Woldingham to Oxted walk

Close to London, this walk combines stretches of both The North Downs Way, and the Greensand Way.

History

This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.

Date Option Post # Weather
Sat, 21-Sep-24 Saturday walk - Woldingham to Oxted 6
Sat, 04-Nov-23 WOLDINGHAM TO OXTED 6 sun in the morning a shower at lunchtime then dry
Sun, 01-Jan-23 a New Year's Day Walk South – Woldingham to Oxted (short walk) 19 warm cloudy and dry
Sat, 29-Oct-22 Woldingham to Oxted - the North Downs Ridge and then some flatter bits 20 sticky subtropical heat
Sun, 14-Nov-21 Sunday Walk: Woldingham to Oxted 7 Mostly cloudy rain near end
Sat, 25-Sep-21 Saturday Walk - Woldingham to Oxted 14 cloudy
Sat, 11-Sep-21 Saturday Walk - Woldingham to Oxted delightful
Sun, 13-Dec-20 Sunday Walk: Woldingham to Oxted 7 rainy misty but mild
Wed, 01-Jan-20 a New Year's Day Walk South - Woldingam to Oxted 25 dry and mild misty at times
Sat, 26-Oct-19 Saturday Walk Woldingham to Oxted 9
Sun, 13-Jan-19 Sunday Walk: Woldingham to Oxted 15
Thu, 28-Dec-17 Thursday Walk: Woldingham to Oxted - A North Downs Breezer 18 sunny
Sun, 29-Jan-17 The North Downs near London
Mon, 28-Dec-15 Bank holiday Monday walk - A quick ramble over the North Downs 17 low winter sunshine
Wed, 16-Dec-15 Midweek day walk - Woldingham to Oxted
Sun, 13-Sep-15 North Downs and Greensand Way 8 sunny and fine
Wed, 11-Feb-15 Woldingham to Oxted, with short cut and alternative route
Sat, 16-Aug-14 Woldingham to Oxted 7
Sun, 22-Dec-13 a Woldingham to Oxted (short walk, omitting Godstone) 10
Sat, 14-Sep-13 Woldingham to Oxted 4
Tue, 01-Jan-13 Woldingham to Oxted, with short cut and alternative route
Tue, 01-Jan-13 a Woldingham to Oxted (short walk, omitting Godstone)
Sun, 16-Dec-12 a Woldingham to Oxted (short walk, omitting Godstone)
Sun, 22-Jul-12 Woldingham to Oxted
Sat, 07-Jan-12 Woldingham to Oxted, with short cut (morning)
Wed, 16-Nov-11 Woldingham to Oxted, with short cut (morning)
Mon, 30-May-11 Woldingham to Oxted
Sat, 18-Dec-10 a Woldingham to Oxted (short walk, omitting Godstone)
Sat, 30-Oct-10 Woldingham to Oxted
Sat, 19-Dec-09 a Woldingham to Oxted (short walk, omitting Godstone)
Sun, 23-Aug-09 Woldingham to Oxted
Sat, 03-Jan-09 Woldingham to Oxted
Wed, 16-Apr-08 Woldingham to Oxted
Tue, 01-Jan-08 a Woldingham to Oxted (short walk, omitting Godstone)
Sat, 27-Jan-07 Woldingham to Oxted
Wed, 06-Dec-06 Woldingham to Oxted
PeteG
PeteG


T=swc.2
Length: 16¾ km (10.4 miles). Toughness 5/10.
There is a shorter version missing out Godstone of 11½ km, 7.1 m. Toughness: 3/10

"The walk is only just outside the London boundary and yet the first part with a steady climb up the side of the valley into Marden Park Woods feels completely rural. In these woods the route joins the North Downs Way and heads west on an undulating stretch, still mostly through woodland. This section ends at a fine viewpoint on Gravelly Hill, a potential picnic spot.

The walk then descends from the North Downs ridge into the attractive village of Godstone, which features a large green and a good choice of places for lunch. The afternoon route mostly follows the Greensand Way, heading east from to Oxted. This section is quite different in character: a more open landscape dotted with small settlements, including one with a magnificent ancient tree in its churchyard, the Tandridge Yew."

Trains: Get the 0950 East Grinstead train from Victoria, Clapham 0957, East Croydon 1010 arriving Woldingham at 1026 . Return trains are: xx23 & xx53 to Victoria & xx20 to London Bridge. All trains go through East Croydon. Get a return to Oxted.

Lunch: Godstone, 9½ km along the main route. The Hare & Hounds (01883-742296) serves typical pub food; the more up-market alternatives are the White Hart (01883-742521) and the Bell Inn (01883-743216). Light lunches are available at the Green Rooms of Godstone

Tea: Various options in Oxted, including a Wetherspoons pub by the station.
  • Sat, 21-Sep-24

    5 off the train, but joined by a late comer to make 6 on this enjoyable walk. Two ate at the Hare & Hounds, joined by the others for a drink. We stayed together for the rest of the walk, splitting at the station. Great weather and views throughout.

Sat, 04-Nov-23 : WOLDINGHAM TO OXTED 6
branchline
branchline

A Surrey walk, not far out of London. First a stretch through Marden Park and Marden Park Woods, then the North Downs Way to a fine viewpoint on Gravelly Hill.

After lunch in the attractive village of Godstone, you largely follow the Greensand Way to Oxted. This is a more open landscape dotted with small settlements, one of which is Tandridge, famous for its ancient yew.

