The delayed train is not stopping at Dormans or Lingfield so I plan to get out at Oxted.

Catching the next train from Oxted arriving Dormans 11.46

The posted train was delayed due to signal problems and became a fast train after Oxted where 2 disembarked and waited for the next train which was not far behind. Two others were on this train having been delayed by problems on the Victoria line so a total of 4 alighted at Dormans in sunshine later covered by cloud .The morning section of this walk is very pleasant and undemanding. There are still bluebells in the woods but the most striking display was of wild garlic, swathes of it in all directions. There was very little mud in the morning but in the afternoon there were some squelchy fields and muddy paths. We did a wide diversion to avoid an enclosed narrow waterlogged path avoiding wet feet but still picking up mud.

One had lunch at the Star and finished the walk there, three visited the church and picnicked on benches outside it. There was time for a quick drink at the Star before catching the 17.19 train back to London.

If you're looking for the walk directions, this is SWC.329. I'm sure someone can stick the link in the Tag box.

link has been added

10 and a dog turned out despite the pessimistic weather forecast. In fact the day was mainly dry ,-still-and-cloudy. The morning section of the walk was pleasant and varied with some woodland where birds could be heard chattering overhead. Three had lunch at the Star pub in Lingfield and were very positive about the fast service, choice and quality of the food. Picnickers trying to get away from the very noisy pruning of trees in the churchyard were drawn into a room at the back of the church by a sign for coffee. There was no coffee but a cosy space with two tables and several chairs where we sat to eat our sandwiches. We also used the toilet facilities. Thanks to the church members who provide this space. One carried on from the church while others went to collect the pub lunchers. The Star was very cosy inside with an open fire. The three diners had finished their food so we didn't linger though it was tempting. Two decided to go straight to the station from the pub, the others did the afternoon loop which was mainly through fields and might be more interesting when the hedges come to life.. One peeled off early to walk to Godstone, everyone else got back to Lingfield in time for the 15.13 train.

5 off the train at Lingfield set off in mild blustery overcast conditions along a tree lined path parallel to the railway line encountering fallen trees with just enough space to crawl under and keeping our balance on ground which was mainly firm under foot with just the occasional muddy stretch we passed Wilderness lake which looked like a resevoir full to the brim threatening the slight bridge we crossed between it and an overflow outlet and another gully with a walking post lying smashed in it and on we went over good sporadically muddy paths to the slippery greens of the golf course and the firm wide path alongside the racecourse taking us into Lingfield where the Star pub could not accommodate anyone due to a very large booking but the church offered sanctuary and a bench where three had a picnic while two went in search of sustenance elsewhere ending up in a very hospitable Indian restaurant called Tarana which allowed them to have starters and which they would recommend to others passing through Lingfield in future after which they caught the 15.19/16.19? train along with two of the picnic people who had carried on with the walk until notified by the third picnic person who had skived off on the 13.49 that trains would be slowing down after 3pm due to strong winds meaning no one did the full walk though all enjoyed what they did with group cohesion being fluid and the company very pleasant

Hi Wanderer,

Just to say that two of us did manage to do the full, "main" walk and we got back to Lingfield station in time for the 15.19.

It was a lovely walk. Thank you for posting it.

Thanks Daisy Roots - I underestimated your pace. It's good to know that the afternoon section was enjoyable too.

I've just belatedly read Wanderer's walk report - and I'm trying to catch my breath. A whole 9 lines of report in one elongated sentence without a full stop ! I'm obviously getting too old for this modern walk malarkey.........

I’ve heard about this phenomenon but never seen it quite so graphically illustrated!! Is this what predictive text allows?

Proust's longest sentence was 958 words apparently, but did include commas and semicolons.

10 walkers on a warm sunny day. As is fairly normal on a Sunday only two wanted a pub lunch, prompting the thought that we should ignore the lunch options and just post walks with a suitable space for people to eat their sandwiches, at least on Sundays. Two others drifted into The Star afterwards so four set off together for the afternoon, but by then the rest had all done their own thing: at least one had gone straight to the station; another had gone off to sunbathe au naturel; and two following the route on a gizmo were later discovered doing the afternoon loop in the reverse direction, a not uncommon occurrence.

At the Community Orchard the four laggards discovered that the low-hanging fruit had all been snaffled, but vigorously attacked the trees with sticks and collected a fair haul of pears and other goodies. Google was consulted about medlars but the answer ("not to everyone's taste") persuaded us to move on. Returning to Lingfield we were irritated to find that the preferred tearoom no longer deigns to open on Sundays, but somewhat mollified by cold drinks from the local Co-op.

PS. There was some understandable grumbling from those with bulging rucksacks about having to cart their plunder around for a couple of hours, so the author has now graciously tweaked the route to visit the orchard near the end of the walk.

That author is a lovely chap

Six walkers at the station, the walks author soon catching us up and another regular walker, donning a new beard, who nobody recognised at first, meant there were 8 of us in total. The weather was windy with light showers that did take a little bit of pleasure out of the day. However, if you like flat walks and wait to the Spring when the muds dried out, it would make a nice outing for those of you who don't like your walks too strenuous. History buffs will also be interested in a beautiful set of old houses just before entering the church, the church itself - with its impressive array of brasses, a very old library (1340ish), and last but not least a very fine example of a village cell/gaol.