Length: 16 km (10 miles). Toughness: 4/10
This is a variation on the Whytleafe circular and has a variety of options to shorten the walk. It's worth looking at the map if using the gpx, as the walk has a couple of loops. If doing the full walk, there is a short diversion described below.
After the aerodrome, comes another loop, taking you onto Riddlesdown, which is well worth doing. It requires a short diversion of approx 1km whilst the railway crossing is being upgraded. At point 48 in the directions, do not cross Valley Road, but turn left and follow the road to Kenley Station (trains to London Bridge), where you turn right onto Hayes Lane down to Godstone Road. You cross Godstone Road to bear right uphill, aiming to rejoin the route at Riddlesdown Road.
Trains: Get the 1008 Reigate train from London Victoria (Clapham 1015, East Croydon 1026) arriving Coulsdon South 1035. There are also trains from London Bridge arriving 10 minutes before or 9 minutes after 1035. Return from Upper Warlingham to Victoria at xx:02 & xx:32, or Whyteleafe to London Bridge at xx:01 & xx:31; both via East Croydon. These stations are all in Zone6.
Lunch: The Fox (01883-340737) on Coulsdon Common, reached after 6.5 km. This is the only place on the walk route, but shortly before reaching it you could detour to The Boundary on the Green (01883-818087) in the Caterham Barracks development, which had a positive report from a Sunday walk in August.
Tea: the small Pavilion Café open to around 4.30pm, in the Recreation Ground, a friendly place serving hot drinks and a selection of home-made cakes.
On the A22, between the two stations are the refurbished Whyteleafe Tavern and the (recomended) Radius Arms micro-pub.
T=swc.363.b
7 comments:
The 10.08 train to Coulsdon South from Victoria cancelled
1008 cancelled. Get to east Croydon to pick up London Bridge trains
Take the earliest train to East Croydon then change to the train from London Bridge
london bridge train arrives at E Croydon at 10:17
Next London Bridge train 30mins later if you miss the designated train
5 of us will be on the 1047 from east Croydon arriving 1059
Despite train disruption, n=8 set off only 30 minutes late (thanks to the earlier 3 for waiting). A morning of annoying drizzling rain, but not the expected downpour. Mud was more a slipping problem than gloopy.
5 ate at the Fox, with it's usual good service, joining a localish non walker. We lost one at this stage,but 7 left on a dry afternoon walk. Kenley station proved too tempting for 2 more, leaving 5 to enjoy Riddesdown lit by the late sunshine and clearing sky. Quite magical. A slippery descent and the Radius Arms, before getting the 1702. A much better than expected day out.
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