13.3km (8.2 miles) 4/10
This looks like a good walk for new year's day as it's not too far and very scenic. The train service is a bit limited in the morning but we can get there and there are more trains for the way back. Last time we got rather wet but fingers crossed for better luck in 2026. It is customary to have a stop in the morning for nibbles and possibly champagne – please bring along whatever you wish to share. There's a good place with a fine view of Polesden Lacey about 4 km/2.5 miles into the walk.
Travel: 1038 from Victoria (Clapham Junction 1045, Epsom 1120) to Box Hill and Westhumble arriving at 1134. Return trains at 16 and 46 to Victoria.
Lunch: Polesden Lacey (after 6 km, just under half way) has the Granary Cafe in Stable Courtyard for a sit-down self-service lunch and a coffee shop at the entrance with take-away sandwiches and plenty of (mainly outdoor) picnic seating. They are open from 10 to 4 on New Year's Day.
Tea: Unfortunately Denbies is closed on New Year's Day, but the Stepping Stones (01306-889932) pub, about five minutes beyond Westhumble station, is open.
For walk directions, map and GPX click here.
L=2.14 and choose the Westhumble circular version
2 comments:
No response re the other walk, so I will be coming on this one, armed with nibbles and champagne !
Many, many, many on this walk. At least 37 at the station: two or three turning up later. One had got a train an hour earlier and gone for a pre-walk up Box Hill. So let’s say N=40 (plus dog). The weather was not quite as nice as yesterday (and tomorrow?), but OK. W=Brightish-cloud, shall we say?
So off we set in a great big phalanx, scaring all the passers-by. Inevitably some raced ahead, some lagged. A fallen tree at a narrow point on the path spread the group out further.
Arriving at Prospect Lodge, with its view of Polesden Lacey, we used a transformer box (what was that doing there?) as a bar. Much champagne was uncorked and it all got drunk. Lots of people brought snacks to share. We might have stood there all day had not one of our number cut things short by proposing taking a short cut and heading direct to lunch at the Stepping Stones. I think eight or nine did this: the rest carried on to Polesden Lacey.
There we again got split up due to vast swarms of torpedo kids running around at knee height and other confusions. Some went to the main restaurant, others to tables outside the tea bar. Sundry people had sundry comestibules. I had tea and the last cauliflower pasty.
At the end of the walk we found the Stepping Stones heaving with people, including at least one other walk group, but we all managed to get somewhere to sit. Different people left at different times. Five of us kept missing trains and finally went for the 6.18.
On the way there two of us noticed the big bright moon overhead and could not resist a walk up Crabtree Lane. Apart from some thick cloud at one point we had a fabulous hour and a half expedition along the lane and through the woods in glorious silvery light. I was really glad we took the effort to do this. Writing this on the 19.48 train.
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