Length : 16.8km (10.4 miles) or 11.5km (7 miles)

Level : 5 out of 10 (3 out of 10 for short version)

Trains: Take the 9.50 train from London Victoria to East Grinstead; Clapham J: 9.56; E Croydon:10.09 arrives Woldingham 10.26.

Train s back from Oxted are: xx.20 to London Bridge xx23 to Victoria xx.53 (Victoria)

Ticket : Buy a day return to Oxted.

T=swc.2

For walk directions, GPS, map etc click here, https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/walk/woldingham-to-oxted/

Lunch is in Godstone which has three pubs around the village green and a cafe

The Hare & Hounds (01883-742296) serves typical pub food;

White Hart (01883-742521) more upmarket and so is

The Bell Inn (01883-743216).

Light lunches are also available at Blossoms Brunch & Coffee (01883-818330) opposite the Hare & Hounds,

Plenty of tea options in Oxted

There is a short walk (7 miles) missing out Godstone (and so lunch) if you want to be home early.

  • Sun, 05-Nov-23

    6 people enjoyed this scenic walk with plenty of autumn leaves on the ground and more colours starting to come through on the trees. Despite the uncertain weather forecast, we had a dry day, apart from a lunctime shower when we were conveniently in the pub, sun in the morning a shower at lunchtime then dry . A nice day out.

Extra Walk 2a – Woldingham to Oxted (short walk)

Length: 11½ km (7.1 miles). Toughness: 3/10

10:53 East Grinstead train from London Bridge (Norwood Jct 11:06, East Croydon 11:10), arriving Woldingham at 11:25. Buy a return to Oxted. Note that there are no trains from Victoria or Clapham Jct to East Croydon.

Trains back from Oxted are at xx:29 & xx:59.

With ongoing threats of rail strikes and planned engineering works almost everywhere I look, I've been a bit stuck for a novel New Year's Day walk to complement the Wind-in-the-Willows saunter. However, this modest little outing has worked reasonably well in the past: we can have a late start and there are plenty of pubs en route.

Oxted Downs After a long but gentle climb onto Oxted Downs you'll reach a fine viewpoint overlooking…OK, it's the M25 and not the Thames valley, but it's still a good spot to whip out your bottle of fizz and toast the New Year. But don't overindulge, as there's a precipitous descent down the North Downs escarpment on the next leg into Old Oxted. The walk notes actually nominate The Haycutter a bit further on as the suggested lunch pub on this variation, but unless you've booked a place there it might be worth trying to squeeze into one of the three hostelries on the High Street, with walkers tending to favour the Crown Inn.

The afternoon leg is a short loop out to Tandridge with its ancient yew tree, but as Old Oxted is only 1 km from the main town you could choose to skip this potentially muddy finale and head straight into Oxted from the lunch pub. There are several cafés and coffee shops near the station as well as a conveniently placed JD Wetherspoon's pub, the Oxted Inn.

You'll need to bring the directions from the L=swc.2.a – clicking 'Short' on the Walk Options heading line will cut out the 4 or 5 sheets of paper containing the main walk directions via Godstone.

  • Sun, 01-Jan-23

    19 on a warm cloudy and dry day. The shortest route was suggested and that’s what we took. though, in the afternoon, some may have strayed as far as Tandridge. I don’t like to use the L-word, as you know, but, in the morning, there was a little confusion about the official designated spot to drink prosecco (a sort of cider made from grapes). This resulted in there being two separate stops, with some people maybe having more than the prescribed dosage,

    This did not put us in best condition to tackle the precipitous slippery descent from the Surrey Alps into Old Oxted. Miraculously, we all survived to reach base camp in the George. Here, sustenance was a long time coming but did eventually arrive. To help pass the time, more alcohol was consumed. A merry band then proceeded to Oxted where some went for tea in the old cinema and others just went home,

Length: 16.8km (10.4 miles) or 11.5km (7 miles)
9.54 train from London Bridge (10.10 East Croydon) to Woldingham, arriving 10.26. T=swc.2
Buy a day return to Oxted.
For walk directions click here, for GPX click here, for a map of the route click here.
Some people have social lives. I have heard of such people. They might like a walk that is not too long and has trains back to London Bridge. Conveniently, trains to Woldingham seem to leave from London Bridge today....
I say the above to explain (or not) why I have not posted a 15 miler for this, the last day before the start of the Great Darkness (aka the clocks going back, which they do THIS EVENING!!!!!). But I think this will answer pretty well as an autumn walk, with a fair stretch along the wooded ridge of the North Downs in the morning, and woods and fields territory in the afternoon. (And by the way, if you did the Oxted Circular walk last Saturday this walk has no overlap with it whatsoever. Quite different. They could be on separate continents...)
Lunch is in Godstone which has three pubs and a cafe (see the home page for this walk for a discussion of their respective merits). If Oxted had any more tea options, they would have to rename it Teaside.
There is a short walk (7 miles) missing out Godstone (and so lunch) if you want to be home early to prepare for your social life.
Trains back from Oxted are at 20, 23 and 53 past and they all go to London Bridge today, taking 40 minutes.
  • Sat, 29-Oct-22

    20 on this walk, on a day of sunshine and sticky subtropical heat . Really it was ridiculously warm for late October. Autumn is the new summer!

