Upper Warlingham to Woldingham.
Twelve hardy walkers set off by train to walk from Upper Warlingham to Woldingham. It was to be a repeat of Graham's November walk. At the stop before we were due to get off an announcement was made that the train would no longer be stopping at several destinations including ours. Quick thinking by Richard meant we all managed to leave the train at Riddlesdown and embark on an entirely different walk. Richard and Jane had led a previous walk in the area and could remember it well enough that no one got lost.
The start of the walk was in a hail storm which settled on the ground like snow. During the day we had several more hail showers but in Wainwright's words "there is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing" so we all carried on with no complaints. A lunch stop at The Fox was very welcome and we then continued through a very muddy Happy Valley to Coulsdon South where we were able to catch a train back to London.
Big thanks to Richard and Jane for leading us all so well and also to Graham and Nicola who came prepared to lead a walk only hours after their return from India and when they were feeling very jet-lagged.
Outward Victoria 9.50, Clapham 9.57 to Upper Warlingham. 10.22 (last station within the freedom pass zone). Return from Woldingham (outside Zone 6) regular trains to Victoria and Clapham J.
For drivers: car parking at Upper Warlingham station. Return from Woldingham with train (one stop).
the finish is South of the start. The route loops Eastward to join the two points. there is a modest climb at the outset but only a little climbing thereafter. Although only a few miles from Croydon and well inside the M25, this part of London's border with Surrey feels anything but urban. Away from the main roads you are soon in woods, fields and isolated valleys which escaped the post-war expansion of south London's suburbs. Now part of the Green Belt, the area is protected from large-scale development and remains a rural haven. Conditions underfoot cannot be predicted. Particularly muddy conditions are not expected but cannot be ruled out. Fully water proof boots are essential and poles are certain to be useful.
The Bull Chelsham Common