Walk 43 : Whyteleafe Circular

A circular walk through fields, valleys, woods and nature reserves on the fringe of London, covered by a Travelcard Zone 6 ticket.

Length	Main Walk, returning to Whyteleafe: 20½ km (12.7 miles). Five hours 30 minutes walking time. For the whole excursion including trains, sights and meals, allow 8 hours 30 minutes. Main Walk, finishing in Warlingham: 17 km (10.6 miles). Four hours 30 minutes walking time. Short Walk, finishing in Woldingham: 13 km (8.1 miles), or 11¼ km with short cut. Up to three hours 15 minutes walking time.
OS Maps	Explorer 146 & 161. Whyteleafe, map reference TQ338585, is on the London/Surrey border, 8 km S of Croydon.
Streetmaps
Toughness	6 out of 10 (3 out of 10 for the Short Walk).
Features	On the border of London and Surrey you are never far from a residential area, but for the most part this area feels much more rural. Away from the main roads you are soon in woods, fields and isolated valleys protected from – or forgotten by – developers. The two walks described here share the same morning section, starting with a climb to the top of Riddlesdown, with fine views. The route continues through Kings Wood, which is carpeted in bluebells in spring. Lunch is at a large and popular country pub on the edge of Great Farleigh Green. Afterwards the Main Walk takes a fairly strenuous route across several valleys and through two Nature Reserves: Hutchinson's Bank and Selsdon Wood. It loops back through Kings Wood (again) before you get the chance of some welcome refreshment in one of Warlingham's pubs or cafés. If you complete the full figure-of-eight circuit back to Whyteleafe there are some nice views over Halliloo Valley from Bug Hill, but this final section also contains a fair amount of road walking and you might prefer to finish in Warlingham and take the 403 bus to Croydon. The Short Walk is much easier and goes via Chelsham and Halliloo Valley to Woldingham, returning from the station there (rather than Whyteleafe). The suggested route goes on rights of way through Holt Wood, which is used for pheasant shooting (from Oct 1 to Feb 1, except Sundays and Christmas Day), but you can choose to avoid this by taking the short cut described in the text. The Walk Map is rather complicated because of the abundance of stations in and around Whyteleafe, giving several options for the start and finish of the walks. In addition, the routes of the two walks come close together near the end, which allows you to switch between them and finish at whichever station is more convenient.
Shortening the Walk	You can abandon the Main Walk in mid-afternoon by diverting to New Addington, where there are frequent trams to East Croydon station. There are several places along the way where you can catch a bus to Croydon. The 403 runs every 12-20 minutes along Limpsfield Road, starting from Sainsbury's (on the Short Walk route) and continuing through Warlingham and Hamsey Green. The 409 runs hourly on weekdays via Warlingham, Chelsham and Farleigh, but Travelcards are only valid on this route inside the London boundary (which is where the Main Walk leaves Selsdon Wood).
Transport	There are no fewer than three stations in Whyteleafe. The most convenient starting point is Upper Warlingham, which has a fast half-hourly service from Victoria. Whyteleafe and Whyteleafe South have more frequent but slower trains from both Victoria and London Bridge. Woldingham (where the Short Walk finishes) is on the same line as Upper Warlingham. All three Whyteleafe stations are in London Travelcard Zone 6, but Woldingham is just outside it. For the Main Walk, the most flexible ticket is a Travelcard covering Zone 6, which gives you the option of finishing the walk in Warlingham and taking London bus 403 back to Croydon (a Travelcard is also valid on the Tramlink from New Addington). If you are not buying a Travelcard, a day return to Upper Warlingham or Whyteleafe South is valid for all three Whyteleafe stations. A day return to Woldingham is the simplest option for the Short Walk. If driving, there are car parks at Upper Warlingham and Whyteleafe stations which are free on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Saturday Walkers Club	Take the train nearest to 10:20 from Victoria to Upper Warlingham, taking 28 minutes.
Train Times
Lunch	The recommended lunch pub on all the walk options is the Harrow Inn (01883-629031) on Great Farleigh Green, about 6½ km into the walk. It has plenty of space both inside and outdoors, although it is on a fairly busy road. It has a good selection of food and can be very busy, especially for Sunday lunch. There are no other pubs on the Main Walk route until you reach Warlingham, but the Bull Inn (01883-622970) on Chelsham Common is a later alternative on the Short Walk.
Tea	Near the end of the Main Walk there are two nice pubs just off Warlingham Green, The Horseshoe (01883-622009) and The White Lion (01883-629011). These serve tea and coffee as well as stronger fare. There are two small cafés around the green: Coffee at the Green (01883-625777) and the Village Café (01883-623917). There is nothing quite so appealing near the stations in Whyteleafe. There is a pub and café/diner of the ‘all-day breakfast’ type on the main road, but at the time of writing the latter closes at around 3pm. There are no refreshment places near Whyteleafe South station. In contrast, there is a nice tearoom at the end of the Short Walk, the Dene Coffee Shop (01883-652712) at Woldingham Dene; it is open until 4.30pm weekdays, but 4pm on Sundays and throughout January & February.

