Oaks Day walk

SWC Walk 4 - Merstham to Epsom Downs

Length: 17.25km (10.7 miles)

Catch the 10:08 train from London Victoria, arrives Merstham 10:42. 

It is advised to try and set off after lunch at 14:00 or soon after so as to allow adequate time to reach Epsom Downs Racecourse before The Oaks at 16:30. 

The racecourse is in a public area - thus there is no charge to watch the race. (Ref. Walk notes "The public footpaths across Epsom Downs Racecourse are kept open on some race days, but since 2016 they have been closed during major events and for several hours before and after.) " -

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Evening Walk - Sunset Drinks with City Views: Nunhead, Honor Oak and Peckham Rye

Length: 8.0 km (5.0 mi)

Ascent: 170m

Net Walking Time: 2 hours 

Meet at Nunhead station by the exit down from the platform at 18.30. 

From Central London, either take the 18.07 Dartford train from Victoria (18.17 Denmark Hill, 18.20 Peckham Rye), arriving Nunhead at 18.23, or the Thameslink service from Kentish Town to Orpington (17.47 St. Pancras via all stations to Blackfriars (17.56) then Elephant & Castle, Denmark Hill and Peckham Rye), arriving 18.13. 

 

From Outer London: take either the 18.03 London Blackfriars train from Orpington (arrives 18.31) or the 17.57 Victoria train from Dartford (arrives 18.36). 

Return trains from Peckham Rye: plenty in every direction (Victoria, LBG, Thameslink, Clapham J…).

 

This south east London route links up several noteworthy green open spaces. It starts by meandering through the atmospheric Nunhead Cemetery, one of the Magnificent Seven cemeteries of Victorian London and now, after having been resurrected from decades of neglect, a Local Nature Reserve. You then walk along residential streets to Camberwell New Cemetery and the Honor Oak Crematorium in Honor Oak, and on up to One Tree Hill, the most northerly part of what was the Great North Wood and is now a wooded Local Nature Reserve with a magnificent viewpoint.

Walk through the linear Brenchley Gardens Park and past Camberwell Old Cemetery and on to the large green spaces of Peckham Rye Park and Common. From there it is just a short walk past a cluster of cafés and modish restaurants and then along Rye Lane, one of the most aesthetically varied, culturally mixed and unique streets in London, to Peckham Rye station, with a plethora of food and drink options nearby, some of them on roof tops of high buildings...

Tea Options: Plenty en route and near Peckham Rye station, see the webpage or the pdf walk directions for details. T=short.41

Wednesday walk - Milford to Godalming

This walk promises a riot of rhododendrons if you follow the Greensand way part of the directions and some very colourful azaleas in Winkworth arboretum, hopefully still in full bloom by the time we do the walk

Length: 17.9km (11.1 miles)

Toughness: 6 out of 10

Trains: 9.45 from London Waterloo (9.52 Clapham Junction, 10.13 Woking) arriving Milford 10.38.

Return trainsfrom Godalming: 15.10/25/45, 16.12/25/40/51, 17.12/25/42/51

Buy a return to Milford.

Lunch: The suggested stop for a pub lunch is the White Horse  (tel 01483 208 258) in Hascombe, some 8.1 km into the walk, which serves good food from midday to 9.30pm.

A little further on from the pub, picnickers will find benches outside Hascombe church and around the small lake across the road  from it.

A later lunch option is the cafe by the entrance to Winkworth Arboretum , some 10.9 km into the walk. It serves a limited selection of hot dishes and a range of sandwiches.

Tea: various options in Godalming.

for more information click L=1.20

Monday Walk - Hollingbourne Circular walk via Hucking

Length: 20km (12.4 miles) (5 out of 10) Options for a shorter walk

"From the station you are soon striding across vast farm fields to meet the North Downs Way (NDW) at the foot of this open downland. Here, the 'Hucking Extension' makes a longer exploration of the attractive Hucking Estate. This 4½ km circuit goes out along grassy rides and woodland paths to the tiny hamlet of Hucking and loops back along a wide open valley. The walk climbs the ridge and continuing along the southern edge of the Woodland Trust's Hucking Estate, an unexpected oasis of grassland and woodland (including bluebells) in a landscape dominated by arable farming.

The final loop is around Leeds Castle on public footpaths. Modestly describing itself as “the Loveliest Castle in the World”, the moated setting of Leeds Castle is certainly spectacular. Subtract 5¾ km (3.6 miles; 1 hour 30 minutes) if omitting the Leeds Castle circuit.

