We were due to walk the fourth and final part of the Thames Estuary Path that day but a train strike (which was cancelled) and engineering work forced me to rearrange the walk. I had bought a book about the Green London Way in the early 90’s but never used it. I thought a couple of the short walks from the book could provide a good alternative as they start and terminate at TFL stations. The green London Way is a hundred mile walk that circles the capital through its canal tow paths, commons and woodlands. It is similar – but not identical to, the Capital Ring.

The weather was atrocious the morning of the walk and I did not expect many people to turn up. I should have known better. 13 Polyramblers,  gluttons for punishment, met me at Finsbury Park station. The first Victorian Park was Finsbury Park. Like all the parks we crossed, it was saved after vigorous public campaigning by wealthy philanthropists, social reformers, the new middle class and the London poor. Finsbury Park was the frequent haunt of duellists and this is commemorated in the mosaic design of crossed pistols on the platforms of the Finsbury Park Underground station. Exiting the park at Manor House, we followed Woodberry Down and then the New River Path in a South Westerly direction. The rain had stopped at that point which was a relief. Continue reading Victorian parks and medieval marshes – Finsbury Park to Cambridge Heath – 6 November →

Thirty Poly Ramblers and 3 guests gathered at Petts Wood station for the shortish walk to Chislehurst at the end of September. We followed the London Loop for the first mile or so, then veered off slightly uphill along country lanes until we emerged onto Chislehurst Common which was surrounded by a surprising number of pubs. We paused to view the old cock pit and visited St Nicholas Church. In the graveyard were buried Sir Malcom Campbell, the racing motorist and setter of land speed records, and Sir William Willett who invented the concept of British Summer Time. Continuing through the town we walked through woods and common land, pausing to view the Prince Imperial Monument to the son of Emperor Napoleon III who lived in Chislehurst in the 1870s. A little later we came to the Ramblers Inn and ensconced ourselves in there for the next hour or so until it was time to walk down the hill to Chislehurst Caves. We enjoyed a very informative hour long tour with a knowledgeable and entertaining guide. We learnt how the Caves were used as ammunitions storage in WW1, for mushroom cultivation in the 1930s, as a WWII air raid shelter and underground city for thousands, and a music venue in the 1950s and 60’s. After the tour we enjoyed tea and homemade cake in the café before heading for the station, or the pub next door.

Gillian.  Photos by Jill and Stuart

Thirteen ramblers arrived in Tudeley on a beautiful sunny morning, despite a train cancellation and delayed bus. They were met by another three who had travelled by car. We set off across fields towards the Norman St.T homas a Becket church in Capel. This grade 1 listed building is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. It is no longer used for regular services but is still consacrated. We admired the 13th century wall paintings which were discovered in 1927. As there were a large number of benches in the churchyard, we decided to stop for our picnic.

On leaving the church, we passed the 800 year old yew tree under which St. Thomas a Becket is said to have preached. The sun then disappeared and we were surprised by a, fortunately brief, fairly heavy shower. The next section of the walk took us through woods and orchards, where we collected delicious windfalls. There were quite a few stiles, some not very easy to negotiate. The leader managed to lose four members just before arriving at Tudeley, due to the difficulty of climbing the last one. We were, however, all reunited at All Saints Church where we were joined by another three members who had made their own way there. Our guide, Daphne was waiting for us. She treated us to a very interesting talk about the history and installation of the wonderful stained glass Chagall windows. If you have not seen them, they are well worth a visit. The colours are incredible and as Daphne pointed out, there are so many small details that the more you look, the more you see. It is the only church in the world to have all its windows decorated by the great artist. The last section of the walk took us through the grounds of the magnificent Somerhill House. This grade 1 listed Jacobean mansion is now a school and was painted by Turner in 1811. After what was quite a long day, we arrived at Tonbridge station in time to get a cup of tea or coffee to take on the train back.

Susan. Photos by Stuart, Chris and Susan

The 66 mile Vanguard Way links East Croydon in Surrey with Newhaven on the south coast. It was devised in 1980 by members of the Vanguards Rambling Club, which was based in Croydon and begins at East Croydon railway station. 14 Poly Ramblers set off from East Croydon station to cross the many tram lines to walk through the residential outskirts of Croydon and reach the open space of Lloyd Park. We passed some strange gadgets consisting of a metal basket on a pole with a ring of chains and yellow band for flying disc golf. At this point we slightly diverted from the Vanguard way to re-join it at Coombe Wood.  We stopped at a garden centre before following the excellent Vanguard Way signage to reach Littleheath woods. We continued uphill before reaching our lunch stop in playing fields, a lovely sunny spot with plenty of benches, then uphill to a junction where the London Loop came in. As we came out of the woods we were standing at the boundary between the wards of Addington and Selsdon so the road had different names Selsdon Park road to the left Addington Road to the right. At this point Harriet decided to take a bus back to give her knee a much-needed rest. We followed our route reaching a gap into Selsdon Wood Nature Reserve. On exiting the reserve, we left the London Borough of Croydon and entered the Tandridge District in the county of Surrey. We turned up Baker Boy Lane joining the Tandridge Border Path with Puplet Woods to our left followed by Farleigh Court Golf Club and then along a narrow path between fences. We all enjoyed our tea stop at the church of St Mary the Virgin. The tea organisers had prepared tables for us and we had an eye watering choice of at least six different cakes. We were treated to guitar playing in the church yard. We were also given a tour of the beautiful 13^th century church. It clearly was a very popular venue as we had been overtaken by a number of car drivers on route, rushing to the tea stop. We completed our walk to catch the bus back to East Croydon Station. A very satisfying 1^st stage of the Vanguard Way which had very clear signage hopefully to be continued for our next stage.

Hilary and Susan.