The London Loop
St John the Baptist Church, West Wickham
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Spring Park
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West Wickham Common to Hamsey Green
Old church trail leading to St John the Baptist church, Coney Hall
Tuesday 9 May 2017
Back on the Loop – this time on a weekday which means more frequent trains and buses. I knew it was going to be a good day when the delayed train arrived on the platform at the same time as me. I found an empty seat (not always the case on a London bound train) and couldn’t suppress a chuckle when the guard apologised for the delay: a swan had strayed onto the track. Hadn’t heard that one before. The seamless journey continued to Charing Cross. I fully expected that the onward train to Hayes would be waiting for me but finally I had to wait for a train as the next scheduled one was cancelled. Luckily, I brought a book with me – always useful to prevent boredom or frustration during unforeseen travel delays.
The train to Hayes was a slow one but with the long bright May day there was no need to worry about finishing the planned walk in daylight. I briskly walked the three quarters of a mile or so from Hayes station to the spot where I left the Loop in March at West Wickham Common. After a short urban stretch the tarmacked path soon entered Coney Hall Park, passing a stone pillar marking the Greenwich Meridian and a nursery school before entering the churchyard of St John the Baptist Church. I briefly paused to admire the views and the old yew trees, before resuming the walk which now led downhill through fields along an old church trail. After crossing the busy Addington Road, the path continued through playing fields towards Spring Park Woods. Before entering the woods, I paused for lunch on a conveniently located bench. The sun was now shining brightly and I was glad of the dappled shade in the beautiful woods. The bluebells added splashes of colour and the birds were singing energetically. The path emerged from the woods at Shirley Heath and here I took a wrong turn (or forgot to turn) which meant I reached Shirley Church Road too soon. That meant walking along a road for longer than I would have liked but it was a leafy road. Soon I passed some very posh houses with beautiful front gardens as I arrived in Shirley. School was out at the large secondary school along which the path took me and for once I was not alone on the footpath as groups of boisterous teenagers made their way home.
It was quite hot by the time I reached Upper Shirley Road and I was glad that, shortly after crossing the busy road, I reached the footpath leading first through woodland and then heathland to the top of Addington Hill. Here I paused to admire the amazing views of the London skyline. As always from these out-of-town viewpoints, the Shard was the most recognizable (closely followed by the Crystal Palace transmitter). I chatted to a fellow walker who has detoured from the Vanguard Way (a walk from Croydon to Newhaven) for the views from here. We talked London walks for a bit as he lives in North London and he gave me some tips about the walk ahead.
Back on the Loop – this time on a weekday which means more frequent trains and buses. I knew it was going to be a good day when the delayed train arrived on the platform at the same time as me. I found an empty seat (not always the case on a London bound train) and couldn’t suppress a chuckle when the guard apologised for the delay: a swan had strayed onto the track. Hadn’t heard that one before. The seamless journey continued to Charing Cross. I fully expected that the onward train to Hayes would be waiting for me but finally I had to wait for a train as the next scheduled one was cancelled. Luckily, I brought a book with me – always useful to prevent boredom or frustration during unforeseen travel delays.
The train to Hayes was a slow one but with the long bright May day there was no need to worry about finishing the planned walk in daylight. I briskly walked the three quarters of a mile or so from Hayes station to the spot where I left the Loop in March at West Wickham Common. After a short urban stretch the tarmacked path soon entered Coney Hall Park, passing a stone pillar marking the Greenwich Meridian and a nursery school before entering the churchyard of St John the Baptist Church. I briefly paused to admire the views and the old yew trees, before resuming the walk which now led downhill through fields along an old church trail. After crossing the busy Addington Road, the path continued through playing fields towards Spring Park Woods. Before entering the woods, I paused for lunch on a conveniently located bench. The sun was now shining brightly and I was glad of the dappled shade in the beautiful woods. The bluebells added splashes of colour and the birds were singing energetically. The path emerged from the woods at Shirley Heath and here I took a wrong turn (or forgot to turn) which meant I reached Shirley Church Road too soon. That meant walking along a road for longer than I would have liked but it was a leafy road. Soon I passed some very posh houses with beautiful front gardens as I arrived in Shirley. School was out at the large secondary school along which the path took me and for once I was not alone on the footpath as groups of boisterous teenagers made their way home.