Note: You are advised to use the latest directions, as the two Hollingbourne walks have had modifications, and are now combined into one document.

Train: Get the 0955 Ashford International train from Victoria (Bromley South 1012) arriving Hollingbourne 1109. Return trains at xx:16

Lunch: In Hucking (after 8 km) the Hook & Hatchet Inn (01622-880272) has a particularly attractive garden and serves “simple and delicious” home-cooked food all day. The Dirty Habit in Hollingbourne is closed for renovation.

Tea: About ten minutes before Hollingbourne station there are two pubs in Eyhorne Street. The Windmill, an up-market pub/restaurant, while the Sugar Loaves is a more traditional village pub. Both have back gardens away from the street. T=swc.253

Sunday Walk: Pangbourne Circular via Goring

Length 16.0 km (10.0 mi) Difficulty 3/10

A walk through three  pretty Thames-side villages via wooded ridges with splendid views. Then down through a nature reserve and along the valley bottom to Goring-on-Thames for lunch. In the afternoon, return along the Thames Path, up through Hartslock Wood, and back down through Whitchurch and Pangbourne.
The walk is based on a hand drawn map devised by the YHA and, if preferred, you could follow that anti-clockwise instead.
An optional extension in the afternoon would take you into Hartslock Nature Reserve (famous for its wildflowers, especially orchids).
Trains
Get a return to Pangbourne (a return one stop further to Goring & Streatley, would give the option of a shorter walk finishing there).
Get the 09:38 Didcot Parkway train from Paddington arriving Pangbourne 10:33
 You could also catch the 9:47 Hereford train and join the above train at Reading (departs Reading 10:25).
A Freedom Pass is valid as far as Reading on the Elizabeth Line (Paddington 9:18, Ealing Broadway 9:23) Arrive Reading 10:10 and, get the same 10:25 Didcot Parkway train. You need a ticket for the rest of the journey.
Return direct from Pangbourne at xx:26 (Goring xx:22). Change at Reading for faster or Liz line trains.
Lunch: Take your pick. There are 2 pubs in Goring, one nearby in Streatley, and 2 cafes.
I'd suggest either The Catherine Wheel ,Station Road  Goring (01491 872 379) or  The Miller of Mansfield, High Street, Goring (01491 872 829).
There's also the upmarket Swan at Streatley High Street, Streatley (01491 878 800), and Pierreponts Café 1 High Street, Goring (01491 874 464).
Tea  You got The Greyhound,Whitchurch, with its pleasant garden. Or...in Pangbourne, the George Hotel, The Elephant, and the Cross Keys.    
Directions and intro here. The main walk is on the "download walk" button and the map walk on the "YHA." button.
When in Goring, check out the churchyard. It should be a sea of cow parsley this time of year.
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Tempting Tisbury (via Donhead St. Andrew)

SWC 252: Tisbury Circular (via Donhead St. Andrew) -- Across the Vale of Wardour, Wardour Park and a Castle Ruin t=swc.252

Length: 14.5 Miles or 23.3 km for those more metrically minded (for those wanting something shorter, short cuts are available! -- see walk notes)

Difficulty: 7 out of 10 (or 4 out 10 for the shorter version)

Train: Take the 9:15 AM South Western Exeter St. David’s train from London Waterloo arriving at a Tisbury at 11:06. Return trains are at 17:01, 17:28, 18:01; 19:01; 20:01; 21:01 and 22:03. Buy a day return to Tisbury.

This walk explores the Vale of Wardour, an area of outstanding natural beauty in Wiltshire. The route heads west from Tisbury along the Nadder Valley and through Wardour Park with its large mansion. After lunch, a series of ascents through some large estates and several woods take you all the way to the Nadder Head in another large country estate. Looping back, the route passes a Neolithic hill fort site on a ridge right on the boundary with Dorset, with occasional views through trees to surrounding steep downs.

An exhilarating descent and an equally exhilarating route through the wooded Barkers Hill lead back down to the Nadder. The return route then leads right past the romantically ruined 14th century Old Wardour Castle and through High Wood back into Tisbury, a remarkably unspoilt village. More information and the walk instructions can be found here.

Lunch is at the Forester in Donhead St. Andrew (01747 828 038), 4.3 miles/7.3 km into the walk -- a booking has been made at 1pm.

