Ascent/Descent: about 100m
Net Walking Time: 2 hrs
Meet: Banstead Station (Zone 6)
Take the 18.03 Epsom Downs train from Victoria (all stations via Clapham J and Selhurst), arrives Banstead at 18.56.
Return: from Woodmansterne (Zone 6), every 30 minutes on xx.27 to Victoria via East Croydon, or from Coulsdon South (longer, alternative ending).
This walk passes through some Lavender Farms, which in July and August, should be a stunning sea of purple. It also goes through parkland (Oakes Park) and commons (Banstead Downs). The walk starts in Banstead Downs (now being cleared of scrub after years of neglect) with London skyline views from the Gally Hills. It then joins the London Loop Long Distance Path and crosses farmland towards Oaks Park (café, car park) - the parkland grounds of a former country house. After an optional loop of the park (short or long versions available), you cross public footpaths through a series of nurseries used for growing lavender. You then continue along the London Loop before leaving it for Woodmansterne station.
There also is an alternative, slightly longer, ending via Couldson High Street, passing The Pembroke pub, to South Coulsdon station, which has a better train service.
For walk directions, map, photos, and gpx/kml files click here.T=short.23
The main group struggled to find the right route through the first golf course (no one had a compass) and were overtaken by the late group halfway through the walk.
The lavender was already past its best (global warming?), but all in all a nice walk.
Complimentary drinks were offered at J & J's and were gladly accepted by 4 of us.
Next year: post it in early July.