London Loop

Stage 1: Erith to Bexley: 15 March 2018

South Bank Ramblers, 9 miles.

THREE RIVERS (LONDON LOOP 1) – SE LONDON (LINEAR)
Starts at 10:30: Erith Station – Zone 6 [Map:E162] (DA8 1TY, TQ511780)
Joining the Thames by Erith Pier, we follow the Darent and Cray rivers. Possible dropout at Crayford. Lunch: Selection of pubs, cafés & picnic places at Crayford Waterside

Train from Maze Hill

From station, join Thames Path. I chose high tide. Toilets at Morrison’s a few minutes away. Alternative, walk out to deep water pier. Darent and Cray rivers tidal. Jolly Farmers pub, by main road crossing, no longer exists. Lunch at Crayford, variety of cafes, pubs, shops, benches on green for picnic. Possible detour to Hall Place, house/garden centre/butterflies – but it’s a bit close to the end.

Return by train, or 472 bus takes me home.

NB. I am now committed to regular surveys of this stretch, including suggested corrections to the online description, and to the waymarking. The latter requires contact with the landowners.

The Cray path downstream of the main road is maintained by Ian Jackson et al working with Sustrans. Dan and I joined a working party in December, but gave up at lunchtime. Perhaps when the weather improves …

Stage 2: Bexley to Petts Wood, 11 January 2018

South Bank Ramblers, 8 miles

CRAY WANDERERS & A MOATED MANOR – SOUTH EAST LONDON
Starts at 10:15: Bexley Station – zone6 [Map:E162] (DA5 1AQ, TQ493734)
Following the London Loop along the Cray Valley from Bexley, passing the ground of one of the first football clubs in the country, and continuing through woodlands to Petts Wood.
Lunch: Picnic/Pub at Sidcup Place.

Track from station to pleasant path across former landfill site, then bridge over Cray. Water meadows, lots of dogs. Pub at Sidcup Place closed for refurbishment, used Morrison’s across the green.

Past hospital, through underpasses, to woodland. Pass moated manor. The route seems to have been changed, and the driveway to the Chislehurst road is marked as private (though dogwalkers use it), so we cut through the woodland emerging where the drive comes out. More woods across the road, dog jumped up at us. Long muddy path along railway line, then three railway bridges, the last of which was closed on my initial recce but reopened by the time of the walk.

Stage 3: Petts Wood to Hayes, 21 November 2018

South Bank Ramblers, 10 miles

LONDON LOOP 3: VIA WILBERFORCE OAK – SE LONDON
The remains of the oak tree where William Wilberforce discussed the abolition of slavery with Prime Minister William Pitt is the high point of this walk in more ways than one.
Lunch: Keston Common – two pubs, cafe, or picnic.

Alternate bits of woodland and suburbia. If we had been a bit later, could have used loos at pub in Woodman pub in Farnborough but not open till 12. So used the ones by the Fives Court in High Elms Country Park. There is also a cafe in the park, used on recce.

Ignored the suggestion about detouring off Bogey Lane, as got lost when I did this on recce. Mud not too bad. Steep climb up to Wilberforce Oak where group photo was taken. We could have had a picnic here, but I chose to go on to West Wickham Common, choice of pubs, cafe, picnic area. But so near the finishing point that 4 ramblers decided to press on.

Stage 4: Hayes to Riddlesdown, 27 February 2019

South Bank Ramblers 11 miles (actually 12.5 after taking wrong turning)

SAXON CHURCHGOERS & ANCIENT FROTHBLOWERS – LONDON LOOP 4
The morning’s walk takes us along a grassy church path which may go back to Saxon times, and through woodlands where we shall find out about the Ancient Order of Frothblowers. The afternoon’s walk is more energetic. With some steep ups and downs.
Lunch: Pub lunch at The Surprise, Upper Shirley, or picnic

34 ramblers. A lovely day for a walk. I had nothing over my T-shirt, just an anorak in my bag in case of rain.

After walking it incorrectly three times, I think I now know the way across Shirley Heath! Could do with a signpost across the open heathland, there are so many tussocks that the description is not enough.

Lunch at The Surprise, Upper Shirley, where we were allowed to eat our own food in the garden. Since we filled it, I ate a bought sandwich inside – food and drink for £8.10, quick service, jazz, and away well within the hour.

Good view from Addington Hill, might have been a better spot for a photo.

