This page contains information and links to other pages which may be helpful to anyone wishing to walk with us.

Non-members please note: Membership of the Group is restricted to paid-up members of the Ramblers' Association, but prospective members are welcome to attend up to three rambles before feeling obliged to join.

Please let us know of any errors, deficiencies, or comments about the information, using the "Contacts" page on this website.

First of all see the Ramblers' note "Information for walkers" - click here to download it. 

The Countryside Code may be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code 

The following additional points may be helpful.

Preparing for the walk

For details of walks, including meeting point, (approximate!) length, terrain and other information see the Walks Programme page in this web-site. Choose a suitable walk for your fitness level.

Key to abbreviations you may see in the Epsom and Ewell Group Walks Programme:

• CP = Car park
• GR = Ordnance Survey Grid Reference
• SSA = Philips Surrey Street Atlas - 1996 to date - please make sure it is 3½ inches to 1 mile and that Epsom is shown on page 76
• NT = National Trust. Non members can pay for parking by mobile phone or credit card; members should be able to get a free parking ticket using their NT membership card.
• Stn. = Railway Station

Each walk is graded according to the Ramblers "National Grades" - click here to download the list of grades and their definitions.

Please carry your completed "In Case of Emergency" (ICE) card with you on the walk. (Keeping it in a zip-up plastic freezer bag or similar may help to keep it dry and legible!) You may be able to obtain an ICE card by

• Asking the Walk Leader who may have a few blank cards
• Contacting David using the "Contacts" page on this website
• Downloading a  blank pdf file of the ICE card and printing it - click here to download it.

Be prepared for rough or muddy ground and rain, wear stout footwear and always carry rainwear. The leader has the right to decline to take inadequately attired walkers.

A small first aid kit is advisable. Ramblers suggest a "personal ‘ouch pouch’. This might contain painkillers, blister plasters or any personal medication you may need, such as antihistamines."  The Ramblers main website gives a few suggestions about first aid kits at https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking-hub/walking-first-aid-kit-what-do-i-need-bring

Travelling to the walk

Please check the walk listing on this website (or telephone the Walk Leader) before starting out in case the starting venue is changed or the walk is cancelled or changed due to unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather conditions, e.g. heavy snow fall, continuous heavy rain, exceptionally high winds.

Start times given are the intended time we start walking - please allow plenty of time for your journey and endeavour to arrive ten minutes before the start of the walk. Finish times given are rough estimates and are not guaranteed.

Start and meeting points include nearest postcode, and a 6-figure Ordnance Survey grid reference accurate to 100m. See OS maps for an explanation of how to use grid references. Use postcodes with care - in rural areas the nearest postcode may be some distance from the actual start point. The What3Words reference or the Philips Surrey Street Atlas are also usually provided.

On the walk

The Leader will take a register of all walkers on the walk, including mobile phone numbers (in case the group gets divided) and emergency contact phone numbers (just in case of accidents). Please provide as much of the info as you feel able to provide - or else carry your completed ICE card in your rucksack. The register will be destroyed after the walk.

Carry sufficient food and drink; food cannot be guaranteed at a stop for lunch at a pub. Please do not consume your own food and drink in a pub. It helps our relationship with pub landlords if you would remove muddy boots or cover them with plastic bags on entry.

On roads with no foot-ways, keep to the right, so as to face oncoming traffic. Walk in single file on paths through ploughed land or crops, including grass for hay.

You can help the Leader by making certain you do not walk ahead of the Leader or get out of touch with the party. You should inform the Leader or Back Marker (see below) if you wish to stop or leave before the end of the walk. Make sure you stay in view of the walkers ahead of you and those behind you, especially at path junctions - phone the Leader if the group gets divided.

The role of the Back Marker

When the group consists of more than a few people the Leader may ask for a volunteer to act as "Back Marker". It would be helpful if each of us could take an occasional turn as back marker. This important role is intended to

• to show the other walkers where the back of the group is
• to be aware of any walker who has dropped behind 
• to inform the leader (by whistle blast or phone call) if any walker is having difficulty
• to watch out for traffic approaching from behind when on a road.