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.
