June 2014
17.6.2014 Section 6
17/06/14 22:48
Only one week has gone and I am already on to do the next section: Banstead to Kingston upon Thames.
It’s a little milestone but let me explain later !
It started at Banstead train station to cross immedeatly the lawns of the Banstead Golf Club
where early birds where already in full “swing”.
Very quickly the Banstead Downs are left behind and the path follows various streets of East Ewell to reach the elegant vistas of Nonsuch Park where Henry VIII exotoc palace once stood. Only marker stones indicate today the exact place as the palace has long gone.
Following the path under hugh ancient trees one reaches another place of Henry: his old hunting place or rather the place where it once stood.
Today only the newly erected foundations are visible, but still…
Having managed to cross the very busy A24 one reaches the old part of Ewell
( mind the ending of the name! ) where the Victorian Ewell Castle with castellations ( now a school ) is imposing.
Passing the old church yard with the medieval bell tower, the church is gone , the path leads the walker right into the “city centre” passing the old village “watch house”.
A short walk and one has the imposing gatehouse into Bourne Hall Park in front.
In the park a huge lake, fed by springs, is the source of the river Hogsmill which one follows from now on till it ends in the Thames.
The abundance of water was once used to run several mills to mill flour, for paper or powder.
Some remains of these mills can still be seen today.
The LOOP path follows from now on, as mentioned, the Hogsmill river, till one reaches Malden which
derives it’s name from the Saxon “mael-dun” - "a cross on the hill" and here stands the church on it’s hill above the Hogsmill.
The church itself an interesting mixture of medieval flintwork, nave and tower from the early 17th century and an Victorian annex.
Leaving Malden’s church behind one has to step down to reach the Hogsmill to follow a path right next to the stream.
Quickly Berrylands Station is reached where huge sewage works and a cemetery right next to the path make it an interesting experience to walk.
Now one delves into the urban area of Kingston with some of its university buildings right next to the stream.
A very calm and relaxing way to study !
Soon the centre of Kingston is reached with its imposing Guildhall where one finds the coronation stone of the old Saxon kings. By tradition seven of them, starting in the year 900 with Edward the Elder, were crowned on this block.
Now we know where Kingston got i’s name from.
The hogsmill passes now through Kingston the reach the river Thames the end of Loop section 6.
Remember the “little” milestone I mentioned at the beginning ?
Well, having reached Kingston upon Thames I have now finished the full southern circle of the LOOP: it started at Erith last year.
Some more pictures of this section can be found here.
This concludes the 6.section: 10 3/4 miles, 106 3/4 m still to go.
It’s a little milestone but let me explain later !
It started at Banstead train station to cross immedeatly the lawns of the Banstead Golf Club
where early birds where already in full “swing”.
Very quickly the Banstead Downs are left behind and the path follows various streets of East Ewell to reach the elegant vistas of Nonsuch Park where Henry VIII exotoc palace once stood. Only marker stones indicate today the exact place as the palace has long gone.
Following the path under hugh ancient trees one reaches another place of Henry: his old hunting place or rather the place where it once stood.
Today only the newly erected foundations are visible, but still…
Having managed to cross the very busy A24 one reaches the old part of Ewell
( mind the ending of the name! ) where the Victorian Ewell Castle with castellations ( now a school ) is imposing.
Passing the old church yard with the medieval bell tower, the church is gone , the path leads the walker right into the “city centre” passing the old village “watch house”.
A short walk and one has the imposing gatehouse into Bourne Hall Park in front.
In the park a huge lake, fed by springs, is the source of the river Hogsmill which one follows from now on till it ends in the Thames.
The abundance of water was once used to run several mills to mill flour, for paper or powder.
Some remains of these mills can still be seen today.
The LOOP path follows from now on, as mentioned, the Hogsmill river, till one reaches Malden which
derives it’s name from the Saxon “mael-dun” - "a cross on the hill" and here stands the church on it’s hill above the Hogsmill.
The church itself an interesting mixture of medieval flintwork, nave and tower from the early 17th century and an Victorian annex.
Leaving Malden’s church behind one has to step down to reach the Hogsmill to follow a path right next to the stream.
Quickly Berrylands Station is reached where huge sewage works and a cemetery right next to the path make it an interesting experience to walk.
Now one delves into the urban area of Kingston with some of its university buildings right next to the stream.
A very calm and relaxing way to study !
Soon the centre of Kingston is reached with its imposing Guildhall where one finds the coronation stone of the old Saxon kings. By tradition seven of them, starting in the year 900 with Edward the Elder, were crowned on this block.
Now we know where Kingston got i’s name from.
The hogsmill passes now through Kingston the reach the river Thames the end of Loop section 6.
Remember the “little” milestone I mentioned at the beginning ?
Well, having reached Kingston upon Thames I have now finished the full southern circle of the LOOP: it started at Erith last year.
Some more pictures of this section can be found here.
This concludes the 6.section: 10 3/4 miles, 106 3/4 m still to go.
