The London Loop Leg 12
Petts Wood Station to Hayes Station
Saturday, 24th November, 2007 
|
|
|
The London Loop is a 140 mile walk around London and roughly just inside the M25 (although you do not see it) passing through as many green places as possible such as parks, woods, commons, riverside protected areas and open farmland. The West Essex Ramblers are covering this in about 10 mile stretches over the period 2006 to 2008. We are following the path through "The London Loop" by David Sharp, ISBN1854107593, £13 rrp.
|
Click photos below for larger image
- typically 640x480 pixels
|
Click below for larger image as specified
|
Some commentary on the photos,
which is also a reflection on the walk
[Road information is just to help identify where we were].
|
|
1
|
|
|
We left Petts Wood Station and soon reached Jubilee Country Park (Image 1) and then, after we passed some housing, we were into Crofton Wood (Image 2). We reached the A232, where there was the Crofton Village sign (Image 3), crossed the road, passed more housing, and walked through Darrick Woods (Image 4).
|
|
2
|
|
|
Soon we walked between playing fields (Image 1), the playing field on our right was Image 2 and finally we got to the top of a hill with a fine view (Image 3) and where he took a drink stop. We then went down the hill and arrived at Farnborough village (Image 4).
|
|
3
|
|
|
We took lunch further into Farnborough at The Woodman.
|
|
4
|
|
|
Just out of Farnborough was the church of Saint Giles the Abbot (Images 2 & 4). A church has stood on this site for 1500 years but was rebuilt in 1639 due to storm damage. The bronze (Image 1) was a memorial to a former rector's wife and was made by Elsie March, a local artist. The font (Image 3) dates from the 14th century although the stem is Victorian.
|
|
5
|
|
|
Almost immediately we were into the outer part of High Elm Estates (Image 1) which comprised 400 acres, crossed Shire Lane (Image 2) and continued on through the countryside (Image 3).
|
|
6
|
|
|
Here was the Information Board on High Elm Estates and was good on its history but the map is upside down, ie, north is at the bottom! Briefly, it was the former home of the Lubboch family but now Bromley Council own it, however, more detailed information is on the board.
|
|
7
|
|
|
Specimen trees were planted on the estate, example Image 1, and there was an Eton Fives Court (Image 2) built here (click link for more details on Eton Fives). A plaque (Image 3) commemorated Sir John Lubboch, First Lord Avebury, who lived here and we walked down to High Elm Road by way of this Avenue of Bushes (Image 4).
|
|
8
|
|
|
Along the road was Clockhouse Farm (Picture 8) where we turned right.
|
|
9
|
|
|
Between High Elm Road and North End Lane there was the open space of a golf course (Images 1-2) followed by woodland paths (Images 3-4).
|
|
10
|
|
|
A house found it was greener on the other side of the fence in North End Lane opposite Bogey Lane.
|
|
11
|
|
|
Bogley lane and a display of a really heavy fine (Image 1) if you stopped here. The track, now on higher ground, looked down over Shire Lane which ran parallel to it ( Image 2 ) and Image 3 showed a house on the Lane at the foot of a wood. This tree (Image 4 ) was ... hmm .. somewhere before the next picture!
|
|
12
|
|
|
We reached Shire Lane for the second time, turned left, slipped round the back of Holwood and went up a hill. From the hill top Image 3 looked back whilst Image 4 looked forward. The images of 2 & 3 looked over the vale of Keston and contained in a wooden fence of Image 2 was an ancient stump, not visible in the image, but referred to in Picture 13 next.
|
|
13
|
|
|
At the hill top this plaque showed parliamentarians still at work in the countryside - this time concerning the abolishment of slavery.
|
|
14
|
|
|
We crossed Westerham Road and soon were at the source of the River Ravensbourne, known as Caesar's well, dressed up in a modern brick lining.
|
|
15
|
|
|
By the river source was this pond, one of three on Keston Common which were all fed by this "new" river.
|
|
16
|
|
|
The Keston Common Information Board which is just readable but at least north is at the top.
|
|
17
|
|
|
Over a short distance we crossed or used a number of roads: Westerham Road, Fishponds Road, Lakes Road, West Common Road and then walked close to, firstly Baston Manor Road, and then to Croydon Road, the A232, (Images 1-3) which was along the southern edge of West Wickham Common.
|
|
18
|
|
|
This was West Wickham Common Information Board. The common is long and narrow and is in fact immediately below the much larger Hayes Common.
|
|
19
|
|
|
This was taken near the western side of West Wickham common.
|
|
20
|
|
|
We reached Gates Green Road where some pollarded Oaks, possibly 700 years old, and sometimes called the 'Domesday Oaks', were passed. This example was merely a large hollow stump compared to others.
Here we left the LOOP for Hayes station, a half mile walk away, and went home.
|
