The London Loop Leg 14
Hamsey Green to Banstead Station
Sunday, 23rd February, 2008 
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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.
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Click photos below for larger image
- typically 640x480 pixels
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Click below for larger image as specified
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Some commentary on the photos,
which is also a reflection on the walk
[Road information is just to help identify where we were].
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The 403 bus took as to Hamsey Green by the Good Companion Pub (Image 1) and we walked along Tithepit Shaw Lane and straight across to open ground and then alongside Dipsley's Shaw (Image 2). We continued straight on and passed the retired triangulation point (Image 3). We then turned left and went downhill along the hedged area (Image 4) which I think is now Riddlesdown.
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At the next left we paused (image 1), continued downhill (Image 3) until we dropped down to a gate (Image 3) and onto (I think an old road) Riddlesdown Road, which is more of a track. We continued on, over a railway, and walked close to it (Image 3).
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3
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We continued down this track (Image 1) to the A23 valley by a quarry, crossed the A23 and ascended this road (Image 2). Looking back (Image 3) we could see the quarry and the black silhouette of the railway on the horizon and then we turned and mounted these steep steps (Image 4).
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We reached Kenley Common and were greeted by this information Board.
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We continued (Image 1)and turned left off the LOOP and saw this glider plane (Image 2) at Kenley Aerodrome. This was Kenley Airfield and was a Battle of Britain Fighter Station in WW11.
We rejoined the LOOP, went down Golf Road, a cul de sac, and first turned right into Hayes Lane and then left and along a path through trees and across open ground. Image 3 is the view just before we crossed Old Lodge Lane. We crossed the lane and soon were beside the Kenley Observatory (Image 4) operated by Croydon Astronomical Society.
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We walked through these woods (Images 1 and 2) and the outskirts of Old Coulsdon via Waterhouse Lane and Rydons Lane.
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We arrived at Coulsdon Common and its Information Board.
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We reached a wide verge by Stites Hill Road (Image 1) crossed the road, went though a wood, crossed Coulsdon Road, and were soon at the Fox Pub (Image 2) where we took lunch. We then set off south west (Image 3) and turned north west towards Happy Valley (Image 4).
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This was Happy Valley. Here we turned left for Farthing Downs.
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Another Information Board - Farthing Downs and New Hill.
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Farthing Downs was a high ridge (Images 1 and 2 ) with Ditches Lane over it which had two sets of 'City of London' cattle grids. London's skyline was quite visible from here. The downs finished at Coulsdon (Image 3) where there was the northerly cattle grid (Image 4).
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We walked via Couldsdon South Station, which was not to built-up until we reached a busy roundabout. On our left was this very rural Free Range Farm (Image 1) compared to our right (Image 2) - the roundabout.
We walked through and beside an estate until we slipped onto this path (Image 3) which passed horses (Image 4) in a field.
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From the O/S map View Point there was London seen in the distance.
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A young rider kindly posed for a photograph.
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After the route switched about a little we were at a poster for Mayfield Lavender Nursery, advertising their Lavender oil, and pointing out that this region was worldly renown for lavender products in the past.
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A view of Mayfield's lavender field which we will be in bloom from June onwards.
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We left the lavender, crossed the road and entered Oaks Park where there were toilets and refreshments and a small garden (Image 1). We walked through the grounds and then along several paths which passed a field of horned sheep (Image 2), HM Prison, High Down (Image 3), and more horses (Image 4) in a field.
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A tree lined wall track (Images 1 and 2) and, somewhere, a wood contained snowdrops (Image 3) and the same, zoomed in, in Image 4.
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We reached Banstead Downs and also crossed a railway.
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20
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Our final journey was across a golf course (Images 1 and 2) and then onto Banstead Station and home.
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