Seventeen Polyramblers gathered for an undulating  9.5 mile walk through ancient woodland, open downs and farmland in London’s Green Belt all within zone 6.

Initially we followed part of the Banstead Woods Nature Trail which is an ancient woodland full of English bluebells and containing three sculptures illustrating the C. S. Lewis Narnia books. Leaving the trail we picnicked on a grassy slope of Stagbury Downs with fine views across Chipstead valley. After carefully crossing a railway line we walked through an open valley in Shabden Park and across a golf course to the Well House Inn for a welcome if noisy drinks break. Suitably refreshed we walked through a remote area of country lanes, narrow paths and through the paddocks of Southerns Farm where two friendly donkeys came to say hello.

Our return route took us along a woodland path through Shabden Park’s Long Plantation, along the southern edge of Banstead Wood and across farmland.  We passed Kingswood House, an abandoned head office building, and reached Kingswood station for our journey home.

Thanks to Ida and Nita for the photos and to Carol for the scrumptious bliss balls.

Sunita and Jennifer