15-MILE HIKE & WILD CAMP IN HEAVY RAIN | Thames Down Link

The Thames Down Link has been on my short hike bucket list for a while now and so it's nice to have finally done it! I start very early in Kingston/London, in pouring rain, and begin the 15 mile walk out of suburbia to the Surrey Hills and North Downs. This is served well by public transport at each end. You could also do it in one day if you wished.

Thanks for watching.

[morrislouiseeagle]

Have visitors will watch tomorrow x lol - rain mud good grub beer and a cheeky wild camp marvelous thanks for sharing this with us

[kimberlym]

You Brits are so brave to hike and camp in such conditions! I'm so curious what other camp food creations you come up with. I'm inspired to start making my own camp food.

[stevesidebottom]

Loved this. I've lived in Kingston ten years but somehow never heard of this path! I'll be walking it now. Thanks!

[MR-lyxt]

Lovely video, Ben. Shame about the wet, muddy start, but it was a great walk and camp. I agree with you about wraps, much less bulky than sandwiches. Dehydrated meals are extortionate!

[gavinwallbank]

Nice vid, you’re absolutely right makes for great thru hike training 👍

[sharrison]

Well done for braving the rain and wind. Glad you got to drink all of the beer this time!

[holtella]

Great video Ben! Way to go avoiding the overnight falling branches. Stay safe out there.

[seasoldier]

Simple but a good choice of scran for your evening meal. That was a typical choice of things to eat when I was on the AT. Other items would be sachets of tuna, or chicken, with powdered mashed potato powder. You are only restricted by your imagination! Loads of recipes in the cloud to choose from. You could invest in a drier to dehydrate food and make your own meals!

[BourneOutside]

That was a good trip out, Ben. Just watched this all cosy on my sofa 😊
A good little spot to shack up and yes, the winter nights are long out there when solo.
Good stuff mate 😉👍🏼

[ChrisWoutdoors]

Nice one Ben, was nice to see the Berrylands sign, my grandparents lived in Addlestone on a caravan park when I was a child and we would pass Berrylands station on the little train back when they had slam doors and were made of wood...lol. Thank you for sharing It reminds me I need to do some filming down that way in a little woodland with a small river where my Grandad taught me to fish, a special part of the world for me... ATB Chris.

[seancashin]

I really enjoyed that vid, mate. For me, it's not just about the actual walk. I enjoy the cafe stops, the public transport links, the interactions, etc. The TD link is now on my list 👍

[ramblingracheltrailtales]

Hi Ben, sometimes the outdoors calls and the only remedy is camping, regardless of the season. Thanks for taking us along with you. Have a good Christmas x

[derekmcmanus]

Had to jump off before the end because Leanne called from Dublin but excellent video Ben...really enjoyed the juxtaposition between the cityscape and the countryside 👍 big 👍

[neemancallender]

Excellent video
Lots of great talking
I have the Helm 1
Yes a superb tent
I have the old version that is fully mesh
Much cooler in the warmer weather
But cooler in cool weather
I have a cooking setup for this type of tent
I cook real food
Similar to what you showed and sometimes red lentils and quinoa
It is a Fire Maple 1 liter pot with a heat exchanger
Fire Maple remote titanium stove
The windshield like yours
It is very stable and very low to cook in the vestibule door
Simmer control is amazing
It simmers on low flame because of the heat exchanger
That means minimal fuel consumption
Large canister lasts weeks
The 1 liter pot is easily big enough to cook pasta and source
And it is low down and easy to stir
Again you are doing great stuff

[ervinslens]

You always have brilliant atmosphere, this upload is fantastic! Love it bud 👏👏

[SoloSarahBX]

Brilliant! Love this already…my brother lived in London for years and this video reminded me of escaping back to Sheffield after a lovely visit with him and the fam. So good that you can enjoy a hike out and find green space not that far from our capital city 🌆 I am also not put off by the rain and I am looking forward to multi day hikes next year 👍🏻 great vid thank you! ATB, Sarah

[daleyoutdoors]

Great stuff 🫡 nice to see these shorter routes 🤓

[kevandrewsoutdoors]

Nice little vid ben iv just got back from a night out myself
Please keep up the good work

[ducatimann]

Great idea doing the lesser known walks one to add to the list ...try the stunning dover to folkestone cliff top walk WOW!...love to see you cover that ...good informative video as always

[o.bsoutdoors]

Good on you for getting out anyway despite the miserable UK weather 🌧🙈. Mind you, we think if we waited for good weather before heading out at this time of year none of us would ever go anywhere 😂🙈. Fair play to you for camping over though👍. Sometimes a good walk and a camp is very much needed for good mental health, especially at this chaotic time of year 🎄. Loved this trail, who would have thought it so close to London, must have felt great escaping the city for a short time and getting some headspace. Glad to see the beer wasn't spilt this time too 🍻👌. We hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas Ben, and all the very best for 2024.
Shell and Pete 😊👊🎄👍