Walks you can reach from Purley by train

Recommended

St Albans Cathedral

Verulamium Roman City Walls

Ruins of Gorhambury House

St Albans

Time: 4h–8h

1 lunch spot: Ye Olde Fighting Cocks (30m–1h 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).

Recommended: Mostly fields and country lanes. Some beautiful new bluebell woods, stunning historic city streeets, commons, golf courses and parkland.

Heartwood Forest

St Albans Cathedral

St Albans

Time: 4h30–9h

4 lunch spots: Sandridge (2h–4h 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).

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: 5h30–11h

Walk details: Walking Post (tips, photos and local insights).

Gentle greensand ridge, pasture, arable fields, woodland, bluebell woods, escarpment views and low-lying meadows.

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

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: 3h30–7h30

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).

North Downs ridge, wooded escarpment, open hilltops, undulating ridge paths, rural farmland, parkland and golf course.

Warnings: Hilly, multiple ascents.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

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.

Walk details: Surrey Hills National Landscape (turn-by-turn directions).

Chalk downland, commons, airfield perimeter, wooded valleys, meadows and restored grassland on the London/Surrey border.

Time: 4h

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

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.

Walk details: Surrey Hills National Landscape (turn-by-turn directions).

Nature reserves, wetland lakes, restored sand quarries, Greensand Ridge, farm fields, wooded commons, suburban streets and pedestrianised town centre.

Time: 5h

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

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.

Walk details: Surrey Hills National Landscape (turn-by-turn directions).

Open chalk downland, heathland, mixed woodland, forested hills, escarpment edges and quiet lanes.

Warnings: Easy to disorientate.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).