Travel by Train	Out: Back:
Travel by Car	Start: Whyteleafe Station is near : CR3 0AD [gmap]
OS Explorer Map	146 : Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate [Amazon] 161 : London South [Amazon]
Other London (Inside the M25) Walks	Knockholt Circular, Whyteleafe to Hayes, Greenford to Osterley, West Byfleet to Hampton Court, Wimbledon to Kingston, Hayes to Knockholt,

Walking Instructions 

Walk Options ( Main | Short )

Click on any option to show the sections making up that route, or the heading above to show all sections.

Main Walk, returning to Whyteleafe (20½ km)

Main Walk, ending in Warlingham (17 km)

Short Walk, ending in Woldingham (13 km)

Walk Directions

Click on any section heading to switch between detailed directions and an outline, or the heading above to do the same for all sections.

Whyteleafe to Limpsfield Road (3¼ km)

From either Upper Warlingham or Whyteleafe Station, head for the Recreation Ground in Hillbury Road. Go up to its top left-hand corner and continue uphill on a path parallel to the railway. At the top bear right to go around the quarry onto Riddlesdown and continue along the ridge. Turn right before reaching a school to go along the edge of a large field and then through some trees. Go around a primary school to reach Limpsfield Road.

The most convenient station for this walk is Upper Warlingham, but you can also start from Whyteleafe Station, which is only a few minutes away.

Starting from Upper Warlingham¹ Station

Go up the steps in the middle of the platform and turn right on the footbridge to come out onto Westhall Road. Turn left, go down to the bottom of the hill and turn right into Hillbury Road. In 80m turn left into Whyteleafe Recreation Ground.

Starting from Whyteleafe Station

Leave the station by a path at the front of the platform and turn sharp left. Go across the roundabout on the A22 (there is a pedestrian crossing off to the left), up the B270 (Hillbury Road) and under the railway bridge. In 100m turn left into Whyteleafe Recreation Ground.

Go through the small car park, past some public toilets and continue ahead on the tarmac path. In the centre of the Recreation Ground, fork left onto a path which leads up towards the far corner, where there is a bridge under the railway (you can also cut across the grass to this point, of course). Just before reaching the bridge, bear right onto a faint grassy path heading N, parallel to the railway and climbing steadily.

In 500m, after going into a more wooded area, the path meets a high metal railing, but 10m before reaching it, bear right uphill onto a path. This soon comes out into a field and you continue along the left-hand field edge. In 100m the path goes through a gap in the trees. Turn left on the other side to emerge onto Riddlesdown², with the high metal railing now on your left.

Continue alongside the railing guarding Riddlesdown Quarry. Where this ends, bear slightly left and then fork right to continue along the ridge in much the same direction. The path goes past a number of wooden benches and eventually reaches a hedge. Go through a gap and continue ahead on the other side. In 75m fork right and go up to the hedge on your right.

Go through a gap and bear right across a wide path into a small wooded area with school playing fields on your left. This soon comes out into the corner of a large field. Go all the way along the left-hand field edge, veering right at the end to find a path into some trees by a wooden notice-board.

Go down this path to emerge onto a semi-open area and continue ahead, past a group of young trees. Climb up the other side of the dip and continue in the same direction where a path from the woods merges from the right. Later a school playing field appears behind a fence on the left; continue to the end of this and turn left onto a narrow path between the playing field and houses. At the entrance to the school (Atwood Primary) the path turns right and comes out onto Limpsfield Road.

