London surburbia meets the M25, North Downs & Pilgrims Way

This walk is based on my first lead in 2021. The one thing missing  was a  decent place to stop for lunch, so I have researched the walk again and slightly changed the route. We'll now stop for lunch on the village green in Tatsfield. There's also a pub for a mid-walk beverage! 

The walk is quite hilly, but does offer commanding views of the Weald from the North Downs (if the hum of the M25 can be ignored). 

The highlights:

Woldingham: A former tiny hamlet of old farms and manors, built up in two phases. Firstly, Woldingham Garden Village from the time of the First World War, which was built on an old army base with tiny weatherboarded bungalows. Secondly, big houses from the 1930s onwards. Now a high-class suburb and one of the wealthiest around London. 

North Downs: A chalk ridge in counterpoint to the South Downs, starting at Farnham and ending at Folkestone. This walk takes in the highest point on the North Downs, which is Botley Hill, 267m. Good weather will allow views to central London and beyond, even to the Chilterns, it is claimed.

Woldingham and Oxted Downs: A Site of Special Scientific Interest on the North Downs with species-rich chalk grassland, woodland and scrub. Abundant chalk downland herbs and flowers.

Tatsfield:  The village is on the North Downs with its centre near its highest point, at an altitude of around 230 metres (750 ft) north of the ridge of the North Downs where the North Downs Way passes through the parish. Tatsfield is twinned with Vern-d'Anjou in France.

Titsey Place: A manor house seen at a distance from the hill behind. Built in 1775, but gothicised in 1832. Attractive parkland and gardens and now in a charitable trust and so open to the public, summertime only. 

The route please click the link in red to be taken to the route at the Ordnance Survey website. This will also show you the elevations and climbing. 

Winding through Woldingham Garden Village and Woldingham proper, we'll reach the Vanguard Way and Upland Road to get to Limpsfield Road. Coming off this and striking further southeast, we'll cross the fields at Cheverells Farm to reach Beddestead Lane. We'll stop for lunch on the outskirts of Tatsfield village which will take us to the edge of the North Downs. We'll then follow the North Downs Way/Pilgrims' Way and navigate across Wistlers Wood and back towards Woldingham station.

Dogs

I love having dogs on my walks and this walk is suitable for them. It is of moderate length albeit very hilly, but there will be fields with livestock and a number of stiles and roads to negotiate and lanes to walk along. A dog must be obedient if it is off the lead. 

Don't waste that space!

Walks get really busy so please only book if you know you can make it. Plans obviously change, but please remember free up your space for someone else. 

New Members

New members are very welcome. Please message me if you have any questions or concerns before the day. Whilst we are a very open and welcoming group, if you wish, we may be able to organise an existing member to buddy up with you before or on the day. Do also feel free to arrive early as I’m always around much earlier than the start time.

All photographs are my own, taken on a previous ODL walk in 2021.