Poly Ramblers put the last day of summer-time to good use! We were very lucky with the trains and the weather! It wasn’t far after leaving Borough Green station before we were strolling purposefully along a woodland path, enjoying the beneficial boost to our immune systems and normalising our cortisol levels amongst the trees. Soon after that we walked through an orchard where some of us stooped to pick up windfalls – some very large apples that were still perfectly edible. When we did the walkover in mid-September there were of course more medium sized apples which had fallen on the ground but they had since been scooped up by other passers-by no doubt, or invaded by insects or slugs! Continue reading Borough Green to Sevenoaks – 29th October →

18 Poly Ramblers met at Claygate station. We were fortunate to have a warm sunny day for our autumnal walk. We began through the woods of Claygate along a rather narrow bridleway, luckily not too many horses to avoid, before crossing the A3 to climb Winey Hill to reach a large memorial cairn on top with wonderful views all around. We continued around the perimeter of Chessington World of adventures. Chessington began as a zoo in 1931 it is still a major part of the resort with Gorillas, Sumatran Tigers and a sea life centre and a number of other attractions all of which we avoided. We went over the Leatherhead Road to make our way along a narrow path through dense woodland before crossing another busy road. Then it was farmland reaching a white coal post at the boundary of Ashtead Common in Surrey. We walked between some large Oak trees before wending our way along a much narrower path until we came to a very wide horse path. It was at this point that I received a phone call informing me that I had lost five members of the group. Luckily, they were all good map readers and they caught up with us just before our lunch stop at the Star pub a well-known pub chain with excellent food and who were very welcoming. After our lunch stop, we went through Princes Coverts named after Prince Leopold of Belgium. We passed Upper Gravel Pond and Jessops Well, an 18^th century brick spa house. We continued through Princes Coverts before crossing the A3 road, and finally back to Claygate.  We stopped for a drink at Platform 3 a small micro-brewery at the station before catching the train back to Waterloo.

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