Limpsfield Road to Old Farleigh Road (3 km)

Cross Limpsfield Road and continue along residential roads to reach Kings Wood. Take any route through the wood to come out in its south-east corner. Turn right onto Kingswood Lane and continue along the side of a field to pick up a bridleway heading to Old Farleigh Road.

Turn left into Limpsfield Road, crossing over at the pedestrian lights. Just after the lights, turn right into Sanderstead Court Avenue. Where this road curves left at the bottom of the slope, turn right into Lime Meadow Avenue and follow it up and round to the left. Where this road ends at the entrance to a sports ground, turn right onto a footpath. This leads into Kings Wood³.

Kings Wood is based on a simple grid pattern of straight, wide paths, and there is no need to follow these directions exactly. If you are feeling adventurous, go straight on when you enter the wood: if you maintain a south-easterly course (continuing ahead at path crossings but forking left whenever the path splits) you should emerge by the information panel mentioned below in about 500m.

A straightforward route is to turn left on entering the wood. Fork right in 50m and in another 100m bear right onto a wide path. This runs in a straight line through the whole length of the wood, with major path crossings every 200m or so; at the second of these crossings, where there is an information panel about the wood, turn left to head NE.

In 100m, turn right onto a side path which meanders through the trees. In 100m it skirts around the edge of a small pond and in another 125m comes out onto a wide path. Turn left, then in 40m turn right at another major path crossing to head SE.

Follow this wide path for 300m, ignoring side turns. Fork left at the edge of the wood, follow the path out to Kingswood Lane and turn right to head S, soon passing Kingswood Lodge. 200m along the lane, where it turns to the right, go through a squeeze gate on the left onto a narrow path, with a field on your right. In 125m, turn left at a path T-junction and now follow this bridleway for 900m to reach Old Farleigh Road.

Old Farleigh Road to Greatpark Wood (¾ km)

To visit the lunchtime pub, turn right in front of the wood to walk along Great Farleigh Green to the Harrow Inn. From the pub, take the bridleway alongside Harrow Road to the corner of Greatpark Wood. Alternatively, go ahead through Littlepark Wood and bear right along the edge of a field to reach Greatpark Wood.

Cross Old Farleigh Road carefully to go onto Great Farleigh Green, with Littlepark Wood ahead.

If you are not visiting the Harrow Inn you can take an alternative route through Littlepark Wood, away from the road.

To Greatpark Wood via the Harrow Inn

Turn right anywhere before the wood to walk parallel to the road. In 300m, cross back over the main road at the junction with Harrow Road to reach the recommended lunchtime pub, the Harrow Inn.

From the pub, return to the road junction. If it is not too muddy, take the bridleway to the left of Harrow Road, which goes between the back gardens of houses and Littlepark Wood. Continue along it for 300m to a small clearing.

Alternatively, you can go along Harrow Road for 300m, then turn left into a lane. This comes to the clearing in 100m, with the bridleway joining from the left.

At the clearing, go between wooden posts and past a white-painted metal post on the left⁴, heading E. In a further 200m, the bridleway comes to a path junction at the entrance to Greatpark Wood, with a footpath going off to the right past metal barriers, and another path joining from the field on the left.

To Greatpark Wood via Littlepark Wood

Go straight across the common towards the left-hand edge of Littlepark Wood and take a footpath going half-right into the trees. Ignore a left fork and continue in the same direction until the path bears left and comes out onto a large field.

Turn right here to follow the field edge. About 100m before the end of the field, turn half-left to cut off a corner of the field (this is the right of way, although it may not be visible if the field has just been ploughed). Enter Greatpark Wood, go up to a path junction and turn left.

If you are doing the Short Walk, continue the directions at §9.

Greatpark Wood to Featherbed Lane (2½ km)

Take the footpath heading north-east along the edge of the Greatpark estate. Continue ahead, later bearing right and crossing two stiles to reach a bridleway. Turn left onto the bridleway and soon fork left off it onto a footpath which leads across fields and over a minor road to Little Farleigh Green. Continue in the same direction on a path which descends through woodland. This eventually comes to an access road which leads to Featherbed Lane by Pear Tree Farm cottage. Cross the road to enter Hutchinson's Bank Nature Reserve.

