Best walks to or from Coulsdon Town

Coulsdon Town Station to Caterham Station

glorious in the sunshine. A good countryside walk across Farthing Downs and Happy Valley on easy but sometimes narrow, rough paths, with a steep hill on the road into Caterham. Can be a bit muddy in places and with several gates and steps; some paths shared with horses. Briefly joins the London LOOP into Happy Valley, and follows the Farthing Downs Tree Belt. Toilets at Coulsdon (outside Aldi and in the supermarket) and at Caterham; also at the top of Farthing Down slightly off route.

Easy: 8km, moderate ascents.

The last mile into Caterham is up a steep, fairly busy road, though the pavement is wide. There are kissing gates.

Lunch stop: the Fox.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Sutton Station to Coulsdon Town Station

A lovely, direct route mixing quiet roads, a section of the London Loop, a bridle path and firm earth paths shared with horses through Oaks Park. The last mile or so is fairly steep downhill and with quite a lot of pleasant pavement walking; impressive views on a clear day. Part of the route follows the London Loop. Passes the well-known lavender fields at Mayfield. Cafe and toilets near the south entrance to Oaks Park.

Easy: 7km, moderate ascents.

Crossing Croydon Lane at the lavender fields as drawn is at a dangerous spot with non-stop traffic; use the pedestrian crossing nearby instead.

Lunch: Cafe at Oaks Park, food shops at Coulsdon and a free toilet outside Aldi.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Coulsdon Town Station to Kenley Station

A largely off-road, very green and indirect route alternating between woodlands on the steeper valley sides and well-to-do residential roads, crossing a golf course on grass. There is a long steep section at a wood called Colescroft with a couple of dozen concrete steps (the steepest on any Slow Way), Foxley Road has a few muddy bits; surfaces are otherwise earth and tarmac or paving slabs. In Wood, between Old Lodge Lane and the golf course, is partly ancient woodland with old yew, wild damson and crab apple, possibly with a spring bluebell display, and is being considered as an addition to the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Tough: steep ascents. 5km.

A very steep flight of concrete steps at Colescroft, with loose polished gravel on some steps. At least one stile at the golf course. Foxley Road can be muddy in winter. A slight detour may be required for a fallen tree obstructing a narrow path.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Coulsdon Town Station to Purley Station

A good off-the-main-road urban walk through residential streets between Coulsdon and Purley, on all paved surfaces and quite firm underfoot and but fairly hilly with steep ups and downs. Several footpaths between houses are easy to miss without a map; roads are not busy.

Tough: steep ascents. 3km.

Lunch: There is a Tesco Extra in Purley after the railway bridge.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route