Post walk refreshies can be had at various spots in Tisbury.

Ely circular

SWC 118 Ely circular

Length: 18 km (11.2 miles). Toughness: 2/10

Catch the 9:42 from London Kings Cross arrives Ely 10:53. Return xx:18 xx:53. 

A fairly easy walk with lunch at The Red Lion (8.2km into the walk); numerous tea options in Ely’s Old Town prior to a short quayside stroll back to the station.

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Thame Circular - oceans of buttercups (hopefully..)

Length: 20.9 km (13 miles), though shortcuts possible to 15.2km (9.4 miles) or 18.9km (11.7 miles). There is also an extra loop, lengthening the walk to 24.5km (15.2 miles).T=swc.190

9.32 (Birmingham-bound) train from Marylebone to Haddenham & Thame Parkway, arriving 10.09 - buy a day return to this station.

There is then a slightly annoying 18 minute wait for the 10.27 bus to Thame, arriving 10.39, though as it is not a long distance we might share a taxi if any happens to be lurking around...

For walk directions click here, for GPX click here, for a map of the route click here. 

Yes, I know.... South of the River types will bridle at the thought of going out into the flatlands of Oxfordshire. But this walk is gorgeous at this time of year - or has been in the past - with endless fields of buttercups. Thame is also a very cute market town, worth seeing in its own right, and the full walk takes you to a very idyllic rural pub.

That pub is the Clifden Arms, 7.4 miles into the walk, but there are other options. If you do the extra loop (ie the 15.2 mile version of the walk) you come to the Fox and Goat after 5.5 miles, while the Rising Sun with a quite basic "with chips" menu is 0.9 miles after the Clifden Arms (or just 7 miles into the walk if you do a shortcut - the 11.7 mile version of the walk)

Lastly there is a large and popular chain pub, the Old Fisherman in Shabbington, about a mile beyond the Rising Sun: this is also the only lunch pub for the shorter (9.4 mile) walk.

Thame has various tea options and pubs.

Buses from Thame back to Haddenham & Thame Parkway go at 15 and 48 past until 17.48, but only the 48 past connects well with trains, arriving at 55 past, with the train to Marylebone at 06 past.

After 17.48 there are buses at 18.15 (no train connection), 18.45 (connecting to the 19.06 train), 19.15 (connecting to the 19.38 train), 19.35 (generous connection to the 20.06 train), 19.55 (tight connection to the 20.06 train)...etc: look up for yourself if you are still there this late!!

Saturday Walk: Lewes Circular via West Firle

Full Walk: 14.5 miles / 23.3 km

Finish at Southease: 10.5 miles / 16.8 km

A grand day out in the South Downs, with two climbs.  

The final section along the river into Lewes can be skipped by taking a train from Southease.  

Trains: 09:24 London Victoria, (09:40 East Croydon), 10:26 Lewes.  Buy a day return to Lewes or Southease, depending on your finishing point.

Lunch: The Ram Inn, West Firle

Full walk directions here

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The Grandeur of Greenwich (Canary Wharf or Island Gardens to Greenwich)

The Grandeur of Greenwich (Canary Wharf or Island Gardens to Greenwich) T=short.12

Distance: Approximately 4.0 miles or 6.4 km for those more metrically minded (5.5 miles/8.8 km if starting from Canary Wharf)

Difficulty: 2 out of 10

Meet: Island Gardens (DLR) at 19:00 OR, for those interested in something a bit longer, 18:30 at Canary Wharf Jubilee Line exit (DLR side)

Return: Greenwich mainline train, DLR or even Thames Clipper

This walk principally explores the treasures of Greenwich Park with a classic start from Island Gardens and the view across the river. However, those who want a longer walk can start from Canary Wharf and also explore the historic docklands and Mudchute city farm…..I will ask that the Island Gardens starters give the Canary Wharf starters a 5-minute grace on their departure, as we may get distracted by info panels, pigs or llamas en route from Canary Wharf….

I will mention that Greenwich Park is undergoing a bit of a revamp at the moment -- restoring the original layout of the Park -- so we may need to make a few diversions from the normal route.

More information on the walk and its instructions can be found here.

There are plenty of watering holes in Greenwich for post walk refreshies…..last time we enjoyed a nice meal in the garden of the Old Brewery…

Enjoy the walk!

