Length: Main Walk: 14¼ km (8.9 miles). Shorter options are available (see the walk's web page)
10.40 Caterham service from London Bridge (calls Norwood Junction 10.53, East Croydon 10.59) arrives Kenley 11.14
Return trains from Caterham to London Bridge are at xx.25 and xx.55
Kenley and Whyteleafe are both in London Travelcard Zone 6. See the walk's web page for other travel options
This new walk by Sean climbs up onto Riddlesdown and the Sanderstead to Whyteleafe Countryside Area where hopefully the wildflowers will be out (both areas are home to many rare chalk grassland species, birds including skylarks, and dormice). After passing through King's Wood (home to many bird species) and along footpaths and backstreets you arrive in the village of Warlingham for lunch.
The afternoon leg provides more of a workout, crossing three valleys in undulating countryside. You first cross Blanchman's Farm Nature Reserve (known for it's butterflies and wildflowers), Halliloo valley, Woldingham Garden Village and then a picturesque hillside walk to the hilltop village of Woldingham. After crossing two more steep-sided valleys you come down into Caterham for tea.
There are two chain pubs next to each other in Farleigh Road, just off Warlingham Green after around 6½ km. The Horseshoe (01883 622009) and the White Lion (01883-625085). There are several cafés and restaurants around the green, including Coffee at 412 (01883-622833) and Flavours Coffee Bar (01883-625777)
There are several tea options in Caterham. Caffè Nero (01883-342464; open to 5.30pm) at the top of Timber Hill Road and Costa Coffee (0333-0035883; open to 6pm Sat) in the parade of shops opposite the station. There is also The William Garland pub (01883-343267) and some independent cafés (eg. Caffe Bambino at #24 Croydon Road)
These walks don't have a leader so you'll need to download your copy of the directions from the L=swc.406 page.
4 comments:
10.38 train from London Victoria, change at Purley, arrives at Kenley at 11.14.
Hilary
Thanks Hilary for posting a train that stops at Clapham Junction which I shall catch.
N=22 and one small dog. A w=sunny day.
The first climb, straight off the train, sorted out a leisurely few sheep from the speedy goats, who raced off ahead and were, mostly, never seen again. After the climb, the morning was fairly flat. There was lots of buttercups. There was forget me nots, there was Laura-Ashley-weed, the works.
I followed the walks author through various curlicues of Kings Wood.
We caught up with one or two of the goats in the White Horse. Having noticed a memorial to a benefactor in the church, Mr Tiger had wondered if there would be such a person in the pub, handing out chips, maybe. And do you know what, readers, there was. A kindly benefactor.
The afternoon was harder. Up, down, up, down, up, down- and that final sting in the tail - up, down.. It was hard going . It was hot. Mr Tiger had almost had enough but he soldiered on with a cheerful smile and stayed the course, never complaining.
At walks end, now down to two, there was nothing for it but to call into a public house and restabilise our aqueous equilibrium.
The pub was the White Lion and produced speedy cheap lunches and drinks for a select group of 5. Everyone else ate picnics in the Green opposite. The afternoon hills were far too much to contemplate and definitely more than 5 out of 10 so after an orange juice and a Magnum in Woldingham village I went directly to Woldingham Station to catch the 4pm train. Thanks to Sean for his directions and leadership.
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