The Vanguard Way
Croydon
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Joined by the LOOP
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East Croydon to Warlingham
Autumn at Farley Court
Sunday 10 November 2019
The bright sunshine today, such a rarity in this wet Autumn, drew me to the great outdoors and, after a quick breakfast I packed the rucksack and set off for East Croydon. It is always so exciting to start walking a new long distance path adventure. The train journey was slow and relaxing - luckily I remembered to bring a book. I changed trains at Clapham Junction and from there it wasn't long before I arrived at busy East Croydon. The printed notes and directions (written by Colin Saunders) immediately got me on the right track. The VGW left Croydon along leafy roads and lanes, including the historic Fairfield Path, and passed through Lloyd Park. Here I stopped for a coffee at the pavilion before continuing the walk, mostly in complete solitude. After leaving the park and crossing the tramline and main road I briefly wandered around the Coombe House garden.
The path now continued along a leafy lane on the edge of woodland before reaching Ballard's Farm Road. The sun was shining brightly and lit up the autumn foliage as I walked along the gravel track. After a short stretch of road walking within a housing estate I soon entered Littleheath Woods, where the VGW joins the London Loop for the next few miles. I remember this LOOP stretch very well and enjoyed following it again. This time I didn't get 'lost' in the woods and emerged in Selsdon as planned. Selsdon Woods provided further delightful woodland walking on this fine Autumn Day. On reaching Farleigh Golf Club the Vanguard Way bid farewell to the LOOP and made its way along a soggy and muddy path to Farleigh Court. I walked around the old church of St Mary the Virgin before continuing on another muddy path beside Great Park to reach Chelsham Common. I continued walking but soon encountered more mud and then, when I did reach a lovely woodland and North Downs scenery, the daylight faded fast and I lost my way - leaving a field over a style and realising my mistake, I found the heard of cows I was keeping a distance from had followed me and now blocked my entrance back into the field! I decided to call it a day and walked back along the road to Warlingham and on to Upper Warlingham where I caught the train for the journey home.
The bright sunshine today, such a rarity in this wet Autumn, drew me to the great outdoors and, after a quick breakfast I packed the rucksack and set off for East Croydon. It is always so exciting to start walking a new long distance path adventure. The train journey was slow and relaxing - luckily I remembered to bring a book. I changed trains at Clapham Junction and from there it wasn't long before I arrived at busy East Croydon. The printed notes and directions (written by Colin Saunders) immediately got me on the right track. The VGW left Croydon along leafy roads and lanes, including the historic Fairfield Path, and passed through Lloyd Park. Here I stopped for a coffee at the pavilion before continuing the walk, mostly in complete solitude. After leaving the park and crossing the tramline and main road I briefly wandered around the Coombe House garden.
The path now continued along a leafy lane on the edge of woodland before reaching Ballard's Farm Road. The sun was shining brightly and lit up the autumn foliage as I walked along the gravel track. After a short stretch of road walking within a housing estate I soon entered Littleheath Woods, where the VGW joins the London Loop for the next few miles. I remember this LOOP stretch very well and enjoyed following it again. This time I didn't get 'lost' in the woods and emerged in Selsdon as planned. Selsdon Woods provided further delightful woodland walking on this fine Autumn Day. On reaching Farleigh Golf Club the Vanguard Way bid farewell to the LOOP and made its way along a soggy and muddy path to Farleigh Court. I walked around the old church of St Mary the Virgin before continuing on another muddy path beside Great Park to reach Chelsham Common. I continued walking but soon encountered more mud and then, when I did reach a lovely woodland and North Downs scenery, the daylight faded fast and I lost my way - leaving a field over a style and realising my mistake, I found the heard of cows I was keeping a distance from had followed me and now blocked my entrance back into the field! I decided to call it a day and walked back along the road to Warlingham and on to Upper Warlingham where I caught the train for the journey home.
My highlights:
Transport:
- Walking in Littleheath Woods, reunited with the London LOOP
- Selsdon Wood
- Oak trees in Slines Oak Road area
- Birds, pheasants
- Squirrels
- Cows
Transport:
- Train Reading to East Croydon (via Clapham Junction)
- Return: train Upper Warlington to Reading (via Clapham Junction)
- Croydon
- Selsdon
- Warlingham
Church of St Mary the Virgin, Farleigh
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Crossing field by the Nore Hill Chalk Pinnacle
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