Follow the bridleway into the wood for just a few metres, then fork right onto a footpath, past wooden barriers. This narrow path goes along the edge of the wood, soon curving left to head NE. The large new Greatpark estate appears on your right; opposite the prominent clocktower there is a plaque⁵ by some metal gates.

Continue NE along the path and then in the same direction into the wood where the estate ends. 100m into the wood, veer right with the path; it becomes less distinct but stays close to the wire fence on your right. In another 200m go over a stile and follow the path to the right. In 40m cross another stile, go up to a path T-junction in front of a hedge and turn left. In 30m this path comes to a junction with a bridleway.

Turn left onto the bridleway, but only for 30m as it curves round to the right; fork left towards a rusty fieldgate and go over a stile on its right into a field. Head N across the field towards the corner of the wood, 150m away. Go over another stile here and bear right across the next field towards some trees. Follow the path through these trees to a minor road.

Cross the road and continue in the same direction on a bridleway opposite. This soon comes out onto a more open area, Little Farleigh Green, with a row of modern cottages on the other side of a lane to your left. Continue to head NE on the main path, ignoring faint paths off to both sides. Later, the path starts to descend gradually through woodland and in 1 km comes out onto the access road to a large recycling centre. Continue ahead along this, passing Pear Tree Farm Cottage, to reach Featherbed Lane.

Along Hutchinson's Bank (1¼ km)

Take any route along Hutchinson's Bank, returning to Featherbed Lane at its junction with Farleigh Dean Crescent. The shortest route is along the bridleway parallel to the road but there are nicer routes higher up the bank.

Cross Featherbed Lane carefully and go through the hedge opposite into Hutchinson's Bank Nature Reserve⁶.

There are several paths along Hutchinson's Bank and the shortest route is to turn left immediately onto a wide bridleway, heading north-west. This runs parallel to the road for 1 km, up to its junction with Farleigh Dean Crescent. However, it is much more pleasant to climb up the bank and follow a higher route in the same direction; you should also do this if you want to finish the walk in New Addington.

For the recommended route, turn right onto the bridleway and in 30m turn left up a wide path. Halfway up the bank, fork left. As the path levels out, and just after another path merges from the right, turn left onto a narrow path which leads to a new wooden fence and gate. Go through the gate onto an open area near the top of the bank (where goats may be grazing), with fine views down the valley. Continue on any path along the bank to another new wooden gate.

At this second wooden gate you could keep ahead near the top of the bank, in which case you would eventually come to a T-junction with a tarmac path. If you do this, turn left to go steeply downhill to Featherbed Lane for the Main Walk and continue the directions in §6. To finish the walk in New Addington, however, follow the directions below.

Finishing in New Addington (+300m)

Turn right onto the tarmac path and follow it uphill to North Downs Road. Turn left and in 25m veer right along a tarmac path on the right of a wide grassy area. The Croydon Tramlink stop is on the other side of a road at the end of this path. There are some cafés and takeaway places in the parade of shops off to the right.

The suggested route (after going through the second gate on Hutchinson's Bank) is to turn left, steeply downhill. Halfway down the slope, turn right onto a wide track, which goes past an information panel about the Nature Reserve. You could then simply continue along this track, which leads into a cul-de-sac (Farleigh Dean Crescent) and so down to its junction with Featherbed Lane. A nicer route is to veer left downhill at some point and turn right onto any of the paths which run parallel to Featherbed Lane near the bottom of the valley; these all lead to the same junction.

Featherbed Lane to Old Farleigh Road (2½ km)

A little way past the junction with Farleigh Dean Crescent, cross back over Featherbed Lane and take the bridleway into Frith Wood. In 150m, turn right onto a path to stay near the edge of the wood. Follow this through the wood until it comes out onto a track on the edge of another valley. Turn right onto this bridleway and follow it down to Selsdon Wood. Take any route through the wood, leaving it through the small car park in its westernmost corner to reach Old Farleigh Road.

Cross back over Featherbed Lane a little way past its junction with Farleigh Dean Crescent and take the bridleway (signposted to Farleigh Court Road) uphill into Frith Wood, with a golf course on your right. In 150m, just before a blue arrow on a post, take an unmarked path on the right, leaving the bridleway. This path soon curves left to head W near the edge of the wood.

