Length: 10.3 miles (16.5km) 5 out of 10
The walk has various options to shorten it.
"This walk covers a stretch of the Green Belt on the London/Surrey border which since July 2019 has been designated the South London Downs National Nature Reserve. It starts with a climb onto Kenley Common and a long stretch around the perimeter of Kenley Airfield, a well-preserved example of those pressed into service during World War Ⅱ.
The walk continues across Coulsdon Common where some features will be familiar from the Riddlesdown to Coulsdon walk (2–15). You soon pass the lunchtime pub but unless you want to cut the walk short (or take a very early break) there is an hour-long loop across Happy Valley in order to see the internationally renowned 12thC doom mural in Chaldon church. The route back to the pub goes past a historically interesting burial ground, a salutary reminder of the time – not so long ago – when large numbers of people with mental health problems were confined in asylums.
The afternoon section starts by weaving its way back across Coulsdon and Kenley Commons, this time going around the other side of the airfield. After a stretch along a newly-restored patch of downland it takes a northerly loop through woodland to Kenley before crossing the valley.
One last climb onto Riddlesdown is followed by a level stretch through the Sanderstead to Whyteleafe Countryside Area, where you can look back across the valley to your earlier route. A flight of steps then takes you down to a park café in Whyteleafe Recreation Ground and a choice of return stations."
Trains: Get the 0952 East Grinstead train from London Bridge (East Croydon 1010) arriving Upper Warlingham 1022. This is a short walk from Whyteleafe station. Return trains from Whyteleafe to London Bridge at xx25, xx55 and from Upper Warlingham to London Bridge xx32, xx02.
Lunch: The Fox (01883-340737) on Coulsdon Common, reached after 8¼ km on the Main Walk. 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.
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 Radius Arms micro-pub
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1 comment:
#10 people on this #mild_and_very_wet day. The Fox was fully booked and it wasn't good walking weather so we all cut it short. Thank you to the walkers who invited us to their home to dry off over hot drinks and cake.
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