Section 4 West Wickham Common to Hamsey Green

 

I've highlighted my section in yellow
About 11 miles in total with station link walking

It was so great to get back out walking. It's been far too long and to be honest I was a bit nervous about this section. It was longer (with added miles for train station links) and also the internet said it was a wooded hilly walk. Well today my birthday present, walking poles from my parents in law, were finally used. Thanks Sharon and John they came in very handy and helped me keep a faster pace, and also the amazing waterproof map pocket from Dean.  Along with my green soled boots and new walking socks from Ross. I felt almost like a caricature of a walker....but out in the woods no one really gives a monkeys and to be honest I barely met anyone anyway.  That's what surprises me most. In one of the most crowded parts of the country I saw nobody  apart from a bird watcher, 3 old ladies who looked hundreds of years old,  and a guy flying his drone. 

Journey into London and over to London Bridge was as fast as possible.  Honestly, the trains  are fabulous from Bicester into London.

Hayes, Kent is end of the slow train line and almost of life.  The station is a full on dump with shuttered shops and a depressing feel but I didn't let that bother me.  Off I started, again finding it a bit of a headache to get back on the trail, especially with the mile extra of  walking involved but soon I was back out in the Bromley playing fields of Coney Hall . I passed my first 'waymarker' and then within minutes was in the ground of West Wickham church.  A little gem with commonwealth graves on the hill.  I love how the environment changes within minutes!

Welcome to the London LOOP!!!

Within 10 mins of Hayes station I was here. 

I  also passed  this rather unloved  Greenwich meridian marker stone.  Only in England would such a crap piece of  'architecture' exist.  It reminded me of a mutant , decrepid  dalek. But the sentiment and history is amazing!

This monument to history, science and geography about sums up England at the moment.  

In need of attention!

I then sat on park bench, got my poles out and got my self ready to climb the hill into Cheyne Woods.  The Ramblers internet guide make out this is a 'steep incline'.  OK , it was up hill but I think I now realise the Ramblers write for the over 70s or are scared of being sued.  It wasn't that bad at all.  But I did  realise that the poles must have helped me scurry up at lightening speed!

Getting ready for the ascent. 

Cheney Woods used to belong to a charity called the Ancient Order of Froth Blowers, where a hospital they funded was built.  In the 20s and 30s this 'order' funded  children's hospitals all over  the East End. All they did was blow beer off each others pints and then put money into saving children's lives. Oh how we lived before the NHS, but hey, humour and philanthropy are great by me. 

Up in these woods I passed from Kent into Croyden.  To be honest I noticed no change!   All just woods to me.  I was surprised by how many birds were singing considering it was London in February.  I heard woodpeckers and saw parrots, yes, parrots.  Even the bird watcher I met said there are lots of parrots in this part of Croyden. 

decent signage at last.  

I then come out onto  the edge of Surrey. A golf course of course. Surrey is mostly golf courses I have heard!  I then veered off back into Croyden and saw this great bit of graffiti.  I've googled the Banksy similar artist and over Covid lockdown  he made money for charities and buying PPE  by graffitiing Rainbow Boy on people's property walls. 

I then got into the Addington Hills and after a steep climb up I was rewarded with a fab view back over to the Shard (London Bridge, where I started)  in  the City of London and Canary Wharf . Made me realise how flat South London is.

Tower to the far left is an old BBC transmitter I think.   Obviously closer than the Shard in the City of London on the left.   Canary Wharf on the right. 

I then crossed the Croyden, south London tram.  First time I have ever seen it.  It's been back up and running since 2000 and I would love more of the UK to be tram based.  Yes, this gave me joy.  I am a fully fledged public transport geek. 

The walking route over the tram line is clearly marked out!

I then ended up in a the grounds of a derelict Georgian House.  The grounds were really beautiful and I sat and ate some lunch on a rotting bench. I've googled the place and Croyden Council own this lovely area now and have just left it to rot as they can't afford to keep it up. They rented it out to a school but that lease has ended now    It is such a shame as it is a real gem and needs to be preserved.  I think as it's up a hill,  Croyden council think they can get away with this negligence as they can then secretly try to sell it off.   I wish I had had more time to investigate the grounds.  It was beautiful there. 

Heathfield House gardens 

After my lunch I then entered Littleheath Woods.  These amazing woods, the lungs of London, are great.  They are well kept, full of wildlife and  obviously a testament to the  local  people who care for them.

The LOOP joins the Vanguard Way.   The Vanguard Way is nothing more than named after the Ramblers who walked this route and then got a lift home in a van. 

Yet another plaque, for yet another local wood. Selsdon Wood this time.

Me in Baker Boy Lane.  A Baker's Boy was murdered down this path and his ghost haunts these parts.  He didn't bother me. 

After more woods and more up hill and down hill climbing and getting to the edge of the Surry Hills I finally got to open spaces.  This walk will be an absolute riot of bluebells, crocuses and primroses in Spring. Goodbye woods.  It was fun!

Hello Selsdon Wood

Good disabled access for a few metres. 

I then hit open farmland, which was beautiful and so peaceful, again such a contrast to the dump like ending of Hamsey Green which hit me in a few more minutes.   This is why I love this walk.  Such contrasts  in such a short length of time.  

Edge of the Surrey Hills 

Minutes from Hamsey Green

Road closed in Hamsey Green.  Section 4 finished. 

LOOP walk  over but I had to get back to central London.  I got a bus to Sanderstead, an area just south of Croyden.  No joke I fell in love with the bridge.  What a rickety old thing. I'm amazed it is still standing.  Unbelievable. Can't wait to return to start section number 5.   What a great day.