An undulating walk, just outside the London boundary through a varied landscape of ancient woodland, open downs and farmland.
Near the start, the walk follows part of the Banstead Woods Nature Trail. The woods contain a lion, a witch and a wardrobe. But, don’t you worry, they can't hurt you, they're all carved from dead trees. Later, a stretch in an open valley and through a golf course takes you to an out-of-the-way pub for lunch.
Return through a remote area of quiet country lanes, narrow paths, and woodland.
Trains:
You could get the 9:55 from London Bridge (Platform 4). Change at Purley (arr. 10:17 Platform 4, dep 10:44 platform 6). Arrive at Chipstead 10:55.
Or you could get the 10:09 from London Bridge (Platform 4). Change at East Croydon (arr 10:22 platform 3, dep 10:27 platform 6) This arrives Purley at 10:35 and departs 10:44 (same platform, 6). This may be the same train, split in two. Listen to announcements and make sure you are in the correct half (usually the rear).
Return from Kingswood at xx:27, changing again at Purley, onto platform 3
Both stations are in TFL zone 6.
Directions: here Main Walk t=swc.177
Lunch: the Well House, Mugswell. (01737-830640.
Tea: the Kingswood Arms, opposite the station (01737-354053).
1 comment:
N=4 at the station. A w=chilly-dry-day-sunny-later We set off into Banstead Woods, past the lion, past the wardrobe, no sign of the witch, who was probably away, catching children.
Hearing the Well House had no space caused the group to divert to the White Hart.
Here, we were joined by walker n=5 who walked a short way with us later. Most had soup.
After lunch, the group continued iround the full route. They were surprised to see sheepdog trials under way in the fields to the right, lots of shouting, bleating, and an even some barking. I heard later that some of them had been found guilty (one of my clever jokes).
Mr Tiger had started lagging behind and, I’m afraid to say that, when an opportunity arose, he succumbed to temptation and skipped the last loop near the Well House. It’s not as if anyone would notice, is it?
Wrong! Nearing the Banstead Woods re-entry point, a familiar voice rang out. It was only the walk’s author wasn’t it. Missed a connection, didn’t he? Started from Kingswood and waited in the Well House for our non-arrival. So that’s n=6 innit.
The rest of his walk passed without incident and Mr Tiger got the 15:27.
A grand day out but perhaps Sunday walks visiting the Well House are best left till summer, when the garden is open.
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