Stay on this path for 750m, ignoring ways off to the left. After the end of the golf course, the path meanders through the trees and eventually emerges onto a chalky track between hedges, with another golf course on the other side. Turn right and follow this track downhill to a major path crossing, with a bridleway on the left, a tree-lined residential street on the right, and a sign for Selsdon Wood Nature Reserve⁷ ahead. Go past the sign into the wood.

Selsdon Wood is a pleasant place to explore and it seems invidious to specify a particular route through it. You enter the wood at its easternmost point and eventually you want to leave it via the car park in its westernmost corner, about 1 km away. Most of the area is wooded, but near the car park there are open fields separated by hedgerows and small copses of trees. Some possible routes are outlined below:

• Fork left in 75m, where the London Loop goes right. The path climbs gently for 250m and then emerges onto an open area. Head for the copse opposite and bear left to go alongside it. At the end, bear slightly right downhill and follow a grassy path more or less due W through several fields and hedgerows to the car park.

• Fork right along the London Loop for about 500m and then turn left onto any of the wide paths through the wood heading SW. When you come to an open area, continue in much the same direction (perhaps slightly to the right) to reach the car park.

• Turn left at a path crossing just after the initial fork. At another crossing after 300m, go straight on and continue W through the wood. At some point, veer right into an open area and go through this to the car park.

• Turn left (as above), then left again at the second path crossing, staying closer to the edge of the wood. Later you will need to choose one of the paths going off to the right and head NW to reach the car park.

Leave Selsdon Wood through its car park to come to Old Farleigh Road.

Old Farleigh Road to Warlingham (3¾ km)

Turn left onto Kingswood Lane and follow this residential road for about 800m to reach Kings Wood. As before, take any route through the wood, this time leaving it in the centre of its south-east side, at the end of a long straight path. Turn right onto Kingswood Lane, then left onto an unmade-up lane. At the top go past a house and then keep right on an enclosed path. At the end go across a playing field, then along alleys in the same direction. Go onto a residential street which goes past a church, then ahead onto a right of way between houses and a playing field. At a path junction fork left, then bear right through a small playing area. Go along a minor road to reach Farleigh Road by Warlingham Village Hall, with a couple of pubs on the right.

Cross over Old Farleigh Road and turn right. Almost immediately, turn left into Kingswood Way. This quiet residential road soon starts to climb gently. In 300m you go across Kersey Drive, then in another 300m the road bends to the right. Soon after it curves back to the left, and opposite a large new house “Woodgate”, make your way past a vehicle barrier on the right to join a wide path into Kings Wood.

For your second foray into this wood you can again take any route you wish. You need to leave the wood in the centre of its south-east side, at the end of a long straight path through the length of the wood.

A straightforward route is to turn left in 75m at the first path crossing. In 200m, go straight on at a path crossing and in another 200m, turn right at a path T-junction. In 100m go straight on at a major path crossing (with a low wooden bench). Finally, in 200m turn left at the next major path crossing and now follow this long wide path through the rest of the wood.

At the exit from the wood, the path continues ahead for 75m to reach Kingswood Lane, where you turn right. In 30m turn left into an unmade-up lane, signposted as a bridleway to Farleigh Common. Go up to and through a small car-parking area in front of “Kingsmead” and veer left through a gap in the fence onto a car-wide track. In 30m ignore two paths off to the left and keep right to head S between fences.

In 250m the path comes out into the corner of a playing field, in front of a children's playground. Bear right and go round two sides of the field to the opposite corner. Continue along an alley between fences, across one residential street and then up to another. Turn left and follow this road as it curves round to the right to continue in the same direction.

In 150m you pass All Saints' Church and continue ahead into Church Lane (ignore the ‘Residents Only’ sign: this is a right of way). At the end of this cul-de-sac veer left between metal barriers onto a narrow path. After passing some new houses behind a high wall, turn left at a path T-junction to go through a wooden kissing gate into a small playing area.

Bear right and go across the grass to another kissing gate. Continue in the same direction along a minor road, which in 150m meets Farleigh Road by the Village Hall. There are several possible tea places on your right: The Horseshoe and (next to it) The White Lion, with some cafés a little further along by the green.

Warlingham is a nice place to end this walk and it has a frequent bus service (403) to Croydon, on which Travelcards are valid. The bus stop is just off to the right, on Warlingham Green: go over the zebra crossing opposite The White Lion, turn right and bear left alongside the green to reach it.

