Book 2, walk 15
11.3 miles (18.1km) or, with shortcut, 8.6 miles 13.8km.
Difficulty 4/10
The South London Downs, England’s newest National Nature Reserve, features some of the finest preserved commons in London's green belt, including Happy Valley and Farthing Down. That’s where we're going today. Farthing Down in particular is noted for its wildlife, historic sites, and views. There’s woodland as well.
In the afternoon we pass Chaldon Church, home to one of England's oldest and biggest wall paintings. Find out what happens to people who don’t behave - and make sure you’re not one of them. Always follow those government guidelines.
Trains: Get the 10:50 East Grinstead train from Victoria (Clapham Jct 10:56 E Croydon 11:09) arriving Riddlesdown 11:18.
Trains back: xx:20 & xx:50 from Coulsdon South to Victoria. xx:39 and xx:09 to London Bridge.
Riddlesdown and Coulsdon stations are within Tfl travelcard zone 6. A Zones 1-6 travel card may be best.
Lunch
The appointed lunch stop is The Fox, Coulsdon Common 01883 330 401. There's a possible earlier stop in Wattenden - the Wattenden Arms, open from 12.
Refreshment stops are a bit unreliable at present so it’s a good idea to bring snackies and water in case they’re needed.
Tea: The Poppy Café in the Memorial Gardens (across Marlpit Lane from Reddown Rd) is open to 6. There is a CaffeNero, 5 mins north of the station at 132 Brighton Road, open until 5pm 020 8660 7111.
The walk's introduction also gives directions to a pub, the Pembroke 0208763 0800.
Walk Directions: here.
It is possible to take the shortcut (option a) soon after the pub. You could also finish at the pub by taking a 466 bus to East Croydon Station.
Covid-19 Compliance: Please adhere to the current guidance on this website. Please sign up for this walk in advance if you can, using the London Walkers User Group site. (This saves time collecting contact details). Otherwise bring a piece of paper with your contact details e.g email on it (in your neatest handwriting!) This will be put in an envelope and accessed if needed for contact tracing. To report a Covid case after this walk, contact covid@lwug.co.uk /
T=2.15
6 comments:
You’ll also pass a family of pot bellied pigs, unless they’re out visiting schools. They’re always greedy for food, so bring supplies.
Tomorrow’s walk. Will those walkers travelling from Victoria get the 09:50 East Grinstead train to Ribblesdown (arrives 10:18)? It appears the next train would be 10:50.
Sorry, I missed the information concerning train times , taking the 10:50…
To avoid splitting the group from the start, perhaps we can all get the 10.50 from Victoria.
The train time proposed is the 10:50 not the 9:50.
The reason for taking this train is that it allows time for pass holders (who cannot travel before 9) get to Victoria. Thereby being more inclusive.
If any of you do get the earlier train be sure to collect contact details for reporting purposes. I won’t be there at that time.
N=13 12 at the station, 1 joining midday. The day was variously w=sunny_cloudy-sunny-cloudy Not as muddy as it could have been, given the recent rain. Among the botanical delights on show, greater yellow rattle, orchids, wild carrot with its forky bracts, ladie’s and another bedstraw, a little pink pea thing and knapweed. One or two butterflies fluttered by - marbled white, speckled wood, red admiral. And a dragon fly. About half ate at the Fox and the food seemed to go down well, even if they were no good at sums. I think one or two might have taken the shortcut but a sizeable proportion went the whole way round The old painting’s still in the church. Happy Valley’s still happy. Farthing’s still down.
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