20.8.2013 Section 4
20/08/13 22:57
An early start was necessary as the "commute" to the start and end point of each LOOP leg are getting longer and longer.
So be it as long as the weather is fine ( and it is ! ) nothing speaks against it.
West Wickham ( Hayes Station ) which was last time the end point I reached by bus in about 1 h 15 min. to walk quickly to the entry point of the LOOP.
After a short walk I reached the Recreational Gardens of Coney Hall with the little pillar standing on the Greenwich Meridian.
Climbing a bit up-hill one reaches St.John the Baptist Church with ii's partly overgrown churchyard and fantastic views over the at this part of London very rural countryside.
But civilization is never far: a big round-about needed to be crossed to reach the gates to the Sparrow De's playing fields. The local rugby club was teaching it's juniors. After watching the training session for a while I went on the reach the Spring Park Woods, ancient woodlands, owned by the Corporation of London since 1926.
Passing through Threehalfpenny Wood with the border stone between Bromley Borough and Croydon Borough and very close by the old boundary bank that once separated Kent from Surrey.
Heading on via Shirley Heath, a beautiful open grassland with sloping meadows ( if only the power masts wouldn't be there ! ) which make you forget that one is in London one reaches Upper Shirley.Passing through is rural part of London I discovered at a house this great sign ( should put this up at my house as well ! )
Leaving Upper Shirley after a little rest the path climbs steadily to reach Addington Hill. Fantastic views over Croydon and London.
The Crystal Palace transmitter, The Shard, Canary Wharf and Wembley Stadium are clearly visible.
According to my tour-book also Epping Forest and Windsor Castle. Having indulged the views the LOOP goes downhill to reach the Tramlink Station Coombe Lane.
No, I went on passing Heathfield Park with Heathfield House, a Borough of Croydon Training centre, and Bramley Bank, another local nature reserve., where clearings gave fantastic views of the southernmost parts of London.
From here on the LOOP path coincides for about 2 m with the Vanguard Way, a long distance trail from Croydon to Newhaven, to reach a footpath called Baker Boy Lane.
Following this lane for quite a while one has London on your right and Surrey on your left; the Greater London boundary.
At it's end one has clearly reached the very rural part of London: meadows with cows and horses and the working Elm Farm. Walking on through farmland on reaches again civilization: the first houses of Hamsey Green, a part of Croydon. In it's centre the bus station whre this part of the LOOP finishes.
Some more pictures of this section can be found here.
This concludes the 4.section: 8 ½ miles, 117 m still to go.
So be it as long as the weather is fine ( and it is ! ) nothing speaks against it.
West Wickham ( Hayes Station ) which was last time the end point I reached by bus in about 1 h 15 min. to walk quickly to the entry point of the LOOP.
After a short walk I reached the Recreational Gardens of Coney Hall with the little pillar standing on the Greenwich Meridian.
Climbing a bit up-hill one reaches St.John the Baptist Church with ii's partly overgrown churchyard and fantastic views over the at this part of London very rural countryside.
But civilization is never far: a big round-about needed to be crossed to reach the gates to the Sparrow De's playing fields. The local rugby club was teaching it's juniors. After watching the training session for a while I went on the reach the Spring Park Woods, ancient woodlands, owned by the Corporation of London since 1926.
Passing through Threehalfpenny Wood with the border stone between Bromley Borough and Croydon Borough and very close by the old boundary bank that once separated Kent from Surrey.
Heading on via Shirley Heath, a beautiful open grassland with sloping meadows ( if only the power masts wouldn't be there ! ) which make you forget that one is in London one reaches Upper Shirley.Passing through is rural part of London I discovered at a house this great sign ( should put this up at my house as well ! )
Leaving Upper Shirley after a little rest the path climbs steadily to reach Addington Hill. Fantastic views over Croydon and London.
The Crystal Palace transmitter, The Shard, Canary Wharf and Wembley Stadium are clearly visible.
According to my tour-book also Epping Forest and Windsor Castle. Having indulged the views the LOOP goes downhill to reach the Tramlink Station Coombe Lane.
No, I went on passing Heathfield Park with Heathfield House, a Borough of Croydon Training centre, and Bramley Bank, another local nature reserve., where clearings gave fantastic views of the southernmost parts of London.
From here on the LOOP path coincides for about 2 m with the Vanguard Way, a long distance trail from Croydon to Newhaven, to reach a footpath called Baker Boy Lane.
Following this lane for quite a while one has London on your right and Surrey on your left; the Greater London boundary.
At it's end one has clearly reached the very rural part of London: meadows with cows and horses and the working Elm Farm. Walking on through farmland on reaches again civilization: the first houses of Hamsey Green, a part of Croydon. In it's centre the bus station whre this part of the LOOP finishes.
Some more pictures of this section can be found here.
This concludes the 4.section: 8 ½ miles, 117 m still to go.