    What to say about this walk? It made a lovely summer outing, albeit that there were some unseasonal tinted leaves. In places there was some - ahem - “creativity” about the walk route (we don’t use the L word) but mostly we found our way.

    In Godstone four went posh by lunching at the Bell Inn. Many of the rest of us ate at outside tables at the Hare & Hounds whose simple pub fare was actually very tasty. Many and varied were the topics of our conversation.

    In the afternoon we paid our respects to the amazing Tandridge Oak, still producing berries after 2000 years. We eschewed long cuts, to take the direct route into Oxted. Some went straight to the train, muttering about evening events they had to get ready for, three squished into the Papillon tea room in the brief interval before it closed, and six went to the Wetherspoon’s by the station where tea was £1-something for limitless hot water and the chocolate puddings were really scrummy. Then we got a train home.

  • Sun, 30-Oct-22

    A warm day indeed but does anyone remember October 2011 when the temperature in parts of kent reached 30C. I was doing a solo walk in the Chilterns and stopped to rest in a wood after a climb with the temperature around 27 degrees. The autumn leaves were glowing golden under the harsh sun and I remember thinking this is so, so wrong.

Mr M Tiger
Mr M Tiger

Short walk: 11½ km (7.1 miles), difficulty 3/10 Main walk: 16¾ km (10.4 miles), difficulty 5/10

A Surrey walk, not far out of London. The main 10.4 ml walk, option M, might be a bit long for the available daylight, so the shorter walk, option a, is recommended. But the choice is yours. Both variants visit Tandridge, famous for its ancient yew.
Trains
Get the 9:51 East Grinstead train from Victoria (Clapham Junction 9:58, East Croydon 10:09) arriving Woldingham at 10:25.
Return from Oxted at xx:29 and xx:59.
Get a return to Oxted.
Lunch
The recommended pub for the short walk is The Haycutter (01883-776955) in Broadham Green. Another option is the Barley Mow (01883-713770) in Tandridge, a short detour away. There are more pubs in Old Oxted.
If you do opt for the main walk, Godstone has several pubs and two tea rooms The pubs are the White Hart (01883-742521), the Hare & Hounds (01883-742296), and the more up-market Bell Inn (01883-741877).
The Green Rooms of Godstone (01883-740407) and the Old Forge Deli Café (01883-743230) serve light lunches.
Tea
The Oxted Inn (01883-723440), a Wetherspoon's, is right next to the station.
There are several cafés in central Oxted. Robertson's in Station Road West (01883-712777) is open to 4pm. On the other side of the station, in Station Road East, you will find Caffè Nero at 139 (01883-730220) open to 5pm, and Costa Coffee at 62 (01883-723149) open to 5.30.
Walk Directions: here. Note that the short option misses out Godstone.

For the short option click on a.

For the main option, click on M,

or for the whole document, don't click on nothing. T=swc.2

  • Sat, 13-Nov-21

    Sounds like a nice short Sunday walk👍

  • Mon, 15-Nov-21

    6 at the station 3 for the advertised short walk 3 for the longer walk. Highly recommended for attractive scenery and views. Haycutters pub was well appointed with Sunday roasts and service the fastest since records began! Bit slippery in the hills and worth more than 3 out of 10. Rain started approaching Oxted. Tea at Wetherspoons and an early 4.29 train.

  • Mon, 15-Nov-21

    6

    Information gathered from surveillance photographs and my extensive network of spies suggests weather was Mostly cloudy rain near end

  • Mon, 15-Nov-21

    3 who opted for the long walk met 1 more (who arrived on a slightly later train) in Godstone. So 7 in total.

PeteG
PeteG
Woldingham to Oxted
T=swc.2
Length: 16¾ km (10.4 miles). Toughness 5/10.
There is a shorter version missing out Godstone of 11½ km, 7.1 m. Toughness: 3/10

The train problems two weeks ago put paid to doing this walk, so here it is again.
"The walk is only just outside the London boundary and yet the first part with a steady climb up the side of the valley into Marden Park Woods feels completely rural. In these woods the route joins the North Downs Way and heads west on an undulating stretch, still mostly through woodland. This section ends at a fine viewpoint on Gravelly Hill, a potential picnic spot.

The walk then descends from the North Downs ridge into the attractive village of Godstone, which features a large green and a good choice of places for lunch. The afternoon route mostly follows the Greensand Way, heading east from to Oxted. This section is quite different in character: a more open landscape dotted with small settlements, including one with a magnificent ancient tree in its churchyard, the Tandridge Yew."

Trains: Get the 0950 East Grinstead train from Victoria, Clapham 0957, East Croydon 1010 arriving Woldingham at 1026 . Return trains are: xx23 & xx53 to Victoria & xx20 to London Bridge. Get a return to Oxted.

Lunch: Godstone, 9½ km along the main route. The Hare & Hounds (01883-742296) serves typical pub food; the more up-market alternatives are the White Hart (01883-742521) and the Bell Inn (01883-743216). Light lunches are available at the Green Rooms of Godstone

Tea: Various options in Oxted, including a Wetherspoons pub by the station.

  • Sat, 25-Sep-21

    14 on this walk - 13 at the start and another who got the train half an hour later and caught up with us near the end. There were also another seven non-SWC walkers who had apparently seen the posting on our website and decided to do the walk independently, but I don’t think that really counts, since they didn’t interact with us.

    The weather was misty to start - even up on the downs ridge. After that cloudy . The sun did come out at 3.30pm but by then all but your correspondent were in headlong rush for the next train mode.

