Lavender and Surrey Borderlands Walks (10 miles/Moderate)

Metropolitan Walkers is part of the Ramblers, Britain's walking charity. All welcome for 3 'taster' walks, after which please join the Ramblers - info on the Met Walkers website

A walk starting from the outskirts of Greater London, in Carshalton. We will walk through parks and quiet suburban streets, which lead onto the bridleways of Oaks and Telegraph tracks. There are rows of distinctive black timber-clad houses, built in a traditional rural style, that give the area a secluded, timeless feel, right on the edge of the metropolitan boundary.

We stop for lunch at Oaks Park. There is a cafe here for refreshments (and toilets), but please bring a packed lunch as there won't be time for everyone to order food.

We go to Mayfield Lavender farm via a footpath. There is an entrance fee to the site; however, we don't have to pay just for walking through, as long as we stick to the path. After leaving, we enter Surrey and make our way towards Banstead Woods. Having passed through this, we reach the edge of Kingswood and some suburban streets before we reach Epsom Downs. Look out for Coal Tax Posts—19th-century cast-iron markers placed to signify the point where duties on coal entering London were collected. We end the walk at a viewpoint by Tattenham Corner Station overlooking the racecourse. There is an optional pub stop at the end (The Tattenham Corner), which has a large beer garden and interior.

Travel: Take the 10:41 train from London Victoria (10:48 Clapham Junction), arriving Carshalton 11:09.

Note, there are other trains, but this is the one I'll wait for. Use Oyster/Contactless

Grading: Moderate.
For an explanation of the gradings, please see the FAQ - please consider both the length and grade when choosing a walk.

Finish point: Tattenham Corner
More info: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/lavender-and-surrey-borderlands-walks