This walk will form part of COPSE’s 90th anniversary Challenge, overall visiting, appropriately enough, a total of 90 of Croydon’s green spaces. On this occasion we’ll focus on those in the Lower Central parts of the Borough.

Full details of the Challenge are at the bottom of this page.

You don’t have to take on the Challenge though, you can just come along and enjoy the walk.

Take your pick of the joining options below: you can opt for the whole day or any part of the walk.

The Full Day

The full route is 15 miles but there are options to join for part of the walk at mid-morning, early lunch and late lunch, and of course many opportunities near public transport to leave before the end. The route takes in unusual woods and parks in undulating countryside on the fringes and midsection of Croydon – from Addington to Purley via Selsdon.

An indicative sketch map is below but note there are two further green spaces not shown which will take the total in this walk to 30.

The Morning Section

MEET 9am EAST CROYDON tramstop (15 miles to end):

We start walking from a bus stop in New Addington/Field Way.  But we meet at East Croydon tramstop at 9am to catch the tram to Addington Village.  If the bus timings appear suitable we will transfer at the Addington Village interchange to a bus.  (But if my travel app advises a long wait, we may continue by tram to Field Way tramstop and walk from there.)  You could intercept us at Addington Village or tramstops on the way – just contact me to check our whereabouts.   Expect to start walking at 9.30am.

Mid-Morning Joining Option

(11.4 miles to end):

After circling New Addington we make a jaunt by tram from Kings Henry’s Drive tramstop to Coombe Lane tramstop and continue walking from there.   YOU COULD JOIN THE WALK AT COOMBE LANE tramstop – approx. time there 11.15 – please phone me to check.  You can thereby cut out 3.75 miles but miss some great scenery (yes there is some!) at New Addington.

Another Intermediate Point Early Lunchtime

(9.5 miles to end):

We reach Selsdon and the SIR JULIAN HUXLEY WETHERSPOON pub at approx.  12.00 to 12.30 and depart there approx. 13.00.   Other cafes nearby are available.   Call me to check our timings.

Late Lunch Joining Option

(6 miles to end):

We reach Sanderstead pond and the adjoining parade of shops (Limpsfield Road) approx. 14.45 to 15.15.  Phone me to check timings.  There is a “Filtr”  café of which we may well avail ourselves.

Ending

We END at Purley Rotary Field (Brighton Road, town centre, Purley).  We may well fall into the Jolly Farmers pub at Purley Cross to revive ourselves.  Approx 6.30pm I estimate.   From Purley there are of course buses and trains to the rest of the world.

Bring

Suitable attire / footwear and sun protection, food / snacks / drink etc.   We should be able to buy refreshments at the Wetherspoon pub at Selsdon (early lunch, “Sir Julian  Huxley”) and at a café on Sanderstead (Limpsfield Road) parade.  But bring sustenance to keep you going just in case.   And bring a suitable pass for tram and bus travel.

So What’s this Challenge?

Over four three walks we will visit 90 green spaces.  Visit between 30 and 90 spaces and you will receive an award – bronze, silver, or gold for the full 90!  And you will have your achievements recognised at the “NOW 90!” Birthday event on Saturday 14 September.

What, Croydon has 90 green spaces? Yep, in fact 120 according to this map. Click it for full revelation!

What sort of walks?

Each complete walk will be around 15 miles.  As they are local and near public transport, it will be possible to join for part of the walk either at predetermined points or by arrangement.  Clock up as many green spaces as you can while enjoying Croydon’s outstanding open spaces and landscape.

Routes will include streets, parks, footpaths and lanes.  Good walking shoes should be adequate.  To be eligible to receive an award there will be a small administration fee of £1.

When are they?

Currently the four five six walks’ dates are:

1. Sunday 14 July: North
2. Sunday 11 August: Upper Centre
3. Wednesday 21 August: repeat of North
4. Monday 26 August (bank holiday): Lower Centre
5. Sunday 1 September: repeat of Upper Centre
6. Thursday 5 September: repeat of Lower Centre

So how do I start?

Just turn up to any of the walks!

Any questions / more information please contact me.

Andrew Thynne

07985 936953