It was quite hot by the time I reached Upper Shirley Road and I was glad that, shortly after crossing the busy road, I reached the footpath leading first through woodland and then heathland to the top of Addington Hill. Here I paused to admire the amazing views of the London skyline. As always from these out-of-town viewpoints, the Shard was the most recognizable (closely followed by the Crystal Palace transmitter). I chatted to a fellow walker who has detoured from the Vanguard Way (a walk from Croydon to Newhaven) for the views from here. We talked London walks for a bit as he lives in North London and he gave me some tips about the walk ahead.
Garden at Heathfield House
Leaving Addington Hill the path emerged by a tram stop. I was almost tempted to board the tram for the ride to Croydon but I knew that there was a treat in store shortly and I was not disappointed. The gardens at Heathfield were amazing. I was lucky enough to pass here at a time of year when the Rhododendron and Azaleas were in full bloom and the colours were amazing. The tip I acquired was to walk around Heathfield House (a training centre for Croydon Borough staff) for the fine views towards New Addington and the gardens. I particularly enjoyed the garden at the back of the house. It was created on a steep hillside and contained rocky paths and small bridges across a little stream. There was so much to admire in this small space. I sat down for a few minutes for a drink and snack while feeling lucky to be able to go out for a walk and later return home with memories of so many beautiful places.
From Heathfield House the path goes round the pond and then uphill to leave the park. Shortly after it enters Bramley Bank Nature Reserve and at the end emerges into an open green space and then, downhill on a grassy path towards a group of birches. Here my path turned left into Littleheath Woods where the Loop joins the Vanguard Way for the walk through Selsdon and Selsdon Wood (National Trust). There were so many more bluebells to admire here and in Pulplet Wood that I almost became blasé about them. Eventually I emerged from the trees and bluebells to walk through a surprisingly rural area near Farleigh. At a proper working farm (Elm Farm) the path first followed a hedge and then dropped down into a green and pleasant valley before going uphill again through another woodland and then past fields (this is where I spotted the fox) to soon reach Hamsey Green.
I didn’t have to wait long for the bus to East Croydon train station. And then a miracle happened. Before this walk my attitude was that I wanted to get this section ‘out of the way’ because I didn’t like the idea of Croydon. But, having spent the day in rural bliss, I found I really enjoyed the liveliness and multi-cultural feel of East Croydon with its abundance of food and drink outlets and I now look forward to returning here for the next section of the London Loop!
My highlights:
Transport:
From Heathfield House the path goes round the pond and then uphill to leave the park. Shortly after it enters Bramley Bank Nature Reserve and at the end emerges into an open green space and then, downhill on a grassy path towards a group of birches. Here my path turned left into Littleheath Woods where the Loop joins the Vanguard Way for the walk through Selsdon and Selsdon Wood (National Trust). There were so many more bluebells to admire here and in Pulplet Wood that I almost became blasé about them. Eventually I emerged from the trees and bluebells to walk through a surprisingly rural area near Farleigh. At a proper working farm (Elm Farm) the path first followed a hedge and then dropped down into a green and pleasant valley before going uphill again through another woodland and then past fields (this is where I spotted the fox) to soon reach Hamsey Green.
I didn’t have to wait long for the bus to East Croydon train station. And then a miracle happened. Before this walk my attitude was that I wanted to get this section ‘out of the way’ because I didn’t like the idea of Croydon. But, having spent the day in rural bliss, I found I really enjoyed the liveliness and multi-cultural feel of East Croydon with its abundance of food and drink outlets and I now look forward to returning here for the next section of the London Loop!
My highlights:
- St John the Baptist Church
- Walking through ancient woodlands (Spring Park, Selsdon)
- Addington Hill with grand views of the London skyline
- Gardens at Heathfield
- Squirrels
- Woodpigeons, blackbirds, jays, and many other birds
- Fox
Transport:
- Train Reading to Paddington, underground to Charing Cross, train to Hayes
- Return: Bus 403 to Fairfields Hall, Croydon; train East Croydon to London Bridge, underground to Paddington, train to Reading
- Hayes (wide variety)
- Coney Hall
- Shirley (pub, shop)
- Hamsey Green
- Hayes
- East Croydon
Sign Post in Spring Park
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Walk up to Addington Hill
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