To return to Whyteleafe by the recommended route, continue the directions at §12 (also go here if you want to finish the walk in Woldingham). The section below describes a shorter route towards Whyteleafe along residential roads.

Warlingham to Landscape Road direct (1¼ km)

From The Horseshoe, cross Limpsfield Road into Chapel Road and go straight across a green. Join Westhall Road and follow it to its junction with Landscape Road.

From any of the tea places, go up to the B269 (Limpsfield Road) and cross over (there is a zebra crossing opposite The White Lion). Opposite The Horseshoe and the Village Hall, turn into Chapel Road and follow this out to a green. Go straight across it to join Westhall Road, heading SW.

In 150m, ignore the B270 turning on the right, signposted to Whyteleafe. In a further 500m, stay on Westhall Road (forking right) where Narrow Lane goes off to the left. In 200m the road turns right where Landscape Road joins from the left.

To complete the Main Walk, go to §14.

Greatpark Wood to Chelsham Common (2½ or ¾ km)

For the longer route via Holt Wood, take the footpath heading north-east along the edge of the Greatpark estate. Continue ahead, later bearing right and crossing two stiles to reach a bridleway (up to here, this is the same route as the Main Walk). Now turn sharp right and follow the bridleway through Holt Wood for about 500m. Cross a stile on the right and follow a faint path through the trees, emerging onto a road near Chelsham Common. Turn right and go across the common to its far corner. For a shorter route, go through the metal barriers on your right and follow the footpath to a road. Turn right, then bear left to come to a lane leading onto Chelsham Common. Bear right across the common to the far side.

You can cut 1¾ km off the Short Walk by taking a more direct route to Chelsham Common, avoiding Holt Wood.

To Chelsham Common via Holt Wood (2½ km)

Follow the bridleway into the wood for just a few metres, then fork right onto a footpath, past wooden barriers. This narrow path goes along the edge of the wood, soon curving left to head NE. The large new Greatpark estate appears on your right; opposite the prominent clocktower there is a plaque⁵ by some metal gates.

Continue NE along the path and then in the same direction into the wood where the estate ends. 100m into the wood, veer right with the path; it becomes less distinct but stays close to the wire fence on your right. In another 200m go over a stile and follow the path to the right. In 40m cross another stile, go up to a path T-junction in front of a hedge and turn left. In 30m this path comes to a junction with a bridleway.

Turn sharp right onto the bridleway, which initially goes between fields. In 125m, ignore paths off to both sides and continue into Holt Wood. In another 125m, veer right with the main path, again ignoring side paths. Continue on this path for a further 275m, where there is a track leading off to the left and a stile on the right.

Go over the stile on your right and follow a path W into the conifers, with occasional yellow footpath markers. In 100m a wire fence appears on the right; the main path soon veers off to the left but you continue ahead alongside the fence. Later there is a field on the left, behind a barbed wire fence. At the end of the field, continue ahead for 50m to a stile. Go past this and turn left past some garages onto a driveway, which leads to a road.

Turn right onto the road and go up to a crossroads. Turn right into Ledgers Road, then in 60m bear left onto a faint grassy path past a pond, which leads onto Chelsham Common. Continue to the far corner of the triangular common, parallel to Chelsham Common Road on your left and passing the Bull Inn on your right halfway across.

To Chelsham Common direct (¾ km)

At the path junction where you entered the wood, go through the metal barriers on your right onto a footpath, heading SE. This narrow path goes between fences, soon with the new Greatpark estate visible on your left.

After 350m the path comes to the estate's access road opposite Warlingham Park School. Turn right onto the road, which leads to a crossroads. Before reaching this, however, take one of the faint paths on the left which cuts off the corner (there is one immediately after the bus shelter), coming to the road from the junction. Cross over and continue along the pot-holed lane opposite.

If these paths are overgrown, simply continue up to the crossroads and turn left, then take the first turning on the right into the lane.

Go past some cottages to reach the Bull Inn on Chelsham Common, then bear right onto the triangular common and follow a wide grassy path SW to the far corner.

Chelsham Common to Halliloo Valley (2 km)

Continue ahead on Chelsham Road, then turn left onto a bridleway which leads to Limpsfield Road. Cross this onto High Lane, later turning right onto a bridleway which goes along the side of Halliloo valley for about 1 km.

