I am taking a family vacation to England in August. Spending most of our time in London and the surrounding area (Kew, Windsor, etc.). I’d like to activate a SOTA and hopefully a POTA during my time. Ideally, the Summit and Park will be 1) part of a scenic hiking area 2) near a town which would be interesting to visit and 3) not the most difficult in terms of transportation logistics. I’ll be with my wife and two boys, who also enjoy hiking and being outdoors. Not opposed to a nice long train ride to get to the best location.
Above you say “most of the time” do you have any specific plans for other locations?
Anyway… back to the London area.
Of all the summits around London my personal favourite has been Leith Hill. A lovely woodland, but also open enough to allow views, plus of course there is the tower to see. Check opening hours though. https://sotl.as/summits/G/SE-002
I’m not sure the exact best public transport option. But I would guess a train to Dorking and taxi would work out OK.
Edit: my experience with 2m FM anywhere in the SE of England has been very poor. Best to have access to HF kit.
I guess a train to Lewes and then a bit of a walk to Cliffe Hill G/SE-014 might also be an option, but it’s not the most inspiring summit, and there’s the golf course to avoid (or negotiate with).
Leith Hill, G/SE-002, is a lovely spot. If you’re after a decent stroll, then you can walk from Holmwood station as detailed on this site: Walking Guide
Note that Holmwood station is closed on Sundays though!
Also worth keeping in mind that Leith Hill is a very popular spot with locals, which can get busy during peak hours. It’s unlikely you’d have the summit to yourself unless you were there early or late in the day!
Another one in this area to consider would be Firle Beacon, G/SE-010 which you can walk to from Southease station. One stop away from Lewes. From my memory it takes around 1.5 hours to walk to the summit from there with some lovely view from the South Down on a clear day. A bit further away from London of course.
One thing to bear in mind is that weekend train travel can sometimes be disrupted due to the dreaded engineering works, so it’s worth checking carefully closer to the time!
Hope you have a great trip to England, with hopefully an activation or two as an added bonus!
Thanks for the detailed info Matthew. Really appreciate it.
We have decided to stay at an apartment in London for the entire 8 day stay. Easier for us to take day trips out of London than trying to lug everything with us. Think the wife might let me have a single SOTA day solo, so appreciate all the options and info gents.
If you just have one day… then another possibility is to find someone local and do a joint activation, using their kit. Saving you carrying all that radio gear for just a single day out.
I employed this to great effect in Australia and New Zealand with single summits activated with four local amateurs in VK2, VK3, ZL1 and ZL3. It was actually a great choice. I got to meet some enthusiastic other activators and enjoyed their company as well as havng the technicalities of transport etc. sorted out.
Someone local in the London area might pop up if you ask? Probably in a separate thread.
Of course it may not suit your style and you may of course wish to go it alone.
That’s a great idea and I’ve always enjoyed doing SOTA with others.
I’ll ask in a separate thread as I get closer - but asking now… Anyone who wants to show a bloke some summits in England in August? I’d be happy to bring some gifts from the states to repay the hospitality!
Hi Chris, @N8PEM
I work near Kew, so in and out of London regularly.
IMHO, the closest scenic area to London for hiking is the South Downs, a chalk ridge which I highly Recommend. Some great pubs on route for lunch too. Summits on the downs are G/SE-011, G/SE-010, G/SE-014, G/SE-006, G/SE-009.
It can be accessed by train/taxi if your ambitious, or just hire a car for the day.
Happy to suggest an itinerary or reach out nearer the time.
Some pictures of Shadow the spaniel chilling on the South Downs.
Depends on previous experience. If I had never (or rarely) driven on the left-hand side of the road before, I wouldn’t want to start by driving a strange right-hand-drive rental car (probably with manual transmission) on London’s or Greater London’s heavily congested and narrow [by American standards] roads. Could be the vacation from hell.
A taxi or public transport would less risk and less stress.
I have lots of experience driving, from big drill rigs, fire fighting apparatus, manual transmissions from Corollas to Frieghtliners… but have decided against renting a car in England. Just another logistic to add into a lot of other logistics. Trying to simplify where I can.
Love getting all this info and all these options though. Excited to get an activation in where SOTA all started.
