L=1.34
#2026-09-16T10:05
LENGTH : 17.2km (10.7 miles)
DIFFICULTY : 6 out of ten
TRAVEL : Take the 0950 Thameslink train for BRIGHTON calling at St.Pancras 0950, Farringdon 0954, City Thameslink 0956, London Bridge 1005 and East Croydon 1019 arriving at BALCOMBE 1046
Buy a Balcombe return and try to blag your way past the barriers at East Grinstead. If unsuccessful, an extension to East Croydon can be purchased at the nearby ticket office.
Return trains from East Grinstead depart half hourly at .06 and .36, taking 56 mins to reach Victoria. Change at East Croydon for London Bridge.
LUNCH : The Cat Inn provides above average food offerings, though it’s kitchen closes at 2pm. Bar open all afternoon.
If feeling unwilling/unable to face the remainder of the walk buses are available from the village.
TEA.
https://www.olddunningsmill.co.uk/ a Harvey’s pub is in the CAMRA 2026 good beer guide.
Sainsbury’s by the station caters for afternoon refreshments.
My last attempt at this walk, in November 2024, was disastrous. Heavy rain turned the ground into mud and we had to rebuild a washed away bridge.
After a good lunch would-be bus takers were let down by a fallen tree cancelling all services while onward walkers had to rely on torches to finish.
But the days are longer now and the ground firmer, so the prospects for a lovely walk are much brighter.
3 comments:
This is a lovely walk but unable to go on it tomo. Just wondered if it could be repeated before the mud starts🙏 (ie..Autumn rains 🌧 )?
N=18 turning into n=19 with a late starter. The group set off with Mr Tiger near the front. “Come on you lot” he shouted. An arduous morning ensued. Up, down, you name it. And guess who wasn’t at the front anymore (frowny face). No mud though.
And so to the Cat where the meals looked good, even if there weren’t any chips.
Slightly easier terrain in the afternoon, but still felt a long way. There was a prolonged stay at Dunnings Mill where much beer was drunk.
Then, the lengthy stretch to the station. About 8 got the 18:06 . Others must have caught earlier trains. Those with just a Balcombe return had to buy an extra ticket from EG.
It was w=warm-mixed_sun-and-cloud
I had a Balcombe return and not wanting any prolonged discussions at EG station, I bought an extension on my phone from EG to Boundary Zone 6 for £3.85
Imagine my surprise when two of my friends had their Balcombe return tickets accepted by the staff AND even the gate card readers. Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that the odd Thameslink train is now running to EG?
Make it make sense!
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