Length: 8.4 miles 13.5km Toughness 3/10 (or longer option Main Walk 17 km (10.6 miles))
Given the hours of daylight, the shorter walk, omitting Selsdon Wood is recommended – but it’s up to you.
10:20 East Grinstead train from Victoria (Clapham Jct 10:27, East Croydon 10.40), arriving Upper Warlingham 10:52.
Or 10:10 Caterham train from London Bridge to Whyteleafe station, arriving 10:48.
(The stations are near each other - directions are given from both. Suggest that the group meets at the Whyteleafe recreation ground).
Return from Upper Warlingham to Victoria at xx:02 and xx:32 Return from Whyteleafe to London Bridge at xx:00 and xx:30.
Both stations are at the outer edge of TfL Zone 6 so a Travelcard or London Freedom Pass would suffice.
This part of the London/Surrey border feels pretty rural, the woods, fields and isolated valleys having escaped suburban expansion. The walk starts with a climb to the top of Riddlesdown and the adjoining Sanderstead to Whyteleafe Countryside Area, (now part of the South London Downs National Nature Reserve). A tiny 11th C church is then passed on the way to a lunch pub on the edge of Great Farleigh Green. The return leg comes back across the valley to King's Wood, this time, through its full length. The walk ends with a longer stretch through the Countryside Area, and a flight of steps takes you down to a café in Whyteleafe Recreation Ground and a choice of return stations.
Lunch: The Harrow (01883-627565) on Great Fairleigh Green. The suggested place for a picnic lunch is at Farleigh church, which has several benches in its churchyard. A later option on the Alternative Walks is The Bull Inn (01883-627735) on Chelsham Common, which serves typical pub food and has a beer garden overlooking the small common.
Tea: The suggested place in Whyteleafe is the small Pavilion Café (01883-770666; open daily to around 4pm) in the Recreation Ground, a friendly place serving hot drinks and a selection of cakes. Stronger fare is available at the the Radius Arms micro-pub (07514-916172) and refurbished Whyteleafe Tavern (01883-624547). Neither do hot drinks. The Whytelafe Cafe Whyteleafe Cafe, 215 Godstone Rd, Warlingham, Whyteleafe CR3 0EL appears to be open until 4pm.
#2026-11-14T10:20
L=swc.43
2 comments:
N=9 at the station were augmented by n=2 from a later train, which makes n=11 A w=sunny day.
Mr Tiger, having arrived late (having over-compensated for the late start), took an amalgam of routes and got to the Harrow not long after the others.
People there seemed to enjoy what they got,, but there was a bit of a flap about the lack of tzatziki. (just to clarify, a dip, not a martial art). Kindly benefactors provided bread and a few chips.
The afternoon was not dissimilar to Mr Tiger’s morning but, somehow, believe it or not, he and two others arrived back at Whyteleafe ahead of the others.
Imagine, if you can, walking into the Radius Arms and find it devoid of your companions. Panic ensued but this subsided when one or two others arrived, How did he get there sooner? Faster walking maybe, but more likely, just one of those things.
After rather too much Kentish Kish ( Itsh shider) Mr Tiger headed for the station , alarmed to find some of the backmarlers on the platform . Thish meant he had to try and act like he washn’t intoxticated. Not eazhy.
10 walkers took scheduled trains (6 from Victoria and 4 from LB), so n=12. Six ate in the pub with traditional pub food plus Mediterranean fare. One walker ordered Garlic King Prawns starter won the dish of the day! Five went to Pavilion Cafe for tea.
Post a Comment