    We had a nice walk through the North Downs woods, admiring from time to time the inconspicuous way the 1980s road planners threaded the M25 through the landscape below. We came down to Godstone, where the unpretentious Hare and Hounds were not busy, and served nice food. Six ate there and others had drinks.

    Did some finish in Godstone by taking a bus? Whatever, there were fewer of us afterwards. We ploughed on past the Barley Mow (revamped) and after some hemming and hawing took the slightly longer route via the Tandridge Yew. A zillion years old and still producing berries. Gilbert Scott (who? - Ed) is buried in the churchyard and possibly other famous people: but since we could not remember who or where, we could not find their graves.

    At Old Oxted, as the sun came out, I lobbied in vain for a stop in a pleasant pub garden. Instead we went on by the old mill, where I was arrested by the sight of several dragonflies and an unusual damselfly that I think was an Emerald. Due to this I lost the rest of the group.

    Oxted proper, when I got to it, seemed in a miserable state of torpor. All the shops and cafes either were shut or looked it. I went to the Costa and had an interminable wait for a takeaway tea while the barista made some sort of frozen yoghurt triple latte mocha cream whip concoction for another customer. Just before going in, I was informed the others were in the Weatherspoons by the station, but when I got back to it they were not there, so I guess the 4.23 train swallowed them up. I took my tea to the park and sat in the sun to write this, trying to ignore the noisy funfare in its opposite corner.

  • Anonymous
    Sat, 25-Sep-21

    Gilbert Scott:Harrow School library, St Pancras Railway Hotel, Brighton College. And many more, including multiple workhouses.

  • Sat, 25-Sep-21

    I don't wish to prolong this thread unduly, but to be accurate [Sir George] Gilbert Scott is buried in Westminster Abbey. As stated in the Walk Notes, the marble tomb-monument in Tandridge churchyard (which we had a quick look at) is in memory of his wife, Lady Scott.

    Annoying that both the coffee shops in Station Road West were closed. One walker reportedly pressed on to look for a fabled community orchard in the next town, others had a quick drink in the conveniently-placed Wetherspoons. I had a brief chat there with three of the independent walkers, who were all very complimentary about our website and walks. I think most went for the 4.20 non-stop to Croydon, spurning the attractions of the park fairground.

PeteG
PeteG
Woldingham to Oxted
T=swc.2
Length: 16¾ km (10.4 miles). Toughness 5/10.
There is a shorter version missing out Godstone of 11½ km, 7.1 m. Toughness: 3/10

"This walk is only just outside the London boundary and yet the first part with a steady climb up the side of the valley into Marden Park Woods feels completely rural. In these woods the route joins the North Downs Way and heads west on an undulating stretch, still mostly through woodland. This section ends at a fine viewpoint on Gravelly Hill, a potential picnic spot.

The walk then descends from the North Downs ridge into the attractive village of Godstone, which features a large green and a good choice of places for lunch. The afternoon route mostly follows the Greensand Way, heading east from to Oxted. This section is quite different in character: a more open landscape dotted with small settlements, including one with a magnificent ancient tree in its churchyard, the Tandridge Yew."

Trains: Get the 0950 East Grinstead train from Victoria, Clapham 0957, East Croydon 1010 arriving Woldingham at 1026 . Return trains are: xx23 & xx53 to Victoria & xx20 to London Bridge. They all stop at East Croydon, the xx20 being faster. Get a return to Oxted.

Lunch: Godstone, 9½ km along the main route. The Hare & Hounds (01883-742296) serves typical pub food; the more up-market alternatives are the White Hart (01883-742521) and the Bell Inn (01883-743216). Light lunches are available at the Green Rooms of Godstone

Tea: Various options in Oxted, including a Wetherspoons pub by the station.
  • Sat, 11-Sep-21

    I assume 0 given the train problems. I ended up doing Wivelsfield to Haywards Heath after contemplating what trains were leaving from East Croydon. delightful .

Mr M Tiger
Mr M Tiger
A Surrey walk, not far out of London. First a stretch through Marden Park and Marden Park Woods, then the North Downs Way to a fine viewpoint on Gravelly Hill.
After lunch in the attractive village of Godstone, you largely follow the Greensand Way to Oxted. This is a more open landscape dotted with small settlements, one of which is Tandridge, famous for its ancient yew.
Trains
Get the 9:51 East Grinstead train from Victoria (Clapham Junction 9:57, East Croydon 10:09) arriving Woldingham at 10:25.
Return from Oxted at xx:29 and xx:59
Get a return to Oxted.
Elevenses
You pass Godstone Vineyards (01883-744590) on the main route. A detour to their cafeteria would provide mid-morning refreshments, although this is not compulsory.
Lunch : Godstone has three pubs and two tearooms around its large village green.
The pubs are the White Hart (01883-742521), the Hare & Hounds (01883-742296), and the more up-market Bell Inn (01883-741877).
You may find The Green Rooms of Godstone (01883-740407) or the Old Forge Deli Café (01883-743230) open for light lunches. Then again, you may not. The short walk doesnt visit Godstone
There are several more pubs before you reach Oxted, perhaps more suited to the short walk, which doesn't visit Godstone. Three can be found in Old Oxted but the recommended pub for the short walk is The Haycutter (01883-776955) in Broadham Green. In these Covid times, access to pubs and eateries is not assured. Bring a snack just in case
Tea
The Oxted Inn (01883-723440), a Wetherspoon's, is right next to the station.
On the other side of the station, in Station Road East, you will find Caffè Nero at 139 (01883-730220) open to 5pm, and Costa Coffee at 62 (01883-723149) open to 5.30.
Walk Directions: here. Note that the short option misses out Godstone .
Do please follow Covid rules as itemised above. Please form and stay in seperate groups of six (or less). Please share contact details for tracing. Please respect Social Distancing.
t=swc.2

