Rescue Mission

OXTED TO SOUTH CROYDON VIA CHELSHAM, FARLEIGH GOLF COURSE, SELSDON WOOD, LITTLEHEATH WOODS, BRAMLEY BANK AND ADDINGTON HILL

I need to come clean. The back story to this walk involved the very sad demise of a pet gerbil. Already in pairs, our four rodents were down to three and with the death of Janet, Susan was left all alone at quite a young age. With this is mind and against my better judgement, I had formulated a walk that involved the collection of another lonely lady in the hope that friends could be made. With this system, the gerbil dynasty might never end and such was my acknowledgement of this foolishness that I had only told my daughter of the plan. I'm not a keeper of secrets and the walk was adding an unnecessary frisson to the experience. The other motivation was to articulate north in an obvious walking gap.

Much of this route travels on the Vanguard Way, a path we've been on before, if a little further to the south. Bits of it are also on the London Loop and I daresay, I'll be back here walking in the opposite direction in a few months time.

Oxted is accessible via East Croydon in around an hour. Return can be made via the same from South Croydon Station.

It was dark and overcast when I set out from the Station. You are immediately on the Vanguard Way. This is marked a bit further on as the Greensand Way on the OS Map but is confusing because the official route does not seem to cross the motorway. Take to Station Road East and head a little bit south. Go left on Gresham Road. At Bluehouse Lane, turn right and then continue north onto Park Road on the left. This footpath passes to school playing fields before opening out. I met a walker who asked about my journey. His impatient dog halted our conversation. Continue into the Chalkpit Wood and out to rejoin the official footpath over the M25. Your northward march has you crossing the Pilgrim's and the North Downs Way. You can climb directly and steeply up the National Trust Oxted Downs or walk obliquely to exit Beech Plantation and join the northward end of Chalkpit Lane to cross The Ridge. You are also on the Greenwich Meridan Trail and a marker exists on the southern edge of the Titsey Plantation we passed, east of where we came up hill.

Beyond Flint house with its notable boundary wall, you climb to the NDW high point of Botley Hill. You can use the road to visit the rather squat 1931 Woldingham water tower and pair of wireless transmitters. The trig point is somewhere on the fabric of the tower. I didn't go here but stuck to the VW. Descend beyond Greenhill Shaw and join Slines Oak Road in Woldingham. I passed some long-horned cattle who found me unexpected. Leave the road on the right and follow the edge of the field with the disconcerting sign that tells you not to walk on the grass?? The next horsey field is straight up and you're free to mingle on this access land but don't. A stiff climb is rewarded with a bench on Nore Hill, donated by the ramblers. Continue in this direction. I hesitated at the edge because another bunch of cows were eyeing me in the centre of the field. I turned left at the edge although the actual path is slightly before this. Head for the gate at the edge of the wood known as Slines Oak. You will exit on to Limpsfield Road.

Follow Ledgers Road into Worms Heath, bearing left on the bridleway, still following the Vanguard Way. Now deviate into Henley Wood at Chelsham and over some medieval earthworks; a 13th Century pottery and manor house. Warlingham provides a nice walking route through here. Follow the footpath through to the Common and follow the marked walking path to the Bull Inn. The VW passes it by before joining the Chelsham Road and then crossing it to follow the edge of the Greatpark Wood. St Mary's Church was in voice and harking the herald angels.

For convenience and the mission, cross directly the road, leave the VW and continue over the Farleigh Golf Course on the well-marked bridleway. Cut the corner of the Tandridge Border Path and take the bridleway through Frith Wood and join it west. The now London Loop enters Selsdon Wood and geographically goes downhill into Selsdon via the Addington Border path. You now step into Littleheath Woods and follow the path to Fallen Oak Field past the water tower. Others can cross the field directly but I missed my turn an awkwardly backtracked from the corner. You have left the Vanguard and are firmly now following the London Loop into Bramley Bank. I greeted and overtook a couple of other walkers on what remained a thickly blanketed and largely, atmospherically overcast day.

The path exits on to Resco Way and then turns right and down to a pond at a house named Heathfield. Nearing my destination, I somehow rejoined the walking couple and they guided me over Coombe Lane and up to the summit of the Addington Hills. Just keep going up and enjoy the viewpoint. This was a deeply satisfying highlight, especially as my plan was going well.

Now descend on the right side of the viewpoint on the path. Switch back and leave the Loop for a southwestern route paralleling Oak Road. Cross the tramline at the appropriate crossing and reach Coombe Road. I checked my timings on this busy road and decided I had time for a predictable meal at the Coombe Lodge Wetherspoon. It was a very fine example. Now follow Coombe Lane west for some way and Birdhurst Lane on the left. Take a right on a footpath that leads directly over the railtrack and down to South Croydon Station. You can make your escape from here.

I, on the other hand, took a secret route the crowds of Selhurst match day supporters to my rendezvous to collect Julie. She had some journey back and I am glad to report she has settled well back in Burgess Hill.