Length: 16km (10 miles)
9.31 train from Charing Cross (9.34 Waterloo East, 9.40 London Bridge and with various stops in SE London) to Knockholt, arriving 10.20
If you miss this, get the 9.45 from Charing Cross (9.48 Waterloo East, 9.54 London Bridge) to Orpington, arriving 10.09, and connect there with the above train at 10.14)
Both outward and return journey are within zone six, so use passes or contactless
** In the event of travel disruption, check the comments for alternative suggestions
For GPX and map click here
I don't know about you, but with a named storm due on Friday, I am not feeling massively adventurous about today. But let us sally forth and see, eh? This idea has been lurking in my mind for a while, ie to do the Hayes to Knockholt walk backwards, starting in Knockholt.
That gets over the lack of tea places at the end if you do the walk in the normal direction, and in the event of wild weather or transport disruption, Hayes has a lot more travel options. Also there is a hourly bus from Downe (the London Transport 146 to Bromley South, at 12,.23, 13.33, 14.43, 15.53, 17.03 etc) if the weather turns nasty.
In addition this is a walk too often confined to the depths of winter, but with potential for some early autumn colour. It has some woods but also some large open sections. Some hills and valleys that may give shelter from the wind.
For lunch your first option is the Blacksmiths Arms in Cudham after 4 miles, or you can carry on another 1.6 miles to Downe, which has two rather traditional (ie basic) pubs, the Queens Head and the George & Dragon.
For tea, Hayes has a pub, microbrewery and a Costa.
Trains back from Hayes to London Bridge and Charing Cross are at 11, 26, 41 and 56 past
#2026-10-24T09:31 T=swc.82
