Length: 15¼ km (9.5 miles). Four hours walking time. There are various shorter options described
5 out of 10T=swc.177
"This undulating walk takes in a varied landscape of ancient woodland, open downs and farmland. You will have plenty of company in the popular recreational areas of Banstead Wood and Chipstead Downs, but few dog-walkers venture across the railway into the network of footpaths, horse rides and quiet lanes which make up the walk's middle section.
On the other side of the railway a section along an open valley in Shabden Park and across a golf course takes you to an out-of-the-way pub for lunch.
The return route starts along a remote area of quiet country lanes and narrow paths, followed by a woodland path through the Shabden Park's Long Plantation. After going back across the railway the final section is around the southern edge of Banstead Wood and across farmland to Kingswood station."
This is a walk with loops, so gps followers take care! Always advisable to get the latest version of the instructions and gpx (Jan 24).
Trains: Get the 0940 Southern train from London Bridge to Caterham, Tattenham Corner (0958 East Croydon) arriving Chipstead 1025. This is on the Tattenham Corner branch of the line, the train splits at Purley. Return trains xx22 & xx52. Buy a return to Kingswood. These stations are on the same line and in Zone 6 so use Oyster.
Lunch: The suggested lunchtime stop is the Well House Inn (01737-830640) in Mugswell, after 5m, 8¼ km. Ramblers welcome & now seems to do food all day and have a large covered garden space.
Tea: The Waterhouse Café open to 3.30pm Mon–Fri on Waterhouse Lane. The alternative is the Kingswood Arms directly opposite the station.
4 comments:
Sadly the Waterhouse Cafe in Kingswood is closed. Landlord is redevloping the site for flats. We signed the petition to keep it open but to no avail. Kingswood Arms by the station will do tea and coffee.
The Well House Inn is booked out until 17:00 tomorrow. Options: be lucky with bar tables, sit outside or have a pic-nic.
What a lovely day for this walk. N=10 of us enjoyed the weather and lack of mud. Some of the group had booked a table for 6, so everyone who wanted to had lunch and they also had room for walk-ins. In winter, they are happy for picnicers to eat in the garden if buying a drink.
A fair bit of fragmentation throughout the day, and 4 of us took an alternative to some of the road walking.
The pub at the end was packed, so 5 of us got the 1522. A very pleasant end to the year's walking.
W=Sunny?
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