11.6.2014 Section 5
11/06/14 17:30
A bit more then a year has gone since I started my “LOOP Project” and it was about time to start the 2014 season.
Hamsey Green to Banstead Downs:10 ¼ m
With the sections now starting further in the west the “commuting time” gets longer and I had to get up this morning at 6:00 ( like in my old working days ) to catch a train getting my via Croydon and then by bus to Hamsey Green the start point.
Via the Skylark Meadows into the Whyteleafe Valley where an Ordnance Survey triangulation stone is passed.
According to the Loop book the one on the LOOP.
Walking over lovely meadows, passing through woodland one reaches Kenley where a steep climb up to Kenley common has to be mastered.
All these meadows and woodlands are owned and maintained by the Corporation of London.
Walking across the common on reaches the edge of an historic site, the Kenley Airfield,
the last of London’s Battle of Britain fighter stations.
Leaving the airfield behind, passing what must be the world’s tiniest observatory belonging to the Croydon Astronomical Society Old Couldsdon is reached. For a few 100 yards one passes through very rural roads to reach Coulsdon Common.
Walking further the path comes out on the slopes of Happy Valley.
It’s very hard to imagine that this is LONDON.
For about ¾ of a mile the patch follows this “Happy Valley” where several places invite to have a rest and indulge the scenery.
Leaving the valley one has a gentle climb up to the Farthing Downs. Again owned and managed by the Corporation of London.
From up here one has a great view of London: the Shard and other sky-scrapers are clearly visible in the distance.
Leaving the downs behind one reaches Coulsdon where traffic and it’s noise is hitting one.
Passing quickly through the urbanisation to leave the husstle und buzzle behind the path reaches Woodcote Park.
Also from here spectacular views of London in the distance.
Quickly Oak Park is been reached where vast Lavender fields give the air a nice scent.
The view must be fantastic later in the year when the lavender is in full bloom.
Oak Park Farm, an old country estate, is accesible and a little cafe demands a little rest.Unfortunately of the oaks the original owners plated in the 14th century almost all didn’t survive the great storm in 1987 but many replacements have been planted since. Leaving the farm behind one walks along a long, green covered wall: HMP Highdown.
Via a cool and vast woodland Banstead Common is been reached but attention when walking across the common on the LOOP path: it’s golf course !
Several golfers had to stop when I was walking across !
Here one leaves the LOOP path to reach Banstead Station where a train will get me me home.
Some more pictures of this section can be found here.
This concludes the 5.section: 10 1/4 miles, 106 3/4 m still to go.
Hamsey Green to Banstead Downs:10 ¼ m
With the sections now starting further in the west the “commuting time” gets longer and I had to get up this morning at 6:00 ( like in my old working days ) to catch a train getting my via Croydon and then by bus to Hamsey Green the start point.
Via the Skylark Meadows into the Whyteleafe Valley where an Ordnance Survey triangulation stone is passed.
According to the Loop book the one on the LOOP.
Walking over lovely meadows, passing through woodland one reaches Kenley where a steep climb up to Kenley common has to be mastered.
All these meadows and woodlands are owned and maintained by the Corporation of London.
Walking across the common on reaches the edge of an historic site, the Kenley Airfield,
the last of London’s Battle of Britain fighter stations.
Leaving the airfield behind, passing what must be the world’s tiniest observatory belonging to the Croydon Astronomical Society Old Couldsdon is reached. For a few 100 yards one passes through very rural roads to reach Coulsdon Common.
Walking further the path comes out on the slopes of Happy Valley.
It’s very hard to imagine that this is LONDON.
For about ¾ of a mile the patch follows this “Happy Valley” where several places invite to have a rest and indulge the scenery.
Leaving the valley one has a gentle climb up to the Farthing Downs. Again owned and managed by the Corporation of London.
From up here one has a great view of London: the Shard and other sky-scrapers are clearly visible in the distance.
Leaving the downs behind one reaches Coulsdon where traffic and it’s noise is hitting one.
Passing quickly through the urbanisation to leave the husstle und buzzle behind the path reaches Woodcote Park.
Also from here spectacular views of London in the distance.
Quickly Oak Park is been reached where vast Lavender fields give the air a nice scent.
The view must be fantastic later in the year when the lavender is in full bloom.
Oak Park Farm, an old country estate, is accesible and a little cafe demands a little rest.Unfortunately of the oaks the original owners plated in the 14th century almost all didn’t survive the great storm in 1987 but many replacements have been planted since. Leaving the farm behind one walks along a long, green covered wall: HMP Highdown.
Via a cool and vast woodland Banstead Common is been reached but attention when walking across the common on the LOOP path: it’s golf course !
Several golfers had to stop when I was walking across !
Here one leaves the LOOP path to reach Banstead Station where a train will get me me home.
Some more pictures of this section can be found here.
This concludes the 5.section: 10 1/4 miles, 106 3/4 m still to go.
