SHORT WALKS AND TEAS
MINOR EXCURSIONS WITHIN A FEW MILES OF RIDDLESDOWN
Do you ever wonder where to go for a walk around Riddlesdown - or where to find a
cup of tea?
This page lists a few of the many places to try, all given with hope, but without
any guarantee, of satisfaction.
We need your recommendations to keep this page going.
Please let the RRA know (as per the e-mail address on the Contact page) with any
local places that you would suggest be added (or removed).
WALKS ON SOME OF THE NEARBY CITY OF LONDON COMMONS
RIDDLESDOWN - It takes about one hour for a leisurely walk across Riddlesdown from
the Carpark at the end of Riddlesdown Road to the rear of Hamsey Green, then to Warlingham,
for a drink at one of the pubs. Or alternatively walk past the quarry and down to
Whyteleafe, and/or then walk then cross the A22 (Godstone Rd) and climb up to Kenley
Common/Air Field and then the Wattenden Arms for a drink. Or walk through Mitchley
Woods and other wooded areas nearby to footpath exits to Limpsfield Rd, Holmwood
Ave or Mitchley Hill.
Follow this link to the City Of London website for a map of all the footpaths over
the Riddlesdown Common and also those footpaths close-by Link for Plan
Follow this link for an information leaflet on Riddlesdown Link for Leaflet
COULSDON COMMON - Car Park in Fox Lane - Wooded area. The Fox pub nearby. Link for
Plan and Link for Leaflet
FARTHING DOWNS/HAPPY VALLEY/NEW HILL, DITCHES LANE, COULSDON - Large open and wooded
areas with walks. Link for Map and Link for Leaflet
KENLEY COMMON/AIRFIELD - Plenty of wooded and open areas. Sometimes the gliders are
up from Kenley Aerodrome. The Wattenden Arms nearby. Kenley Common surrounds Kenley
Airfield owned by the MOD and used by the RAF for glider training. The Common holds
seven World War II fighter pens, which together are a Scheduled Monument, however
it is the completeness of the airfield, the history of which is closely bound up
with Kenley Common, that make this a site of national historical significance. Link
for map and Link for Leaflet
SPRING PARK - KENT GATE WAY, ADDINGTON/WEST WICKHAM (A2022) - is a 20 hectare (50
acre) public open space. Located in the London Borough of Bromley it forms part of
a larger area of open countryside within the London green belt that link London with
the wider countryside of Surrey and Kent. Link to Map and Link for Leaflet
WEST WICKHAM COMMON, CROYDON ROAD A232 (CONEY HALL) (Links same as Spring Park: Scroll
down for map)
ASHSTEAD COMMON, SURREY - The Common lies close to junction 9 of the M25. Although
there are no public car parks on the site, there is a car park at Ashtead Railway
Station. There is also Stew Ponds car park off Christchurch Road, Epsom, which can
be used for access to both Ashtead and Epsom Commons. Link for Map and Link for
Leaflet
Follow this link for general information on all of the City Of London Commons website,
for all Commons in London. Link
OTHER NEARBY WALKS
BANSTEAD WOODS - The large field by Banstead Woods on Holly Lane (B2219), adjacent
to Holly Lane car park, Banstead/Chipstead (nearest SATNAV: CR5 3NR). The nearest
Rail Station is Chipstead; Good beech woods and open spaces. Ramblers Rest pub nearby
with teas and coffee available. Banstead Woods (known as Banstead Park Estate) was
a deer park in the medieval period sheltering the royal deer (enclosed in 1439).
In 1598 Banstead Park was stated to contain about 160 acres. It belonged to the Spencer
family in 1841 when the name changed to Banstead Wood. Reigate & Banstead Council
website Link
CROHAM HURST, S CROYDON - Hilly, wooded and open area. Link to LB of Croydon website
HAYES COMMON, Croydon Rd, Hayes - Link to LB of Bromley website
KINGS WOOD (Sanderstead between Limpsfield Rd and Kingswood Lane) - Pleasant woods
with grid of paths. Bluebells in April/May. Link to LB of Croydon website
LIMPSFIELD COMMON AND HAREWOODS near Oxted - Large wooded area. Other good areas
nearby on escarpment. Link to National Trust website
LLOYD PARK, COOMBE ROAD, CROYDON - Just south east of Croydon town centre, an extensive
area of parkland. Link to LB Of Croydon website
SELSDON WOOD, OLD FARLEIGH RD - Woods and open areas, bird sanctuary. Link to LB
Croydon website
TOYS HILL AND OUTRIDGE, South east of Westerham Kent - Wooded National Trust area.
Fox and Hounds nearby. Link to National Trust website
WOLDINGHAM - Many walks around, particularly in the area above the M25. Link to Surrey
CC website
PLACES FOR TEA
CHARTWELL - Winston Churchill's house with National Trust restaurant
EMMETTS - National Trust Garden (good bluebells) with Restaurant
FANNY'S FARMSHOP/TEASHOP - Markedge Lane, Chipstead RH1 3AW. Garden, plants, teas,
groceries
GODSTONE - (Knights Ivy Mill Garden Centre), Bletchingly Rd, Godstone RH9 8NB
BLETCHINGLEY - Priory Garden Centre and Farm Shop, Sandy Lane, S Nutfield, Redhill
RH1 4EJ
KNOCKHOLT - Coolings Garden Centres and Nature Trail, Rushmore Hill, Knockholt TN14
7NN
CHELSHAM - Knights Garden Centre, Limpsfield RD, Chelsham CR6 9DZ
WOLDINGHAM- Knights Garden Centre, Woldingham Rd, Woldingham CR3 7LA
WESTERHAM - Teashops in the High Street and on the Green. Plenty of walks around.
SEVENOAKS - Polhill Garden Centre, London Rd, Badgers Mount, TN14 7AD
For further ideas for walks, days out, attractions, villages etc at the
Surrey Hills website
The National Trust in Surrey
The National Trust North Kent
The National Trust Sussex
