Michael's Outdoor Events 2025
*Information Site*
This site gives members up to date information of 2025 events organised by Michael
All photos are taken by members, the images on this site will be the views you will experience on your event.
Bon Fire Day walk + and Hastings Coastal walk
Celebrate the biggest Bon Fire/Guy Fawkes show in the country with thousands of performers parading in costumes holding lit fire torches. It's fantastic if you have not seen it before, the drums, bands, music, noise & fireworks, the best night carnival. The next time this event will next be held during a weekend is 2028, as 5th November falls on a Sunday, the celebration will take place on the Saturday 4th November. For the next five years this event will take place during on 5th November which will be a weekday.
This event starts from Coulsdon South Station (zone 6) Saturday 4th November morning at 11am with a short drive to Lewes and a 3-4 hours walk along the South Downs. From 5pm we will enter Lewes for this spectacular event and experience the fantastic parade. I have booked a restaurant with a great viewpoint of the the parade. I have experienced this spectacular for many years and below are a few of the political figures that are mocked and paraded around the streets of Lewes and then set on fire at the fireworks (Boris, Kin you-un, Trump, Putin, Liz Truss etc)
Next morning on Sunday 5th, we will have a late start after breakfast and start our full day's walk along the East Sussex coastline from the lovely fishing coastal town of Hastings and walk towards Rye. We will arrive back to Coulsdon South Station (South London Zone 6) by 6pm on Sunday. Please be aware, if you plan to attend this event independently the trains to/from Lewes will be closed that Saturday afternoon and vehicle access to Lewes are closed with a wide perimeter from 4pm. More info + cost below after the images.
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COST: £210 for this 2 day event inclusive of the 2 day walks, transportation and accommodation with 2 sharing at a Premium Inn hotel in Crawley. Excludes all meals.
Transportation: The cars/minibus transportation is provided if departing from Coulsdon South Station (zone 6) on Saturday 4th, 11am morning and return back to the same station on Sunday 5th by 6pm . I will sort out all of the transportation logistics for the whole group. Organise the departure point, exchange drivers and members contact details in advance and ensure the drivers get to every location during the event on time. All my volunteer drivers are experienced, regular and confident drivers.
Accommodation: We will be staying at a Premier Inn hotel for the Saturday night with 2 sharing with en-suite bathrooms. Room allocation will be based on gender. Possible to have your own room with a single supplement.
Saturday 4th November 2023
11:00 Meet at Coulsdon South Station (later than normal as we are watching the fireworks at 10pm)
11:10 - 12:00 Drive to start of our walk near Lewes
12:15 - 15:15 7 miles circular walk along the South Downs
15:15 - 15:30 Back to cars to collect warm gear + torch for parade
15:30 - 16:00 Walk to Lewes
16:00 - 16:45 Coffee/tea break
16:45 - 18:45 Watch the start of the parade
18:45 - 20:30 Dinner at ASK Italian restaurant
20:30 - 22:00 Watch the parade from street level
22:00 - 22:30 Walk to the Bon Fire site
Sunday 5th November 2023
08:00 - 09:00 Breakfast
09:10 - 10:30 Travel to Hastings, Arundel or Ashdown
10:30 - 15:30 Sunday walk
16:00 - 17:00 Cafe/refreshment break
17:00 - 18:30 Drive back to Coulsdon South Station
KIT LIST
Essentials:
Good waterproof jacket. Even with no rain forecasted a waterproof jacket can be used to keep your warm during our early morning starts and late evening.
Hiking boots (with good grip and ankle support) - don’t forget to bring good quality hiking socks
1 change of clothing. A few warm items for our early morning starts: base layer, warm fleece, gloves, beanie
Additional info: ear plugs (if you have sensitive ears as fire crackers are used). A small torch is essential.
Other items:
Wash kit. towels will be provided at the hotel. A daypack to hold your day kit (water, snacks, jacket)
Trainers to wear in the cars/minibus