim’s Way.

https://www.britishpilgrimage.org/portfolio/pilgrims-trail

You can continue it in France down to Mont St Michel.

https://ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Pilgrims%27+Trail

South Downs

Isle of Wight. I travelled from London by train and ferry, and had three days there on my own walking and staying in B&Bs last year. Beautiful, safe and rather like travelling back in time.

Great suggestions, thank you! I have lots to research

Have a lovely time - I haven't lived in England for a while, but if you ever decide to pop across to Wales I have millions of suggestions for you! All involving either amazing beaches, cliffs, waterfalls, valleys, mountains... oh and a pub or two along the way for necessary refreshment. Enjoy your break!

Download Maps.me and you’ll see all the footpaths in every area. Is v accurate and you’ll be able to go on less travelled paths from one gorgeous village to another, do all sorts of circular walks, etc.

Quick train to Dorking and you can walk from there in so many directions. I did a long walk at the weekend around Westcott and other villages in the area, stopping at various pubs to recharge.

I can’t recommend Maps.me enough. I used to get on a train from London at the weekend and get off at random stations and walk all day, listening to audiobooks. Pure happiness

Absolutely love the South Downs and Alfriston . Cannot fault the Alfriston Hotel,amazing Spa and outdoor pool heated at 28c even in April. Fantastic coffee shops and quirky arty shops,likewise in Lewes. Peacehaven to Brighton is a lovely walk ,dropping into Rottingdean and more lovely shops etc .
The pilgrims Way at foot of Northdowns is lovely. Eynsford,Shoreham,otford ,Kemsing ,loads of circular walks over North Downs.

Also just remembered for a much quicker and easier option, get the train to Otford and you can pick up the North Downs Way there’s great circular walk from there about 6 miles and only 40 mins by train.

Is the Jurassic Coast within 2 hours of London? Can't be far out, especially not the Isle of Purbeck end...

You can follow the South West Coast Path, and there are regular buses along the coast to take you back to your starting point. It's absolutely stunning.

Ah, I just checked, Wareham is 2 and a half hours, Weymouth 3....Weymouth wouldn't be a bad place for a non driver to base themselves though.

Have a look at ‘girls who walk to pubs’ on instagram - they do loads of 10+km day walks that start and finish at local train stations within a few hours from London - South Downs, Cotswolds, Chilterns etc - they stop at stunning pubs and also do routes that take in things like wild swimming and saunas off the beaten track in woodlands. Sounds fun - have a great time.

Isle of Wight is good lots of footpaths all in good condition plenty of buses.