5 turned out. The day was mild dry and mostly cloudy There was mud but not an insurmountable amount. The 5 stopped at the Sportsman. All tables were reserved , so just for a drink (though a kindly benefactor did provide crisps). Then a brisk walk to get the 15:16 with a brief stop at the Blue Ball en route. More drink consumed. Another grand day out

Yes.i turned up at ?Merstham to possibly do the walk to Epsom Downs but it was cold and miserable I fancy Ylang Ylang and Forest Fairy to win The Oaks Jane

Just wondering how the train strike will affect this walk and especially anyone going to Coulsdon afterwards and their journey home in the evening. I have no southwest trains to get home but if people can travel to Kingston then the 65 bus would take them to Richmond for the tube or Overground. Or a bus to Croydon could link to Canada Water and onward north and east if tubes and overground are running.

Hi Marion,

If you're worried about being in time for the last train from Tadworth/ Tattenham Corner you could do the walk in reverse and finish at Merstham. That way, if you miss the last train at Merstham, TFL bus 405 is a 20 minute journey to Coulsdon and Oyster cards are valid.

For travel from Coulsdon, I think the best information is at citymapper.co.uk as it takes into account all forms of transport that are running on the day.

The rail strike will affect this walk in the way specified in the walk post, which gives the last trains from Tattenham Corner and Tadworth.

As for getting back later from Coulsdon, that is beyond my remit as a walk poster, but various ideas have been discussed and will I am sure be shared among other participants at the event.

12 gathered on Merstham station and one joined us a little way into the walk, making 13 (lucky for some) on this walk, plus a well-behaved dog. The weather was showery . Not that much rain in total, I suppose, but some impressive clouds.

What to say? A nice walk up onto the Reigate and Colley Hill, with its magnificent view. The pub in Mogador was empty, though filled up later, so perhaps we were just early. Five or six of us ate. Others had sandwiches outside in the sun - I was a bit jealous, though Iater it rained (probably the heaviest of the day) and I was less jealous.

After lunch, flowery fields - except it was late August and most of the flowers were over. As a note to future walk posters it would be a lovely walk in July or early August.

After some inadvertent (but minor) deviations from the walk route, we got to Epsom Downs, where the view over London was enlivened by incredibly gloomy cloud, though we were in sun. Some of us had tea at the kiosk, one or two went to the pub. We were 25 minutes early for the 5pm train, but it was at the platform, so we sat on it chatting.

I'd forgotten how pleasant this walk was ... through Gatton Park and up to the Downs escarpment with its magnificent views to the south. The first day it truly felt like summer with plenty of wooded areas and hedge lined paths providing an interlude from the direct sun. A cooling breeze oop top helped keep the heat bearable The morning's cloudless sky was later replaced with a few white fluffy clouds tempering the heat a little more.

Well done to Walker for selecting this walk and oh, the metrics, 7 gathered at the station and were joined by a SB walker (they were doing a walk later on from the same station) and a latecomer meant 9 and the weather? reet hot but with a cooling breeze

7.5 - 7 met at the station with one met us for lunch (hence the 0.5).

2 completed the official walk with the others heading to Tadworth after stopping at The Bell pub for a drink.

sunny clear skies with some afternoon clouds

2 of us at Merstham, will start walking, may see you at lunchtime in the pub.

Trains from London Bridge are delayed

Gabriella

Is anyone else in London Bridge station waiting to see if the 11 am train ( bye 11.12) will be stopping in Mertsham ?

Are you on a train Gabriella? We're not far from Merstham station, can wait if you're coming.

There's horse racing at Epsom Downs today (1st race 2.05, last 5.35). The public footpaths across the course are closed on Derby Day but might be kept open today between the races. Any feedback would be appreciated.

7 walkers cloudy at first then sunny later

Yes, the footpaths across the course were open between races (with marshals present on the gates). Our resident racing expert said this is the usual practice, possibly excepting Derby Day.

If The Sportsman is covid closed, The Blue Ball in Walton on the Hill (and on the route) may be open. Under new management these days after a long closure.

In the unlucky scenario where both 10.00 and 10.30 trains to Merstham fall victim to the pingdemic, one option would be to do the walk in reverse - trains are scheduled from London Bridge tomorrow to both Epsom and Tattenham Corner.

I'm planning to meet the group at Merstham rather than go into London Bridge so I will keep an eye on the walk comments for any updates.

The train was not cancelled and 20 gathered at the start of this walk. We set off at a brisk pace, leaving behind some newbies who had gone to the loo (sorry about that)

It was a bit rainy to start, but soon stopped. The M25 made its pleasing Niagara Falls sound. The tea kiosk on Reigate Hill was swiftly passed (though I later heard that two behind us stopped there for food). Everyone ignored the fine view from Colley Hill and hurried on to Mogador (take two, three times a day….)

