The London Loop Leg 13
Hayes Station to Hamsey Green
Sunday, 9th March, 2008 
[Note: the West Essex Ramblers' did the walk on Saturday, 26th January 2008 when my wife and I were in India]
|
|
|
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 Hayes Station and walked about ½ mile to join the LOOP. The LOOP was urban to begin with until we entered Coney Hall Recreation Ground (Image 1), passed a millenium Stone * (Image 2) and exited the other side (Image 3). We then walked to the distant church.
* The engraving was very feint but was:
GREENWICH MERIDIAN LINE
0 LONGITUDE
THE LONDON BOROUGH OF BROMLEY
|
|
2
|
|
|
St John Rigby College (Image 1) was to our left and then we arrived at St John the Baptist church (Image 2). We walked around the church and we were atop a hill: we walked down a little and looked up (Image 3) but below us was a valley, where the A2022 ran, and urban West Wickham was on the other slope (Image 4). The latter image showed Sparrows Den Playing Fields where we were to cross the rugby fields diagonally until we reached the trees at the top to the left.
|
|
3
|
|
|
The information board, just off the LOOP's path, showed the LOOP path (not marked as such) in the centre of the dark green area (trees) which went from the top right to lower left.
|
|
4
|
|
|
The RIGHT image (image 4) was of Spring Park and at its edge (still in woods) was the boundary stone (Images 2 & 3) of Croydon and Bromley before the path continued through Threehalfpenny Wood (Image 1).
|
|
5
|
|
|
We entered a mixed area (Image 1) of glades and trees and beyond the distant chap was a gorse bush seen next in Image 2. Images 3 & 4 were typical scenes.
|
|
6
|
|
|
After a bit of a road walk and skirting a school playing field we were at Upper Shirley. This is a good lunch stop (there are two pubs) and here was sited this Tower Mill in Postmill Close (the road named after the original Post Mill which was fire damaged).
|
|
7
|
|
|
We easily climbed Addington Hill and looked over to London.
We saw: Wembly Stadium; The Gherkin; Canary Wharf; Crystal Palace Transmitter - at Crystal Palace Park; and Croydon Transmitter - on Upper Norwood Hill. It was all a bit blurry, because of slightly spitting rain. Binoculars are recommended.
|
|
8
|
|
|
Soon we were at Coombe Lane TRAM Station where we used the pedestrian crossing over the lines.
|
|
9
|
|
|
We crossed the A212 and went into Heathfield Gardens. Image 1 was near the entrance, Image 2 was as we walked towards the house, Image 3 was Heathfield House and there was an idyllic pond and garden (Image 4) close by.
|
|
10
|
|
|
These steps led up and away from the pond.
|
|
11
|
|
|
The pond again.
|
|
12
|
|
|
More rhododendrons as we left Heathfield.
|
|
13
|
|
|
We proceeded to Bramley Bank via Riesco Drive and walked straight down the main path to the red 'You are here' spot, where this photo was taken, and then through the gap between the roads and on towards Littleheath Woods.
|
|
14
|
|
|
These fungi were along the Bramley Bank path.
|
|
15
|
|
|
These horses were in a field which was the 'Square' chunk out of the Bramley Bank woods.
|
|
16
|
|
|
We left Bramley Bank and entered this glade (Image 1), you can see the rain drops! Where the visible path veered right we went across the grass and entered Heathfield woods. We turned left and followed the tree lined path (Image 2 ) along the Vanguard way. We walked through a narrow wood (Images 3 & 4) between housing estates until we reached the A2022 again, downhill from the Selsdon shopping area.
|
|
17
|
|
|
We crossed the road, went into a housing estate and quickly were on an old Bridleway (Picture 18, Image 1) and then reached the Selsdon Wood Nature Reserve and this Information Board.
|
|
18
|
|
|
For Image 1 read above. Image 2 was, I think, in Selsdon Wood whilst the line of trees (Image 3) was in or close to Paplet Wood. A local sculptor has been at this fallen tree (Image 4) and it was quite interesting, I thought.
|
|
19
|
|
|
Some heavy rain appeared but eased off as we descended a hill after Elm Farm where these bedraggle horses (Image 1) stood. Then across a field to our right was Selsdon Park Hotel (Image 2) on the horizon. Image 3 was a view of our path as it curved round between wood and field and then a view of Kingswood Lodge.
|
|
20
|
|
|
Finally there was a rainbow. A reflection on the day which had sun, overcast, and occasional rain.
|
