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This Week's Walks - Archive

Please see the Saturday Walker's Club This Week's Walks page.

This is an archive of walks done by the Saturday Walker's Club. You should only need to use this page if the SWC website is down.

Monday 1 January 2018

New Year's Day Walk, South: Riddlesdown to Coulsdon South


A late(ish) start, and a very short journey from Central London, for your opening walk of 2018.
For a walk close to London and a pub open and serving lunch on NYD, the minor inconvenience of a 10 minute bus ride at the start of your journey home is hopefully acceptable to our New Year's Day Walkers, South. However, for those averse to replacement buses, you have the option of walking the short distance at walk-end to Coulsdon Town railway station for a twice an hour train service back to London (see below). 

Book 2, Walk 15 - Riddlesdown to Coulsdon South (with afternoon short cut)

Length: 12.5 km (7.8 miles)
Toughness: 4 out of 10

London Victoria: 10-23 hrs (East Grinstead service) Clapham Junction: 10-29;  East Croydon: 10-40 hrs
Arrive Riddlesdown: 10-47 hrs

Return: Coulsdon South:  a 10 minute bus ride to Purley for a fast train service back to Victoria, via East Croydon and Clapham Junction, with buses leaving Coulsdon South every half hour at xx-28 and xx-58.

Alternatively, a short walk up Coulsdon High Street would bring you to Coulsdon Town station, with direct services to London Bridge via East Croydon at xx-03 and xx-33. Change at East Croydon for Victoria.

Rail ticket: all these stations are within TfL Zone 6.

For a walk on the outskirts of the London Borough Croydon, today's outing is surprisingly pleasant and almost rural as it passes through unspoilt countryside and ancient grazing lands and commons, with some lovely views both in the morning and in the afternoon.

Being New Year's Day I suggest you toast in the New Year with bubbly from one of the morning viewing points. I leave it to you to bring along the medicine and nibbles.

Your pub lunch stop is The Fox, Coulsdon Common, Caterham.  Now please read the next bit very carefully as I will write zis only 'vonce. I have reserved a table for 10 for 1 pm (which should leave you plenty of time to enjoy your mid-morning bubbly and get to the pub in time). Please 'phone ahead to confirm your actual numbers - the pub is aware the number booked may vary, and although they anticipate being very busy they will do their best to accommodate more of you, should that be the case. I will not be with you, as I am on the NYD Walk West, so I am relying on one of you NYD South walkers to contact the pub: tel: 01883-340737.  If for some reason travel disruption prevents the walk taking place, would one of you please 'phone the pub to cancel the booking.

After lunch I suggest you take the short cut to Chaldon, stopping at Chaldon Church to look at its historic murals. Then you head for Farthing Down for a lovely, long descent to Coulsdon South. Facilities are a bit sparse here, but please read the Directions for suggested refreshment places.  The short bus journey at the start of your journey home should not be too big a hassle.

For those wanting a longer walk, you have the option of doing the full Walk 15 of 16.8 km (10.4 miles).
T=2.15
Walk Directions are here: L=2.15

4 comments:

JohnL said...

If want to get to Coulsdon Town Station for a real train:- From the end of the Downs continue on Marlpit Lane, ignore Reddown Rd on your left (that leads to Coulsdon South Stn) and continue under the rail and road bridges to the big roundabout where you turn right on to the Brighton Rd for the center of Coulsdon. Take the right fork at the next lights then stay on the Main Road passing The Art Cafe on your right and Cafe Nero on the left. Then just by Pizza Express turn up Leaden Hill To Coulsdon Town. You will need to go over the foot bridge for trains to London

Chris L said...

Lindsey and I are planning to do this work and have two bottles, a box of nibbles and plastic cups ...

Wendy said...

Peter and Wendy plan to join this walk

JohnL said...

N=21 W=wet_morning_but_dry_with_some_sun_later. Thanks to those who brought fizz and nibbles which were enjoyed in mild drizzle at the Riddlesdown view point. Some of us took a short cut to the RAF memorial on Kenley aerodrome and then on to the Fox which was busy but efficient. Most were happy with their lunch but the roasts were served rather tepid. After lunch there were three groups some doing the full N Downs Way section others the posted Chaldon Church route and the remainder went direct to Coulsdon.