A table for eight was secured in the cosy pub, while five sat at outside tables to have sandwiches. I hesitated between these two worlds, but in the end the lure of my Waitrose tuna and sweetcorn on granary proved irresistible. Halfway though lunch I noticed there was a tea kiosk, cunningly hid behind a tree, so I got a cup of tea from there. The newbies caught us up and had sandwiches.

I went into the pub to find eight dining there at a socially distanced table. The food looked very nice. Alarmingly all the talk was of Tadworth endings. I pleaded. I wept. I cajoled. Finally another proposed reversing the circular walk route to Tattenham Corner and this plan was adopted by us all.

This route proved very pretty - nicer, dare I say it?, than the main walk route. It did, however, bypass Walton, which is why we never picked up the two sandwichers who had stopped in the pub there to await us (sorry again: my bad, as the young say).

The sun came out in the afternoon , which was an unexpected treat. Not clear blue skies, but shafts of glorious gold. Quite a lift to the spirit.

At Tattenham Corner most went straight to the train even though it was only 3.15 and still sort-of sunny. Two of us carried on (via the tea hut in my case) to see the view from Epsom Downs and then walk down the pleasant lane to Epsom town. On the station, awaiting the 16.24 to London Bridge, we saw (but did not speak to) the three newbies, so at least five of us completed that route.

Oysterfares.com/fare-finder lists an Oyster off peak fare of £1.45 available from Coulsdon South to Merstham, which is about £1 less than the alternative paper ticket from Boundary Zone 6.

I *think* that to access the lower fare you'd need a standard oyster card (ie not 60+ or freedom card) which TFL have linked to your Railcard and obviously you'd need to touch in at Coulsdon South.

9 of us assembled outside Merstham railway station, later to be joined by a local SWC walker on top of Reigate Hill, then 2 others at lunchtime at the Sportsman's pub, making a total of 12.

The weather forecast was predicting rain in the afternoon, but once again we were lucky - it was mostly sunny with a light breeze and pleasantly warm , all day.

The countryside was green and lush with some good displays of late bluebells, lesser celandines, cowslips and cow parsley in the morning -and some wonderful carpets of buttercups covering horse paddocks in the afternoon. Arriving at the cafe on top of Reigate Hill, we stopped for elevenses whilst enjoying the panoramic, clear views from this viewing point. Onwards then over Colley Hill towards the musical accompaniment from the M25. On into Mogador where 4 of us dined at the Sportsman and the picnickers stopped for drinks. As it was warm enough to sit outdoors we released our indoors table (the pub looked fully booked indoors) and sat under a parasol in the pub's garden. Our food when it eventually arrived was very good, as was the Harvey's beer, and a very pleasant time was had by all. By the time we left the pub our picnickers were some twenty minutes ahead of us on the afternoon leg of today's walk. Of the 4 diners, 3 said goodbye to me at Walton-on-the-Hill as they were heading for Tadworth railway station. I met-up with the picnickers at the end of the long bridleway below Walton Downs and together we ascended the Downs and up onto the Racecourse. If it was going to rain today, it would have been now, on the most exposed part of today's walk, but the weather Gods remained kind to is. On top of the Downs 4 headed for Tattenham Corner railway station, leaving 4 of us to take the route down into Epsom town. Luckily for me no-one had a camera to hand to snap me being assisted/ yanked / forced over a fence at the end of the racecourse. Then down Chalk Lane, but we could not resist stopping at the Amato Grumpy Mole pub for refreshments and snacks, taken in the pub's lovely garden. It was a struggle forcing ourselves to leave this most comfortable spot, but leave we had to - so on through Rosebery Park into the centre of Epsom. We only had to wait three minutes before a fast Southern train took us back to London : I hope our fellow walkers travelling home from Tadworth and Tattenham Corner railway stations experienced similar excellent service.

A most enjoyable day out not far from London.

I forgot to mention we were honoured and privileged to have the walk author with us on this walk. Hence we wandered off piste less often than usual.........

Hi. Where is the cafe in Walton,please, as I have't noticed it before? I know the pub you mention, and The Rat, of course. Thank you.

It is mentioned in the walk directions. See “Tea” on the introduction page.

Thank you, Walker. Appreciated.

14 walkers, if I remember correctly on a mild dry day . A very pleasant walk, with fantastic views around Colley Hill. Fist Class food and service at The Sportsman, including Christmas crackers!