  • Sun, 13-Dec-20

    A convenient 6 set off from the station on a rainy misty but mild day. Quite a muddy walk and at times treacherously slippy. The group soon split into two and the younger ones scampered off ahead, despite the quagmire. Yours truly had intended to do the shorter walk but didn't read the directions properly and ended up doing the whole thing. :(

    The route through Marsden Wood was a bit tricky thanks to logging activities obscuring paths. Luckily. I had brought my PA, who is a dab hand with a GPS, along. In the woods we were overtaken by a late starter so 7 Later we were slowed down by having to kick a ball for a dog for about half a mile. Drop, kick, catch, drop, kick, catch. And so on. I wouldn't care, but it wasn't our dog.

    Can't say what the pubs were like. didn't go in any myself. Got to Oxted by 3:30, which was a bit of a surprise. (I was resigned to darkness).

Daisy Roots
Daisy Roots
Extra Walk 2a - Woldingham to Oxted, omitting Godstone

Length: 11½ km, 7.1 m. Toughness: 3/10.

Train: 10:21 from Victoria (Clapham Junction 10:28, East Croydon 10.40) arrives Woldingham 10.56. Return trains from Oxted to London Victoria are at xx:00 and xx:29. Buy a return to Oxted.

I thought this short and scenic walk with a late start and several refreshment options might appeal on New Year's Day. The walk goes through the Local Nature Reserve of Great Church Wood and follows the North Downs Way to the top of Oxted Downs. Here, a bench overlooking a fine view of the Greensand Hills might make a convenient spot to toast the New Year before the descent to Old Oxted. In the afternoon, you pass St Peter's church and the magnificent Tandridge Yew.

There are several pub options for lunch and I'd suggest deciding which/calling them before heading off from the station. They'll be busy today so a large group would need to split between pubs. The walk passes through the village of Old Oxted and returns there later after looping through Broadham Green and Tandridge (which also have pubs). There are 3 pubs close together on Old Oxted's High Street: The Old Bell (Chef and Brewer, 01883-712181), The George Inn (01883-713453) and The Crown Inn (01883-717853). About 15 minutes further on in Broadham Green is The Haycutter (01883-776955). A further option (requiring a short detour) is The Barley Mow (01883-713770) in Tandridge.

At the end of the walk in Oxted are several cafés and coffee shops. On Station Road West, Robertsons at #42 (01883-712777) and Café Papillon at #54 (01883-717031) may be open but if not then JD Wetherspoon's Oxted Inn (01883-723440) next to the station will be. On Station Road East, Little Waitrose Cafe is open as are Caffè Nero at #139 (01883-730220) and Costa Coffee at #62 (01883-723149). Coughlans Bakery at #76 (01883-716972) may also be open.

You'll need to bring the walk directions (with maps) from the Woldingham to Oxted walk page. Click on option a to only print the relevant directions.
T=swc.2.a
  • Anonymous
    Wed, 01-Jan-20

    A large group assembled on the platform at Woldingham station. I didn't count but I'd estimate 25. The weather was dry and mild misty at times . Thanks to those who brought Champagne, crisps, cake and chocolate, we toasted the New Year at a conveniently located bench on a hilltop mid morning.

    The group split between pubs at Old Oxted. The Crown was not too busy and accommodated several of us, though service was slow today. After a post lunch loop around Tandridge, we returned to Oxted where some of us went for refreshments in the Old Oxted Inn before hopping on the train home.

    An enjoyable start to the New Year.

PeteG
PeteG
Woldingham to Oxted
T=swc.2
Length: 16¾ km (10.4 miles). Toughness 5/10.

"This walk is only just outside the London boundary and yet the first part with a steady climb up the side of the valley into Marden Park Woods feels completely rural. In these woods the route joins the North Downs Way and heads west on an undulating stretch, still mostly through woodland. This section ends at a fine viewpoint on Gravelly Hill, a potential picnic spot.

The walk then descends from the North Downs ridge into the attractive village of Godstone, which features a large green and a good choice of places for lunch. The afternoon route mostly follows the Greensand Way, heading east from to Oxted. This section is quite different in character: a more open landscape dotted with small settlements, including one with a magnificent ancient tree in its churchyard, the Tandridge Yew."

Trains: Get the 0950 East Grinstead train from Victoria, Clapham 0957, East Croydon 1010 arriving Woldingham at 1026. Return trains are: xx23 & xx53 to Victoria & xx20 to London Bridge.

Lunch: Godstone , 9½ km along the main route. The Hare & Hounds (01883-742296) serves typical pub food; the more up-market alternatives are the White Hart (01883-742521) and the Bell Inn (01883-743216). Light lunches are available at the Green Rooms of Godstone

Tea: Various options in Oxted, including a pub by the station.
  • Anonymous
    Fri, 25-Oct-19

    If the weather is bad, you could do the shorter version of this walk, Oxted Circular. Alternatively, it's about 45 mins walk from the lunch stop in Godstone. If the weather turns bad, you could walk to Godstone station. You'd need a map for that however as directions are not included in the walk instructions. It looks like there is also a bus between Godstone and Godstone Rail but you'd need to check details yourself on traveline.info

  • Anonymous
    Fri, 25-Oct-19

    I meant to say 45 minutes walk from the lunch stop in Godstone to Godstone train station.

