Woldingham and Chelsham

Robert Wright

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Woods, valleys, rolling countryside and great views from the North Downs characterise this wonderful walk. We start and end at Woldingham Railway Station with its fast and comfortable trains from London. The terrain is generally moderate with one short, steep climb. The route includes parts of three established paths – Woldingham Countryside, North Downs Way and Vanguard Way.

Each of the established paths on this walk lends a different character to the route. The Woldingham Countryside Walk leads away from the railway and ascends gently through woodland on good, dry tracks. The North Downs Way skirts the escarpment, offering fine views below. The Vanguard Way passes through rolling countryside with surprising hidden valleys towards the village of Chelsham and returns to the start alongside a magnificent golf course.

Kids will love the variety of animals: horses in training, game birds in autumn and farm animals in the pastures. There's a fine pub offering local ales and good food, and a garden. It is hard to believe such a lovely walk is so close to London and so easy to reach.

England - South England - Surrey - North Downs

Features

Church, Good for Kids, Great Views, National Trust, Pub, Public Transport

4/17/2016 - John Raymond

Lovely walk. Our only problem was after waypoint 8, where the instructions say to cross a stile and turn left, ignoring the Vanguard Way. There were people shouting from the stables down on the left that we were off the footpath, in one of their horse fields and would not be able to get out at the end of the field (where the instructions mention a beam gate). So we had to go back and carry on up the Vanguard Way after all. There is a short steep section, and then after a stile you go along the right-hand edge of another field until you reach a house by the road. Just before the house follow the footpath sign to the left across the field, skirting past another footpath sign to the right of a fenced-off hollow, then into the woods over another stile ahead. Follow this path, keeping to the right, and you reach the road. Turn right, before turning first left into Ledgers Road as in the instructions.

2/7/2016 - Meera Lawrence

Thank you for posting this walk! I grew up in Sevenoaks & Sundridge and have lived in Carshalton since 2007. I can't believe what beautiful countryside can be reached on foot. I always wondered how to get near that quarry too! Very squelchy. Glad I had my proper boots. Probably trainers fine in the Summer. I'll be back!!!

5/27/2015 - Robert Bradley

My wife and I completed this walk yesterday. As Purley locals we were delighted to find such a stunning walk so close to home. The two steep inclines definitely warrant this walk being classified as Moderate. We have 3 children of 8 and under and were very glad they were doing other activities! While we found the inclines quite punishing the views generated are so worth while. A few points to consider before you plan to do this walk yourself. The pub, while an excellent one, did not open until 13.30 on Tuesday 26th May 2015 and was not prepared to serve food at that time. The pub stop also does not occur until around the 3 quarters mark. Please plan your walk around these considerations in terms of when you set off. Can I also add my voice to waypoint 16 and the white lodge. This completely flummoxed us too due to the sign stating no public right of way, no admittance under any circumstances. The CCTV then really adds that final bit of 'don't go here'! After checking GPS maps we realised you had to go up here for the station. Despite the signs walk on up, the station is literally 30 seconds away from this lodge. A fine walk and as novice walkers one we felt a good sense of achievement about afterwards.

4/27/2014 - Andrew Hook

We did this walk yesterday and though it was really good. A couple of challenging inclines and a real good mix of open fields, woodland and farm land. Not suitable for young children but great to see a great variety of wild and farm life. Very enjoyable, my only concern is that the GPS recorded 11.8 miles (19 km) for this 9.6 mile walk? Pretty convinced we followed directions accurately. Any thoughts?

1/15/2012 - Alastair Hooley

Just completed this walk today (14/01/12) in spectacular sunshine. A fantastic walk with a couple of steep bits so appropriate to see this walk has now been changed to 'moderate'. The road after Waypoint 5 is pretty dangerous so be careful out there! Also, towards the end of the walk at Waypoint 16 "At a white lodge turn left" which takes you up to Woldingham Station is marked as "No public right of way" or similar. Call me a coward but I chose not to take this route (thus missing a train back to East Croydon!) and carried on and came back on myself adjacent to the railway on Church Road. At the station there was a 'special entrance' to the white lodge - maybe I shouldn't be so cowardly in future!

4/17/2011 - Sid Marks

Superb walk conbined with superb views. A couple of steep inclines which can be quite challenging. Worked out around 9.5 miles. Recommended walk.

3/17/2011 - Barbara Blackmore

A super walk with excellent directions. However, the walk grade should not be given as "easy", there are a couple of very steep bits. Also the name of the pub at Instruction 12 has changed from the Bull Inn to The Coach House - but you can't miss it across the green and food was good.

8/17/2010 - Philip Dawson

Awesome walk, with some magnificent views. We did this carrying tents etc. on our backs. It was hard work but worth it for the magnificent views and the Doom Bar served in the pub! Some lovely big houses to gawp at too.

1/29/2007 - Robert Wright

Dear Stephen, what a wonderful comment about this walk. Yes the views are stunning. I am delighted you enjoyed the walk as much as I did. best wishes, Robert Wright

1/21/2007 - Stephen Harris

Wow!. This is NOT an EASY walk. It was most definately a moderate and in places almost a HILL SCRAMBLE. But hey! This rates a FULL and deserved 10 out of 10 on the http://www.walkerz.co.uk scale!. A truly superb walk with much variety and some simply STUNNING views and considering you are SO close to Carshalton and London. Truly awesome and one NOT to miss, well worth it but make sure the weather is good as you might find it a little exposed if it's grey. Today (21.01.07) was superb and we thoroughly enjoyed this 9.6 mile hike (GPS= 9.6 mile logged). Directions were PERFECT.