Coming out of Pulpit Wood to Farleigh Court Golf Club, I missed the fact (clear in the book) that the Loop and Vanguard Way diverge here. Only on joining a road was I certain that we were on the wrong path. Photostop, and after help from two people with maps on phones, we managed to get to Elms Farm without retracing steps, but now running late. Reached Hamsey Green at 4, and about ten people opted to take the bus into Croydon, as suggested in the guide book, while the rest walked another 45-50 minutes to Riddlesdown Station – follow the Loop ahead until it turns L, then keep as near straight on as possible to a housing estate, R at T-junction, descend to cross road by St Edmund’s Church and take the road opposite, Lower Barn Road, to the station.

Stage 5: Riddlesdown to Banstead, May 2019

I recced the walk in two parts, not wanting to cross golf course at dusk.

Go L out of the station , L at T, and up to Riddlesdown Road entering the Down. Cross diagonally to join Loop and descend to busy valley, up the other side, and through woodland. Crossed road by Fox Inn, too early to stop for lunch but took a drinks stop anyway, and found way along/acrossHappy Valley to have a picnic on Farthing Downs.

Second part: through Coulsdon, where some dropped out, passing a closed pub (Jack and Jill) on the way out. Crossed a lavender field and entered the Oaks country park, where a toilet stop became an ice cream/coffee stop. Fairly straightforward, with a bit of guesswork over the golf course.

Stage 6: Banstead to Kingston, July 2019

After the golf course, suburban roads to the other side of East Ewell where we get into Nonsuch Park. Did not detour to cafe/toilets. Only visible remains of the Tudor palace are walls around banqueting hall. Beyond Ewell, find the Hogsmill River which we mostly follow to the Thames.

Lunch stop at Hogsmill Tavern, a Toby Carvery – good value for money and they do snacks. No picnic site apart from the garden.

The Hogsmill section was featured on the Radio 4 Ramblings series.

Stage 7: Kingston to Hatton Cross, Autumn 2019

Almost entirely flat. After a cafe in Woodland Gardens, Bushey Park, no pubs (apart from The Roebuck on A313 in Teddington which does not appear to serve food), cafes or loos. However, it is worth turning L on the far side of 3 and continuing to junction with A311, as there are pedestrian lights there to cross the latter road.

Lunch stop by the Shot Tower on the River Crane (open as information centre but only Sunday afternoons). Only 8 walkers, 7 of us sat on old millwheel, the other on a bench.

Groceries on a road stretch just before Hounslow Heath.

In the recce, I missed the turning L across the heath (no waymark so you have to look out for the lonely bench), but refound the loop with help of a couple of locals with map, phone and local knowledge. Quite muddy by the river here.

Stage 8a: Hatton Cross to West Drayton, Jan 15, 2020

Shortened this stage to 7 miles because of short winter days and a relatively late start (11.00).

The Crane had overflowed its banks and the footpath was flooded, so we had to go round by road.. Otherwise the going was reasonable; I had feared ice on the towpath, but the weather was mild.

A late toilet/lunch stop at a golf club, and an early arrival at West Drayton.

Stage 9a: West Drayton to Harefields, March 3, 2020

9.56 (Didcot Parkway) train from Paddington. Canals and rivers. Lunch stop in Uxbridge – check picnic possibilities on towpath near pub.

Leave the Colne Valley trail by the Coi Carp pub, and continue uphill to Harefields West bus stop. Bus goes to the hospital before turning back towards Uxbridge.

Stage 10a: Harefields to Hatch End, Autumn 2020?

On the recce, left home at 9.00 and arrived Uxbridge at 10.25, in good time for the U9 bus at 10.33, from stop L just outside the station (turn right on passing through the exit gates. The bus duly arrived at Harefields West stop at 10.52.

About 9 miles to Hatch End, or about 12-13 to Stanmore?

Field and woodland paths, muddy in places.

Passed Ye Olde Green Man at 12.35 but did not go in. Possible lunch stop. An hour later, at road junction, came to a garage with toilets in a Spar/Greggs shop, where I bought a pasty which I ate on the recreation ground on the hill.

Pleasant but muddy path through Oxhey Wood. The field path to Pinnerwood Farm was extremely muddy – in fact, so was the whole field – and a farm worker said I had got off lightly not being completely stuck in the mud. After that, I decided not to take the next field path, but continue through the houses (roads and paths) to Hatch End and get the train back.

This walk was cancelled because of Covid-19 restrictions. When it was possible to resume walks, the Loop was completed as follows:
Uxbridge to Moor Park
Moor Park to Elstree
Elstree to Cockfosters
Cockfosters to Enfield Lock, August 2021
Enfield Lock – Chingford – Chigwell, September 2021
Chigwell to Harold Wood, October 2021
Harold Wood to Rainham, November 2021
Rainham to Purfleet, December 2021