  • Fri, 25-Oct-19

    If you want to abandon the walk at lunchtime I wouldn't recommend the 4 km road walk to Godstone station. There are details of three bus routes through Godstone Green and links to timetables in the walk document.

    NB. The shorter version of this walk doesn't go through Godstone Green (and isn't an Oxted Circular).

  • Anonymous
    Sat, 26-Oct-19

    Buses leave Godstone Green to OxtedEnter at 49 mins past the hour

  • Sat, 26-Oct-19

    With the weather forecast for this afternoon being v wet I expect to do the 5 mile short route to Oxted and have lunch there.

  • Sat, 26-Oct-19

    2 of us lightweights did the 5 mile short route direct to Oxted with lunch at The Bell Old Oxted and then tea in Oxted and a train arriving back in London Bridge at 14.30

    We avoided any rain as I suspect did the Godstone group so I will leave them to write up a proper report

  • Sun, 27-Oct-19

    9 off the train & car. 2 took a short cut. Dry morning with light rain all afternoon. 5 in the hare & hounds, 2 picnicers. The 5 resisted the temptation to get a bus & had a muddy variation to Oxted.

Sun, 13-Jan-19 : Sunday Walk: Woldingham to Oxted 15
Mr M Tiger
Mr M Tiger
Main Walk: 16¾ km (10.4 miles). Toughness 5/10.
Short Walk, omitting Godstone: 11½ km (7.1 miles). Toughness 3/10.
Though just outside the London boundary, the first part of this walk through Marden Park and Marden Park Woods feels completely rural, following the North Downs Way west on an undulating, mostly wooded stretch.
The full walk takes you into the attractive village of Godstone, with a good choice of places for lunch. The afternoon largely follows the Greensand Way east to Oxted, through a more open landscape dotted with small settlements, including Tandridge whose churchyard is home to a magnificent old yew tree.
Trains Get the 9:53 Oxted train from London Bridge (East Croydon 10:09) arriving Woldingham 10:25. Get a return to Oxted.
Return trains at xx:29 and xx:59.
Lunch
Main walk: Godstone has three pubs and two tearooms around its large village green. The Hare & Hounds (01883-742296), the White Hart (01883-742521), and the more up-market Bell Inn (01883-741877).
Also the Green Rooms of Godstone (01883-740407), and the Old Forge Deli Café (01883-743230).
Short walk: The suggested lunch place is The Haycutter (01883-776955) in Broadham Green. Before that, there are three pubs in Old Oxted High Street : the Old Bell (01883-712181), the George Inn (01883-713453) and the Crown Inn (01883-717853). Later, a short detour would take you to the Barley Mow (01883-713770) in Tandridge.
Tea
Two possible tea places in Station Road West: Robertsons at #42 (01883-712777; open daily to 5pm) and the Oxted Inn, a Wetherspoon's, right next to the station (01883-723440).
On the other side of the station, Station Road East, you'll find Caffè Nero at #139 (01883-730220; open to 5pm), and Costa Coffee at #62 (01883-723149; open to 5.30pm).
Directions here
t=swc.2
  • Sun, 13-Jan-19

    14 assembled on the platform but we picked up the walk inspector late on in the pre-lunch section who had caught a later train and done a short cut and was waiting for us at a panoramic viewing point so we'll count him as well making a total of 15. Two dropped out early on to do their own thing. Weather w= mild-and-cloudy. The ground was dry with little mud so we made good time along the undulating woodland trails. Four ate in the Hare and Hounds and the "sandwichers" met up with them fora drink before setting off on the afternoon leg.

    Just before lunch a small hawk (about the size of a wood pigeon) was spotted in a tree mewling piteously as it appeared to have lost its handler. The bell on its leg could be heard when it fluttered away. I resisted pleas from the group to attach a piece of sandwich meat to my arm to lure it down but lets hope it found its way back home. Also a lost hat was reunited with its owner by 2 assiduous back-markers.

    Most caught the 3.29pm train back to London whilst I and 2 others had a coffee at Costas and caught the 3.59. A superb day out with much witty chat and banter - obviously not from me - on a walk which deserves a spring or autumn outing to see it at its best.

    Best wishes to the walker who is tackling a challenging mountain trek in Ethiopia to raise money for children in need. Finally a special mention in dispatches to the venerable and venerated SWC stalwart who using written walk instructions of vintage provenance drawn from the bowels of his unique bespoke filing system managed to take a wrong turning after lunch and ended up doing a huge extra circular section to complete a walk of around 13 miles and still just missing the 3.29pm train. A fine adventure in the very best traditions of the Saturday Walers Club (Sunday section.)

Woldingham to Oxted (SWC walk 2)
Length: 16.8km (10.4 miles)
Toughness: 5 out of 10

9.53 train from Victoria (9.59 Clapham Junction, 10.10 East Croydon) to Woldingham, arriving 10.26

Buy a day return to Oxted. You can't use your Network Card, as the train is before 10.00, but as the fare is only £10.90 and this is a weekday when there is a £13 minimum on Network Card discounts, it makes no difference anyway

For walk directions click here. For GPX click here.