Arundel to Goring “by Sea” - castle views, woodland, a hill-fort, Highdown Gardens (and the seaside – but only if you carry on past the station)

Length: 14.5 km (9 miles) or 18.7 km/11.7 miles including the loop down to the seashore; 3/10

Highdown Gardens, just over a mile before the station, are worth a visit and would add about a mile/1.5 km. Other short/long options are described on the main walk page.

Travel: 1005 from Victoria (Clapham Junction 1012, East Croydon 1023) arriving in Arundel at 1129. Return trains from Goring-by-Sea at 27 and 56. Get a return to Littlehampton to cover both routes.

Lunch: Just south of Patching about 9 km into the walk, The World's End (01903-871346) has a large beer garden, and serves a good range of food all day from noon.

Tea:Just outside Highdown Gardens, The Highdown (01903-924670) has a tearoom open to 5 pm. It is about 1.7 km/1.1 miles from the station. If you do the loop to the sea, you pass the Sea Lane Café (01903-247847) on Marine Drive, which might still be open. There are also a couple of pubs on the return route from the beach to the station.

For walk directions, map and GPX click here

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Sunday Walk – Box Hill Circular, via Betchworth

SWC Walk 396 – Box Hill Circular, via Betchworth

Length: 16¾ km (10.4 miles). Toughness: 5/10

10:02 Dorking train from Waterloo (Vauxhall 10:06, Clapham Jct 10:12, etc), arriving Box Hill & Westhumble at 10:51. If you might want to switch to one of the alternative endings (see the walk document for details), a return to Dorking is the same fare as Box Hill.

Trains back from Box Hill & Westhumble are hourly at xx:10 to Waterloo; half-hourly at xx:16 & xx:46 to Victoria (in both cases, a few minutes earlier from Dorking).

Anyone returning early from the Scottish trip will consider this outing a gentle stroll in the park, but it does start with the classic climb up the Burford Spur to the famous viewpoint on Box Hill. It goes out to Betchworth past old chalk quarries on the North Downs escarpment and returns along the Mole Valley, with a few more ups and downs along the way.

The food and drink options on this walk always seem to go down well. If you want a pub lunch the Red Lion in Betchworth serves large portions and doesn't seem fussed about advance bookings. Brockham offers several options for a mid-afternoon refreshment stop, including its popular Teas on the Green outside the church. And at the end of the walk there's a pub on the road to the station.

You'll need to bring the directions from the L=swc.396 page.

Sunday Walk - Wooded Ridges and Sandy Heathlands: Haslemere to Farnham

Length: 23.6 km (14.7 mi) [many longer and shorter options including a circular route back to Haslemere]

Ascent/Descent: 433/496m

Net Walking Time: 5 ¼ hours

Toughness: 6/10

 

Take the 09.30 Portsmouth Harbour train from Waterloo (09.39 CJ, 10.12 Woking, 10.18 G’ford), arrives Haslemere 10.29. 

Return trains from Farnham are on xx.00 (69 minutes) and xx.30 (64 minutes).

Buy a Haslemere return, you may then have to buy a separate Farnham – Woking single.

 

The route leads out of Haslemere in a northerly direction along the quietest and shortest possible route to ascend through Coombswell Copse and along the wooded Invall ridge up to Hurt Hill and the Temple of the Four Winds, the ruin of an early 20^th century belvedere, and one of several viewpoints with striking vistas. Turn westerly up to Gibbet Hill (the second highest top in Surrey), with more far reaching views, out to the North Downs and London, as well as back to Black Down and to the South Downs.

Skirt around the Devil’s Punchbowl along the course of the old A3 and descend into the remote Highcomb Bottom, a stunning sandy heathland valley to re-join the Greensand Way to Thursley.

Its common (a NNR) is one of the largest heathlands as well as one of the last lowland peat bogs in southern Britain and an optional extension gives you prolonged exposure to it. Next up is Hankley Common, another large heathland, and mostly MOD terrain, for an exploration of a D-Day training site with a replica section of The Atlantic Wall and assorted other defensive structures.

On to the picturesque village of Tilford with its pub and cricket pitch on the green, followed by quiet woodland paths and lanes along the River Wey’s North Branch into Farnham, with an optional extension past Waverley Abbey House to Waverley Abbey’s ruins along the way. 

