Length: 13¼ km (8.3 miles), plus whatever extra you do if visiting Wakehurst. Toughness: 4/10
10:08 Thameslink (Brighton) train from London Bridge (East Croydon 10:24), arriving Balcombe at 11:00. Note that Thameslink trains aren't running through central London on Sunday because of engineering works.
Trains back from Balcombe are half-hourly at xx:24 & xx:55.
Several SWC walks pass through Wakehurst but this short walk is specifically designed to allow plenty of time for an afternoon visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Admission is free to NT members and half price to those who can “present proof of car-free travel”, so show a rail ticket if you need to pay. If you decide to skip the gardens you shouldn't have a problem finding your way back to Balcombe as the route will be familiar from other walks.
The lunch pub is the Gardeners Arms on the B2028 to the north of Ardingly. They usually have space in their garden but you'll probably need to book a table if you want to eat inside. As an alternative the Seeds Café at Wakehurst is open to non-visitors.
Those heading straight back to Balcombe might find its new coffee shop JO.CO still open, but if not the Half Moon Inn is a reliable watering-hole.
Please bring the directions from the L=swc.447 page. The main outward route (via Loder valley) is more interesting and if the rain holds off this week it should still be mud-free.
No comments:
Post a Comment