Walks from Riddlesdown
MapBeautiful walks starting or ending at Riddlesdown Station.
Alternatively, view walks you can reach directly from Riddlesdown by train.
Riddlesdown to Coulsdon South
Chalk grassland and downland through the South London Downs National Nature Reserve, with wildflowers, rare orchids and sweeping views toward London and Surrey.
Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.
Riddlesdown Common: Open chalk downland common managed by the City of London Corporation.
Riddlesdown Quarry: Disused 17th-century chalk quarry, now a wildlife haven.
Kenley Airfield: Former RAF station and key Battle of Britain fighter base, now a scheduled monument.
Kenley Common: Open common bordering the former airfield.
Coulsdon Common: Chalk grassland common.
Happy Valley: Scenic dry chalk valley rich in wildflowers and butterflies.
Devilsden Wood: Ancient woodland on the side of Happy Valley.
Farthing Downs: Open chalk downland with views over the North Downs.
Time: 3h–6h30
2 lunch spots: the Wattenden Arms, or the Fox
Warnings: Steep stepped descent to Whyteleafe and a sharp incline up to Kenley Airfield; railway footbridge at Stumps Lane is tucked behind a garage off the A22.
Walk details: Walking Post (tips, photos and local insights).
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Hurst Green to Riddlesdown
Heathland common, golf courses, farmland, North Downs escarpment, open downland, woodland strips and views across the High Weald and South Downs.
Time: 5h30
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Riddlesdown to Kingswood
Ancient commons, open grazing land, bluebell woods, chalk downland and extended after-lunch route to Kingswood.
Source: A longer variant of Riddlesdown to Coulsdon South – the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).