 

Elenvenses/Lunch: Café and Hotel Pub at The Devil’s Punch Bowl, The Three Horseshoes in Thursley (10.5 km/6.5 mi, food to 15.00), or The Duke of Cambridge in Tilford Common (15.9 km/9.9 mi, food all day) or The Barley Mow in Tilford (17.5 km/10.9 mi, food to 16.00). 

Tea: Tilford Village Shop, The Mulberry (food to 20.00), The Lamb or The William Cobbet.

 

For summary, map, height profile, photos, walk directions and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.144

Saturday Walk Pulborough to Amberley - Pulborough Brooks, Wigginholt Church, a RSPB Centre, then up onto the South Downs

SWC Walk 9 - Pulborough to Amberley

Length: 16.6 km (10.3 miles)

Toughness: 7 out of 10 (one steep ascent up onto the South Downs, remainder of walk 2 out of 10)

London Victoria: 09-35 hrs    Southern service to Chichester   CJ 09-42   EC 09-53   Horsham 10-35 hrs

Arrive Pulborough: 10-52 hrs

Return

Amberley to Victoria:  17 mins past the hour   Southern service 

Rail ticket: buy a day return to Amberley

Leaving Pulborough you make your way through varied countryside to the village of Nutbourne, for lunch at the usually excellent Rising Sun pub.

Post prandial, you head for Pulborough (Wild) Brooks, much of which can be under water after periods of heavy rain. You pass a secluded church in Wigginhold (well worth look inside if open) before you arrive at the RSPB Centre, also worth a look in its Visitor Centre. On then to leave the woods - for the long walk along Rackham Street to the foot of the South Downs. A short but steep climb takes you to the Downs ridge - and you walk along the South Downs Way, with nice views. You drop down above Amberley to walk down High Titten (road) to a main road which soon takes you to Amberley Railway station. The Bridge Inn, next to the station, is your best bet for walk-end refreshments as the nearby Tea Rooms beside the River have the annoying habit of closing at tea time. 

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Walk Directions are here: L=swc.9

Saturday Walk - Princess Risborough to Wendover

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Length: 10.5 miles (16.9 km) 6 out of 10

"This walk is easy to follow, being mainly along the Ridgeway and is very much uphill and downhill, but not strenuously so. The way is predominantly through high beech woods and chalk downlands, including the Ridgeway path across open countryside, passing Chequers, the PM's country retreat. It has views out from Coombe Hill over the Vale of Aylesbury and surrounding counties. The walk ends by descending into the pleasant old town of Wendover."

You will need the online instructions for directions to the lunch pub in Great Kimble, as the pub in the book is closed. The Plough is best avoided, as it has become a tourist destination.

Trains: Get the 0937 train from London Marylebone, arriving Princess Risborough at 1021. Return trains are xx57 via Amersham & Harrow. Buy a day return to Aylesbury, which will cover both routes.

Lunch: is The Swan (tel 01844 275288) in Smokey Row (Great Kimble), 8.2 km into the walk. There is a park nearby for picnics

Tea: The Shoulder of Mutton pub is next to the station, or tea shops in Wendover High Street.

Deal to Dover

This is the Dover to Deal walk in reverse.  It should be easy to do.  Just keep the sea to your left.  This may be an ideal time to do this walk as you should see masses of beautiful wild flowers on the shingle beach as you walk out of Deal.  There should be a stunning display.  Added bonus is the wonderful view of the cliffs as you walk into Dover.

Directions for this option start in paragraph 61 on page 8. You only need pages 1-3 and 8-10 of this document if doing the walk in this direction 

Length: 17.7km (11 miles).

Toughness: 3 out of 10

Train:  depart London St Pancras 9.07 arrive Deal 10.30

Return trains from Dover Priory

 xx.00 to London STP changing at Ashford International OR

xx.00 remain on same train to Charing Cross

xx.18 to Victoria

xx.48 to St. Pancras (no change)

Ticket type: Buy a day return to Deal (please check whether you need to pay the high speed supplement)

Lunch: In this direction you also have a choice of lunch pubs: you can have stop after just 4.6km/2.9 miles at the Zetland Arms, which has some outside tables right on the beach, or carry on for another 4.7km/2.9 miles to the Coastguards pub in St Margarets Bay, with its pleasant terrace overlooking the sea.

