The London Loop
Path through Crofton Wood
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St Giles the Abbott Church, Farnborough
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Petts Wood to West Wickham Common
High Elms Clock House
Saturday 11 March 2017
It’s been a while since I’ve been on a good long solo adventure walk. The weather looked good for Saturday and I set off reasonably early for the long trip to southeast London (or should I say Kent?). The train to Paddington was packed and the Bakerloo line train was even worse. However, by the time I arrived in Charing Cross things had quietened down and I was at last able to relax and enjoy the journey. The lingering mist added an extra dimension to the spectacular views from Hungerford Bridge as the train crossed the Thames.
The sun appeared as I arrived in Petts Wood and I made my way to Jubilee Park where I re-joined the Loop. I followed the main path through the park and stopped for a sandwich at one of the picnic tables. On consulting my guidebook, I realised that I should have turned left shortly after entering the park which meant I had to backtrack a little bit. The side track was a little muddy and well-trodden by dog walkers so I was quite pleased to reach a pleasant suburban residential area. This was followed by a relaxing stroll on a good track through Crofton Wood. Leaving the woodland, daffodils and crocuses provided evidence that spring has arrived. After walking through Crofton and then slightly uphill through another woodland the path emerged at the top of open parkland with views towards Orpington. I crossed the park and enjoyed walking gently downhill on the soft grass track. After crossing the busy road at the bottom, I arrived in the village of Farnborough. This used to be a bustling stopping point on the busy coaching route between London and Hastings but today it felt a little neglected. The most impressive sight in the village is St Giles the Abbott Church. I paused briefly on a bench under the enormous yew tree before walking through the open grassland towards High Elms Country Park. There’s a café and toilets here but I decided not to stop for coffee and couldn’t find the toilets so I carried on walking.
After leaving the park the path continued pleasantly, if unspectacularly, through a variety of scenery – golf course, woodland and farmland to reach Holwood Farm. There’s a shop here but it had just closed when I arrived (4pm).
It’s been a while since I’ve been on a good long solo adventure walk. The weather looked good for Saturday and I set off reasonably early for the long trip to southeast London (or should I say Kent?). The train to Paddington was packed and the Bakerloo line train was even worse. However, by the time I arrived in Charing Cross things had quietened down and I was at last able to relax and enjoy the journey. The lingering mist added an extra dimension to the spectacular views from Hungerford Bridge as the train crossed the Thames.
The sun appeared as I arrived in Petts Wood and I made my way to Jubilee Park where I re-joined the Loop. I followed the main path through the park and stopped for a sandwich at one of the picnic tables. On consulting my guidebook, I realised that I should have turned left shortly after entering the park which meant I had to backtrack a little bit. The side track was a little muddy and well-trodden by dog walkers so I was quite pleased to reach a pleasant suburban residential area. This was followed by a relaxing stroll on a good track through Crofton Wood. Leaving the woodland, daffodils and crocuses provided evidence that spring has arrived. After walking through Crofton and then slightly uphill through another woodland the path emerged at the top of open parkland with views towards Orpington. I crossed the park and enjoyed walking gently downhill on the soft grass track. After crossing the busy road at the bottom, I arrived in the village of Farnborough. This used to be a bustling stopping point on the busy coaching route between London and Hastings but today it felt a little neglected. The most impressive sight in the village is St Giles the Abbott Church. I paused briefly on a bench under the enormous yew tree before walking through the open grassland towards High Elms Country Park. There’s a café and toilets here but I decided not to stop for coffee and couldn’t find the toilets so I carried on walking.
After leaving the park the path continued pleasantly, if unspectacularly, through a variety of scenery – golf course, woodland and farmland to reach Holwood Farm. There’s a shop here but it had just closed when I arrived (4pm).
Keston Ponds
The next section was an enjoyable uphill walk through the Holwood Estate and, at the top, a historic site awaited in the shape of a fenced in stone bench and the remains of an old oak – the Wilberforce Oak. Here William Wilberforce and William Pitt the Younger (Prime Minister and owner of Holwood House at that time) discussed the abolition of the slave trade. The newer wooden bench was occupied by some young people and I overheard them remark how amazing it is to enjoy this quiet spot and the rural surroundings and yet be so close to London. I couldn’t agree more!
After leaving the woodland of Holwood Estate, the route enters Keston Common after crossing the busy Westerham Road. Rather than follow the main path I opted for the climb uphill to walk through the lovely heathland to Caesar’s Well. The water bubbling up here is the source of the River Ravensbourne as it starts its journey through South East London to eventually join the Thames at Deptford. The walk along Keston Ponds (man-made lakes created in the early 19th century to provide water for Holwood) was sometimes muddy and at times I had to step over fishing rods. This is obviously a popular spot for locals and having a car park near a beauty spot always brings with it a downside of litter and (in my opinion) too many people and there was a bit of that here. There was also some dredging going on. All that, together with the fading late afternoon light, left me slightly disappointed with these ponds. However, soon trees and riverside plants will green and blossom as spring takes hold and I realize that the picture will be much prettier then. At the end of the ponds I did take advantage of modern civilization and bought a takeaway cup of coffee from the ice-cream van.
After reaching Keston (walking straight past the pubs) the path continued pleasantly alongside Hayes Common and then West Wickham Common to reach the end of this section. I still had a bit more walking (up and downhill) to do before reaching Hayes Station but was pleased that I made it with daylight to spare!
After leaving the woodland of Holwood Estate, the route enters Keston Common after crossing the busy Westerham Road. Rather than follow the main path I opted for the climb uphill to walk through the lovely heathland to Caesar’s Well. The water bubbling up here is the source of the River Ravensbourne as it starts its journey through South East London to eventually join the Thames at Deptford. The walk along Keston Ponds (man-made lakes created in the early 19th century to provide water for Holwood) was sometimes muddy and at times I had to step over fishing rods. This is obviously a popular spot for locals and having a car park near a beauty spot always brings with it a downside of litter and (in my opinion) too many people and there was a bit of that here. There was also some dredging going on. All that, together with the fading late afternoon light, left me slightly disappointed with these ponds. However, soon trees and riverside plants will green and blossom as spring takes hold and I realize that the picture will be much prettier then. At the end of the ponds I did take advantage of modern civilization and bought a takeaway cup of coffee from the ice-cream van.
After reaching Keston (walking straight past the pubs) the path continued pleasantly alongside Hayes Common and then West Wickham Common to reach the end of this section. I still had a bit more walking (up and downhill) to do before reaching Hayes Station but was pleased that I made it with daylight to spare!
My highlights:
Transport:
- St Giles the Abbott Church, Farnborough
- High Elms Country Park
- Wilberforce Oak
- Keston Common
- Usual array of water fowl
- squirrels
- Woodpecker (heard not seen)
- Woodpigeons, blackbirds, and other birds
- Parakeets
Transport:
- Train Reading to Paddington, underground to Charing Cross, train to Petts Wood
- Return: Train Hayes to Charing Cross, underground to Paddington, train to Reading
- Petts Wood (wide selection)
- Farnborough
- Café at High Elms Country Park
- Keston (pubs), ice-cream van by the ponds
- Hayes (wide selection)
- High Elms Country Park
The Wilberforce Oak
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Heathland in Keston Common
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