At the end of the common continue in the same direction along Chelsham Road. In 100m, turn left onto a bridleway into a wood, signposted as Cycle Route 21. After passing Cherry Tree Cottage, ignore a footpath off to the left and continue SW through the wood. After leaving the wood the path goes alongside Greenlawn Memorial Park and later passes Chelsham Place Farm before reaching Limpsfield Road.

If you want to finish the walk at this point, turn right to go past the Hare & Hounds pub, a possible tea stop. On the other side of the roundabout (outside Sainsbury's) you will find the terminus for the 403 bus, which you can take to Croydon.

To continue the walk, cross Limpsfield Road carefully to go onto High Lane opposite. Follow this round to the left as it goes gently downhill. 200m from the main road, turn right into Plantation Lane.

This bridleway descends gently, with occasional views of Halliloo valley and its golf course through the hedge on your left. In 800m the path curves to the left and begins to descend more steeply. In a further 150m or so there is a stile on the left leading onto the golf course, and a footpath marker pointing up the hill on your right.

If you would prefer to complete a circular walk back to Whyteleafe, follow the link section below to join the Main Walk route.

Halliloo Valley to Bug Hill (+250m)

Opposite the stile, take a narrow path on the right which heads steeply uphill into the wood. In front of a house, turn right and follow the path up to a minor road (take care as you join this narrow road as there is no pavement). Turn sharp left onto the road to head back down the hill.

To continue towards Whyteleafe, go to §13.

Halliloo Valley to Slines New Road (½ or ¾ km)

Go across the golf course (there is a choice of routes) and leave it opposite Park Ley Road.

Continue downhill along the bridleway for a further 75m, where there is a three-way signpost.

To avoid walking alongside a busy road, the recommended route cuts straight across the golf course, but if you would rather not do this, follow the slightly longer alternative route below.

Golf course route (½ km)

Turn sharp right at the signpost, going back uphill for a few metres. Bear left and walk along the bank, with shrubs on your right and the clubhouse below on your left. In 150m you come to another three-way signpost, where you turn three-quarters left.

The route continues down and straight across a driving range and fairways on the golf course, although there is no visible path on the ground, just a couple of wooden marker posts along the way. Aim for an isolated house on the other side of the road 300m away, due S (to the right of the direction indicated by the footpath sign). Leave the golf course through a gap in the hedge onto the road.

Alternative route (¾ km)

Continue downhill on the bridleway. Go past the clubhouse and straight ahead up the other side of the valley. Just before meeting a road, turn right onto a horse ride running parallel to it. In 300m veer left through a gap in the hedge to come out onto the road.

To complete the Short Walk, go to §16.

Warlingham to Bug Hill (1 km)

From Limpsfield Road, go through Blanchman's Farm Nature Reserve to Leas Road. Turn left to reach the top of Bug Hill.

From any of the tea places, go up to the B269 (Limpsfield Road) and cross over (there is a zebra crossing opposite the White Lion). Turn left and follow the road SE (away from the green) for 300m. After passing Mayes Close, and opposite Bond Road, turn right into Blanchman's Farm Nature Reserve⁸ by an information panel.

Go along a wide track, then through a wooden kissing gate into a corner of what used to be a Recreation Ground. Continue along a gravel path on its right-hand edge, with houses behind a fence on your right. Ignore a path on the right where these end, but at a path T-junction up ahead by a pond, fork right. In 80m fork left at the next junction, then in 50m (where the main path veers right) continue ahead on an enclosed path between fields. At the end go through a small belt of trees and a wooden swing gate to emerge onto Leas Road/Bug Hill. Turn left onto this road (ie. not sharp left into Beechwood Lane) and continue past its junction with Tydcombe Road.

If you want to finish the walk in Woldingham, go to §15 to link up with the Short Walk route.

Bug Hill to Westhall Road (1½ km)

Continue down Bug Hill, then bear right onto a footpath which runs along the top of two fields. At the end turn right uphill onto a track which leads into a residential road. Continue ahead into Landscape Road to come to its junction with Westhall Road.

Continue along the road as it narrows and goes downhill. Take care as there is no pavement. After descending for 200m, take an unmarked path on the right which initially runs close to the road, then gradually moves away. Cross a stile and follow a clear path along the top of two fields, with fine views over Halliloo valley towards Woldingham on the left. At the end of the second field, cross a stile to reach a wide track and turn right to go uphill.

