Walks you can reach from Purley by train
Stations: Purley · Purley Oaks
MapA day hike is just a simple train journey away — plan your next day of green.
St Albans Circular via Ruins of Gorhambury House (Hertfordshire)
1 hour direct from Purley.
Recommended
St Albans Cathedral (30m in)
Verulamium Roman City Walls (45m in)
Ruins of Gorhambury House (2h in)
St Albans (2h in)
Time: 5h30 (4h walking, 1h30 lunch)
1 lunch spot: Ye Olde Fighting Cocks (30m in)
6 end-of-walk rewards: the Six Bells, the Lower Red Lion, the Snug, the Boot, the Mad Squirrel Tap, or the Peahen
Warnings: A third urban.
Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).
Harpenden to St Albans (Hertfordshire)
1 hour direct from Purley.
Recommended: Mostly fields and country lanes. Some beautiful new bluebell woods, stunning historic city streeets, commons, golf courses and parkland.
Heartwood Forest (1h30 in)
St Albans Cathedral (4h in)
St Albans (3h30 in)
Time: 6h (4h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
4 lunch spots: Sandridge (2h in) — the Green Man (excellent; reservations recommended), Heartwood Tea Rooms (busy!), the Rose & Crown, or the Queens Head (not great)
5 end-of-walk rewards: the Lower Red Lion, the Mad Squirrel Tap, the Peahen, the Snug, or the Boot
Best months: in April (bluebell season).
Warnings: A quarter urban.
Source: Trains2Green.
Similar walks: the Saturday Walkers Club and Slow Ways (inc. GPX).
East Croydon to Oxted (Surrey)
5 minutes direct from Purley.
First stage of the Vanguard Way, from suburban East Croydon out through Selsdon Wood and the North Downs to Oxted.
Woodland: a third under tree cover.
Time: 7h30 (5h30 walking, 1h30 lunch, 30m break)
Walk details: Walking Post (tips, photos and local insights).
Earlswood to Oxted (Surrey)
15 minutes direct from Purley.
Gentle greensand ridge, pasture, arable fields, woodland, bluebell woods, escarpment views and low-lying meadows.
Time: 5h30 (4h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Kingswood to Box Hill & Westhumble (Surrey)
15 minutes direct from Purley.
National Trust heathland, a famous view and stepping stones; Headley Heath up to the top of Box Hill.
Woodland: half under tree cover.
Headley Heath: National Trust heathland on the North Downs near Box Hill.
Box Hill: A chalk hill with commanding views over Surrey and the South Downs.
Time: 5h (3h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: 275 steps down from Box Hill; can be muddy and busy near the stepping stones.
Walk details: Walking Post (tips, photos and local insights).
Box Hill & Westhumble to Merstham (Surrey)
9 minutes direct from Purley.
North Downs ridge, wooded escarpment, open hilltops, undulating ridge paths, rural farmland, parkland and golf course.
Time: 5h30 (4h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Hilly, multiple ascents.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Coulsdon Circular via Happy Valley (Surrey)
3 minutes direct from Purley.
Happy Valley chalk grassland known for rare orchids and butterflies, woodland trails and part of the London LOOP.
Happy Valley: Scenic dry chalk valley rich in wildflowers and butterflies.
Time: 4h (2h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
Walk details: Surrey Hills National Landscape (turn-by-turn directions).
Whyteleafe Circular via Ss Peter and Paul, Chaldon (Surrey)
7 minutes direct from Purley.
Chalk downland, commons, airfield perimeter, wooded valleys, meadows and restored grassland on the London/Surrey border.
Time: 5h30 (4h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Merstham Circular via Shabden Park (Surrey)
9 minutes direct from Purley.
Chalk grassland, rolling farmland and woodland through Shabden Park Farm, with sweeping views of the North Downs.
Shabden Park: A farm and parkland on the North Downs noted for wildflowers and butterflies.
Time: 5h (3h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
Walk details: Surrey Hills National Landscape (turn-by-turn directions).
Redhill Circular via Quarry Hanger Nature Reserve (Surrey)
9 minutes direct from Purley.
Nature reserves, wetland lakes, restored sand quarries, Greensand Ridge, farm fields, wooded commons, suburban streets and pedestrianised town centre.
Time: 6h30 (5h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Chipstead Circular via Banstead Woods (Surrey)
15 minutes direct from Purley.
Chalk grassland, ancient woodland and open farmland through Banstead Woods and Shabden Park, with gentle climbs and seasonal wildflowers.
Banstead Woods: Ancient woodland and chalk grassland rich in wildlife near Chipstead.
Shabden Park: A farm and parkland on the North Downs noted for wildflowers and butterflies.
Time: 3h30 (2h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Walk details: Surrey Hills National Landscape (turn-by-turn directions).
Tadworth Circular via Headley Heath and Box Hill (Surrey)
15 minutes direct from Purley.
Open chalk downland, heathland, mixed woodland, forested hills, escarpment edges and quiet lanes.
Time: 6h30 (5h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Easy to disorientate.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).