For full details, including lunch and tea stops and directions (in reverse to get from Deal station, and to Dover station, please see here: https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/walk/dover-to-deal/

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Evening Walk - Bluebells in the evening: Osterley Park

Length: 10.4 km (6.5 mi) [shorter circular walk possible, see below]

Ascent: 50m

Net Walking Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

 

Meet at Osterley Underground at 18.30. Travel time on the Piccadilly Line is 33 minutes from Green Park, 22 minutes from Earls Court and 16 minutes from Hammersmith.

Return trains from Hanwell: every 15 minutes on xx.04, with 16 minutes journey time to Paddington. Both stations are in Zone 4.

This varied route of many delights initially meanders through the publicly accessible parts of the landscaped Osterley Park, while limiting the exposure to the noise from the M4. Some parts of the park show fine displays of bluebells in season. On an extension through the ticketed part of the park, more bluebell areas can be seen, and a flower garden and a walled garden can be explored.

From the café in the Stables Courtyard right by the grand Osterley House, you leave the park in a northerly direction to cross the M4 and a field into Norwood Green, where the fine bluebell wood of the Tentelow Woodland is passed through, before you cross the Grand Junction Canal and walk through the Glade Lane Canalside Park to join the towpath along the canal. Pass the famous Three Bridges site, an engineering feat of its time where railway, canal and road intersect, and walk along the former Hanwell Insane Asylum (now Ealing Hospital) and past the Hanwell Flight of Locks to the junction with the River Brent.

Turn left upstream along the river and through a large riverside hay meadow to the picturesque, grand Wharncliffe Viaduct, which carries the Great Western Main Line 20m above the Brent Valley. Another small park lies between the river and Hanwell Station with its vintage (and heated) waiting room.

 

Walk Options:

A Circular Walk (returning to Osterley Station from Osterley House) is 5.9 kilometres long.

 

Tea: plenty of options, both on the Hanwell and the Osterley ending. See the walk directions for details.

 

For walk directions, map, height profile, and gpx/kml files click here. T=short.50

Wednesday walk Cowden to Hever -

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Length: Main walk: 16.5km (10.3 miles) with options to shorten.

Difficulty: 4 out of 10

This walk starts from a lonely station and wends its way through remote valleys, woods and tiny settlements in the undulating landscape of the High Weald. It descends into the Eden Valley for refreshment stops in the beautiful villages of Penshurst and Chiddingstone, before ending in Hever. Each of these three villages has an interesting church which is worth visiting, as well as a popular historic house open to the public.

Trains: Catch the 10.07 Uckfield train from London Bridge (East Croydon 10.22), arriving Cowden 10.53. Return trains from Hever run hourly at XX.05.

Buy a return to Cowden.

Lunch: In Penshurst village, after about 7 km the Leicester Arms Hotel (01892-871617) is suggested for a pub lunch. The Porcupine Pantry at the entrance to Penshurst Place serves sandwiches, baguettes, hot and cold drinks.

Later in the walk, at Chiddingstone, the Castle Inn (01892-87037) is another possibility. It's under new ownership and website is currently under constructio.

Tea: My preferred option is the tea room tucked away behind Chiddingstone Castledingstone Castle (01892-870347) open to non-visitors. Another option is the  Tulip Tree tea room up a cobbled street  (01892-870326) in Chiddingstone just before the Castle gates

Directions, map and GPS L=swc.78

Sunday Walk: Petts Wood Circular

12km (8m) Difficulty 1/10
An easy and pleasant walk through woodlands to the SE of London. Petts Wood was saved from developers in the early part of the 20th century. Scadbury Park was once owned by Tudor bigwigs and the ruins of their manor house can still be seen. The park is now a Nature Reserve. An optional extension leads to the Chislehurst Caves with a history stretching back to the 13th Century.
Trains  Get the 10:10 Sevenoaks train from Charing Cross (London Bridge 10:20) arriving Petts Wood 10:48.
Trains return to Charing Cross at xx:24 & xx:54. Petts Wood is in zone 5.
Lunch The Bull's Head in Chislehurst (02084671727)  Booking advised.
Tea: Coffee X, on the east side of the station in Station Square, is recommended. Open to 5.
I have also heard tell of a micropub, Oneinnthewood  on the other side of the station. Open Sundays till 9.
Walk directions: here  
Chislehurst Caves:  020 8467 3264 Open till 4. Entry by guided tour only - on the hour, every hour - last tour at 4, £8 (£6 for seniors). Booking advised but timed tickets can be purchased on arrival. “Not suitable for those with a fear of mannequins”. They, too, have a café.   T=swc.309