Oxted-to-Lingfield: Vanguard! (12.2 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

The walk kicks off by crossing a meadow to the nearby village of Limpsfield, where you can find a stained glass window honoring St Cecilia in St Peter's Church. This window pays tribute to the famous musicians laid to rest in the churchyard. We then make our way over the wooded Greensand Ridge; the rest of the walk takes you through the Low Weald, a gently undulating area dotted with charming old farmhouses and manor homes. The Weald used to be completely covered in forest, and one of the few remaining patches is Staffhurst Wood, a local nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest which the Surrey Wildlife Trust looks after. A lot of the trees in this ancient woodland were cut down in the 1930s, and it suffered more damage during World War II when it served as an ammunition dump. However, it has since been restored as a traditional ‘coppice with standards’ wood.

The afternoon part of the walk mainly goes across flat farmland, but there are a few low hills that provide surprisingly good views.

Lunch stop is the Grumpy Mole, a popular country inn which has an attractive garden with fine views across the Low Weald - but please bring a packed lunch.

Pub at the end is: The Star Inn, Church Rd, Lingfield RH7 6AH

Travel: Take 9:50 from Victoria (9:57 Clapham Junction, 10:10 East Croydon), arr. 10:31 Oxted.

Buy return to Lingfield.

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: Lingfield
More info: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/oxted-lingfield-vanguard