The track leads onto a tarmac lane which goes past houses and emerges onto a road. Continue ahead, ignoring side turns, to reach a junction with Succombs Hill/Narrow Lane. Cross this busy road carefully and continue ahead on Landscape Road. In 300m this comes to a junction with Westhall Road.

Westhall/Landscape Road to Whyteleafe (1 or ¾ km)

To go to Upper Warlingham Station, continue along Westhall Road. The station is on the left in 1 km. Alternatively, to go to Whyteleafe South Station, go left on a tarmac path between fences, which soon drops steeply down the side of the valley. At the bottom continue ahead on a minor road, then turn right at a T-junction with the A22. The station is on the left in 200m.

There are two stations in Whyteleafe where you can finish the walk. Upper Warlingham has a fast half-hourly service, but Whyteleafe South is slightly closer and has four trains an hour during the day.

Finishing at Upper Warlingham Station (1 km)

Continue along Westhall road (ie. staying in the same direction if joining from Landscape Road). After 500m the road curves left and descends steeply. 100m after the road curves back round to the right, with a view of the valley ahead on your left, take a tarmac path on the left which leads to a footbridge over the railway. Trains to London leave from the platform on the far side.

Finishing at Whyteleafe South Station (¾ km)

At the road junction, take a tarmac path between fences heading W (ie. turn left if coming from Landscape Road). The path soon starts to go downhill and crosses a minor road, then becomes a flight of steps (known as Jacob's Ladder) as it plunges down the side of the valley.

At the bottom, go straight on under a railway bridge and continue along Well Farm Road, between offices and a large housing development. At a T-junction with the A22, turn right and cross the main road carefully (pedestrian lights are promised here). The station is 200m ahead on the left, at the junction with Salmons Lane. Go over the level crossing and turn right onto the platform for trains to London.

Bug Hill to Slines New Road (½ or ¾ km)

Go down the side of the valley and across the golf course (there is a choice of routes) and leave it opposite Park Ley Road.

Immediately after the road junction, bear left onto a narrow path which goes downhill, staying close to the road. Where the path comes to a house on the right, ignore a path going steeply downhill on the left and continue ahead. The path eventually emerges onto a more open area, overlooking a golf course. It bends to the right and immediately forks.

To avoid walking alongside a busy road, the recommended route cuts straight across the golf course, but if you would rather not do this, follow the slightly longer alternative route below.

Golf course route (½ km)

For the more direct route, take the left fork sloping down the hill to a three-way signpost about 150m away.

The route continues down and straight across a driving range and fairways on the golf course, although there is no visible path on the ground, just a couple of wooden marker posts along the way. Aim for an isolated house on the other side of the road 300m away, due S (to the right of the direction indicated by the footpath sign). Leave the golf course through a gap in the hedge onto the road.

Alternative route (¾ km)

For the alternative route, take the right fork here to go gently down the side of the hill for about 400m. Just before the path goes out to a road, turn left onto a horse ride running parallel to it. Follow this round to the left by a road junction, then in another 150m veer right through a gap in the hedge to come out onto the road.

Slines New Road to Woldingham Station (1 km)

Cross Slines New Road and follow a track down to Woldingham Road. A short distance along this road, the Dene Coffee Shop is at the end of a driveway on the left. The station is a further 600m along the road.

Cross Slines New Road carefully to go along Park Ley Road opposite (not the bridleway going uphill to its left). In 30m, bear right downhill on a track, following the Cycle Route 21 sign. The track comes to Woldingham Road, where you turn left. In 150m you come to the entrance to Woldingham Dene on your left.

If you do not wish to visit the tearoom, just continue ahead on the road.

To visit the Dene Coffee Shop, turn left into the driveway and follow it as it curves round to the left. The tearoom is in a house at the end of the driveway. Afterwards, you could return the same way to the road and turn left, but it is more pleasant to walk through a pergola leading to Knights Garden Centre. Leave this through its car park to go back onto Woldingham Road.

Continue S along Woldingham Road, passing Knights Garden Centre and Long Hill off to the left. In a further 300m, where the road turns sharply left, uphill, the entrance to Woldingham Station is on the other side of the road. Cross the footbridge for trains to London.

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» Last updated: January 26, 2010