This fine romp along the ridge of the North Downs, then descending to the valley to walk along to Oxted, made a convivial post-Christmas outing two or three years ago. There is a bit of M25 noise en route but you will be too busy telling everyone about your Christmas presents to notice that....

The lunchtime village, Godstone, has three pubs and a tea room, so we won't starve. Oxted has two tea rooms, a Caffe Nero open to 6pm and a modern pub conveniently sited right by the station (didn't you have enough booze at Christmas??), so you won't die of thirst either.

Trains back are at 19 past to London Bridge (slightly quicker) and 24 and 54 past to Victoria, though mysteriously no 24 and 54 train is shown on the National Rail Enquires site for 18.24 and 18.54. There are trains 17.24, 17.54, 19.24 and 19.54 so I am assuming the lack of 18 past ones is a typo. T=3.2
  • Thu, 28-Dec-17

    It is a bizarre fact, but 28 December is often a sunny day. It was so in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, and it was so in 2017. A glorious day in fact - cloudless, windless, a deep blue sky, frozen ground with just a few flecks of snow in places meaning there was much less mud than there might have been. What a joy it was to be out.

    18 took advantage of all this, 2 of them late starters who we only met at tea. The rest of us enjoyed a lovely ridge walk in the morning, with sun-drenched views, though it has to be admittedly plentiful motorway noise too.

    We had been helpfully informed at the start that all three pubs in Godstone were deficient. One certainly was - the Beafeater chain pub has closed and shows signs of being redeveloped into housing. We had been told that the Hare & Hounds was slow but some ate there, I understand, and had no complaints. Six of us went instead to the upmarket Bell Inn. It was fully booked but we squeezed into the bar. The food was OK, I guess.

    The afternoon with its low lying country is a nice contrast to the afternoon. We six Bellers had coffee in the Barley Mow and got to Oxted in time to join a few other walkers in spreading more mud onto the floor of the Papillon Cafe, whose staff were just sweeping up the last lot. We all got the 16.54 train, but one (me) got off at Woldingham for a lovely hour long moonlight walk. Stargazer, you were missed.

  • Anonymous
    Thu, 28-Dec-17

    I can recommend Coughlans' Bakery as another tea stop. It's on the high street on the other side of the station to Cafe Papillon. It has a nice selection of cakes and mince pies and about 4 or 5 tables at the back for eating in. It was still open and serving just before 17.00.

  • Anonymous
    Thu, 28-Dec-17

    Thank you for your walk report Walker but the real number of walkers was a little over 18, though I am not sure how we quantify someone who joins us for say and hour and a half. You missed the ‘Inspector’ who supposedly had come out to check on the lunch venues but it seems that he only visited the Hare & Hounds where he had several pints and scrounged loads of chips from us 4 diners.

    He then had a short stroll with us before returning to his car outside the Hare & Hounds as he had ‘an important meeting’.

    All the best

    A. Wellwisher

  • Garrie
    Thu, 28-Dec-17

    We noticed that The HayCutter Inn, which is stated as closed in paragraph 13, has now re-opened.

    https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/haycutter/

Sun, 29-Jan-17 : The North Downs near London ?
PeteB
PeteB
Free walk 2 Woldingham to Oxted (Main walk)

Distance 16.75km (10.4m). Toughness 5/10

Trains 09.53 London Victoria (Clapham Junction 09.58, East Croydon 10.09) arrives Woldingham 10.25. Return trains from Oxted are at xx:28 and xx:58 mins past the hour. Buy a day return to Oxted.

(Southern Rail states this service should be unaffected by RMT action so fingers crossed!)

This is a lovely walk with lots of interest and close to London . It combines sections of the North Downs Way and the Greensand Way and the morning section feels particularly rural. Full walk instructions and information about lunch time pub and tea options can be found here

Note: for the directions for the main walk remember to click Main Walk via Godstone 16¾ km option
SWC walk 2 - Woldingham to Oxted
Length: 16.7km (10.4 miles) with shorter options
Toughness: 5 out of 10

9.53 train from Victoria (9.59 Clapham Junction, 10.11 East Croydon) to Woldingham, arriving 10.26

Buy a day return to Oxted.

For walk directions click here.

It looks as if no one else is going to post a walk for today (which is a bank holiday), so here is my suggestion.

This is a bright and breezy walk up over the North Downs. True it has some proximity to the M25 for a while, but it passes through grand scenery, and - perhaps more to the point - has a choice of three pubs for lunch in Godstone, one or more of which will surely be able to squeeze us in.

Tea places in Oxted may be in shorter supply, but the Oxted Inn by the station is a reliable fall-back and I am betting Caffe Nero will be open too.

There are all sorts of shorter options and short cuts for those that wish them.

Trains back from Oxted are at 19 past to London Bridge and 24 and 54 past to Victoria.
  • Thu, 24-Dec-15

    Thank you for post I g.

  • Anonymous
    Fri, 25-Dec-15

    If there is a large group, it's best to split up and try different pubs. Past experience of a large group in a single pub in Godstone at this time of year was very long waits for food for those could get served and some walkers not being able to order.

  • Mon, 28-Dec-15

    17 on this walk, which made a fine outing in the low winter sunshine (such a relief to see something other than grey clouds). Still wierdly warm with some walking in shirtsleeves.

    The new route along the top of the North Downs seemed to reduce the traffic noise from the M25, which in any case never seemed intrusive. We split between the Hare & Hounds and White Hart for lunch, enjoyed the Godstone almshouse chapel and the amazing Tandridge yew (surely the biggest of all the ancient yews we see on these walks), and finished the walk at 4pm. Tea in Caffe Nero (who were very nice about the mud we left on their floor) and then home.

Mike A
Mike A

Woldingham to Oxted (Main Walk with short cuts)

Close to London, this walk combines stretches of both The North Downs Way, and the Greensand Way.

Book 3 Walk 2

Length : 14½ km or 9 miles

Toughness : 4 out of 10

Getting there : Catch the 10:23 am train from London Victoria and alight at Woldingham
Calling stations

  • Clapham Junction: departs 10:29
  • East Croydon: departs 10:41

Meeting point : Woldingham Station at 10:56

Tickets : Buy a cheap day return to Oxted

Brief Description

You may find full details of this walk here and Kindlefolk can download a mobi here

Should the weather turn out to be ghastly, there is an option to do the short version of this walk.

Suggested Lunch stops

There are three pubs and a tearoom in Godstone.
Connoisseurs of fine cuisine may find The Bell the best gastro choice.

Suggested Tea stop

Café Papillon

Those of you who may wish to try something stronger could try ...

The Oxted Inn next to the station

Map

OS Explorer : 146

Return train times

Trains return from Oxted to London Stations at the following times ...

to London Victoria at 15:54 | 16:23 |16:54 |17:24 | 17:53 |18:23

to London Bridge at 16:19 |17:20 |18:18


  • Anonymous
    Tue, 15-Dec-15

    doing this, anyone else?

  • Anonymous
    Tue, 15-Dec-15

    arthur - which one to print out please ?

  • Anonymous
    Tue, 15-Dec-15

    Which anonymous is it this time? jfk Hoping to go

  • Tue, 15-Dec-15

    Print Requester

    I'd suggest clicking the This Link and printing the full monty.

    On the map page the walk option I've posted goes south then down the dotted line before turning east. Curving south and slightly east to Godstone for luncheon.

    On the afternoon leg the walk turns north at Tandridge swinging east to follow the second dotted line into Oxted.

    E&OE

    AD

  • Tue, 15-Dec-15

    If you want to save a few pages then clicking 'Main Walk' generates that route, with the short cuts in §2 and §14 reducing the length by 2½ km. But do head west at the end of §2, not east...

  • Marion
    Tue, 15-Dec-15

    Intend going and would like to lunch at the Bell with their excellent and reasonably priced menu-2 courses for £12.

  • Tue, 15-Dec-15

    Print Requester (correction)

    I'd suggest clicking the This Link and printing what you need.

    On the map page the walk option I've posted goes south then down the dotted line before turning west. Curving south and slightly east to Godstone for luncheon.

    On the afternoon leg the walk turns north at Tandridge swinging east to follow the second dotted line into Oxted.

    E&OE

    AD

  • Anonymous
    Thu, 17-Dec-15

    "MAX" the dog

    If the designated lunchtime pub allows dogs inside then our regular Wednesday canine walker, 'Max', will be taking his place under a table near me. This dog is extremely well-behaved and appears to be well-liked among walkers.

    Any complaints about Max will be logged and duly IGNORED.

    Thank you

    Melanie

  • Anonymous
    Thu, 17-Dec-15

    Quite a pleasant walk but muddy underfoot. jfk

Sun, 13-Sep-15 : North Downs and Greensand Way 8
PeteB
PeteB
Download Walk 2. Woldingham to Oxted
17.2km (10.7m); toughness 5/10.
Trains: London Victoria 09.53 (Clapham Junction 09.58, East Croydon 10.10) arrive Woldingham 10.26. Return trains from Oxted at xx:28. Buy a day return to Oxted.
This walk is just outside London and is therefore ideal for those who want to get back to the “Great Wen” reasonably early. It combines stretches of the North Downs Way and the Greensand Way and has some impressive views .

Click here for more information about the walk and its pub lunch and tea options. Scroll down the page to find full walk instructions plus maps and click option M for the main walk instructions unless you want to do one of the shorter options.
  • Anonymous
    Thu, 10-Sep-15

    Anyone here? Really want to escape the city on sunday :)

  • Archibald
    Sat, 12-Sep-15

    I intend to go.

  • Mon, 14-Sep-15

    8 sunny and fine

    Rail replacement buses from New Cross Gate southwards let 2 of us down so we started 1 hour after the original 6.

    2 others clearly displaying the instructions briskly walked ahead towards the North Downs Way where they disappeared from view so I don't know if they opted for a short option. That's the nature of walking independently as I guess they were: you don't show up in the statistics.

    We were so lucky with the weather despite some gloomy forecasts.The going was fairly firm and mud free, so we stopped for a picnic with a fine view towards Godstone and way beyond. We passed the Pub stop (one of my favs) around 2.30. I hope the others enjoyed their fayre earlier!

    The Greensand Way took us past some great stretches of water and the whole walk was easily navigable and enjoyable if a little gruelling with lots of ups and downs especially just before the end!

    We encountered the others who were just finishing their tea at the cinema cafe on Station Road in order to catch the 4.27 to Victoria, having possibly done a short cut somewhere(?)

    The two who opted for the later train were in need of an Irish coffee - actually latte and Baileys! Great way to finish this diamond of a walk on a fab day out.