Will meet at Tattenham Corner station if that is ok, am bringing a friend,

thanks, Samantha

A downpour just before the start seemed to clear the air and 10 walkers enjoyed a dry and partly sunny day. As is usual these days the group split up in the afternoon, with some of the sandwichers setting off for the afternoon leg half an hour before the pub-lunchers. At least four of us explored the new Remembrance Trail in Langley Vale; something of a work-in-progress with a few broad grassy paths laid out but other sections a bit rough and ready. There were some interesting memorials and information panels and when it's finished I'll incorporate part of it into the walk route. We crossed Epsom Downs just in time to enjoy a colourful sunset and catch the 16:20 train.

Know this walk quite well. Cafe with outdoor seating and loos after one hour at beauty spot. Very good food in The Sportman pub at Mogador. Pub nearest to Tattenham Corner station is bland and best avoided. As advised by Walker, trot to the pubs near the racecourse entrance. Civilised.

The Oyster fares to Merstham were set by Southern and are bizarre. They're reasonable value from local Southern stations on the direct route from Victoria or London Bridge, but ridiculously expensive otherwise: eg. £2.70 off-peak from East Croydon but £6.80 from West Croydon! Anyway, check it out from your local station: https://www.oyster-rail.org.uk/fares-guide/oyster-fare-finder/ is a good site for this.

Anyone going for this walk this Saturday? Looks interesting!

Yes. Going. This one should be a hit. Should be largely firm under foot.

This is a not too demanding walk easily accessible from London, so I would expect a fairly good turnout. The weather could be a factor, but Saturday walkers tend to be a hardy lot and come regardless.

Thank you to Sean for the link to the oyster-rail.org site.

Sigh. Another soggy Saturday . The third (?) in a row, an unheard of run of bad luck for the SWC walks, especially when for the third (?) week running it followed a week of several sunny days.

True, it was reasonably light rain, but it certainly was not “patchy” (the forecast being wrong on this point for a second week running). But hey. Heigh-ho. Ho-hum. It was what it was.

19 turned out anyway and we had a pleasant day. One advantage of the rain was that it seem to drown out (geddit?) nearly all the motorway noise. The only time I was really aware of the M25 was when we crossed over it (on a bridge).

Nice views from the Downs, despite the mist. A nice lunch at the cosy Sportsman even though someone’s soup had to be sent back TWICE before it attained a proper temperature. Thanks as usual to our master negotiator for getting us ten places in this deservedly popular establishment. Nine had actually put their hands up at Merstham station when asked who wanted a pub lunch, but at least 13 eventually squeezed in. Pay attention at the back, eh?

After lunch there was some squidgyness. Not the ground, which was fairly firm, though not mud-free, but people sloping off to do shorter endings. But the bulk of the group persisted to Epsom Racecourse, where a rain-soaked vigil was held for Emily Davison (the Suffragette who threw herself under the King’s horse at the 1913) and some had tea and cakes from the nearby kiosk. Most then went straight to the station but four of us went to see the view from Epsom Downs (alas invisible in the murk), two of whom went to the station of that name, and two to The Rubbing House (a pub right on the finish line of the racecourse). The sign on the door said “Smart Casual Dress”. We walked in with muddy boots and trousers. But they served us.

Going.

n = 14

w = largely sunny

The group off the scheduled train met another four or so relaxing on Reigate Hill and enjoying the view, who had taken an earlier train. Good and varied fare for the three who dined in the garden of the extremely busy Sportman pub, where the bar staff were over-worked. Many also stopped at the characterful, The Rat, later. Dogs abounded, the belles of the ball being two rusty-coloured Siberian Huskies, closely followed by a pair of friendly Rough Collies. A delightful day with great scenery and fine company.

Suggested amendment to walk instructions early on (a few ladies said they had gone astray at this point in the past).

2/Gatton to Reigate Hill

Then change to:

200 metres along the tarmac road you come to a junction, with the modern chapel of the Royal Alexandra and Albert School (a state boarding school)on your right. Turn right and continue past a car park...

Thanks to Pete B for scheduling the walk.

Now I might do the walk on Sunday. But I can't Guarantee I will. Another thing. I can't seem to Download the directions the walk neither.

Marc: you don't download a separate file with these directions. Just go to the walk page and print it directly from your web browser.

8 on this hastily-arranged walk, plus three more who found their own way to the lunch pub and promptly disappeared again. The shady stretches were welcome on a hot and humid day. The Sportsman was as busy as expected and one walker's lunch arrived long after the rest, but otherwise they coped pretty well. At Epsom Downs we all succumbed to the lure of a Mr Whippy van selling chemicals-on-a-stick. My decision to stride off for the 16:29 train was grudgingly followed by the others but as we then discovered that the next train had been cancelled it turned out well.

26 plus two who got a later train and caught us at the lunch pub

strong low sun and a cold clear day

The frost under foot made for firm footing when we were not on tarmac paths so overall there was very little mud. Lovely views of the race track and hills and woods all emphasised by the low sun. We all got enchanted by the ice on the Mere Pond ( and the dog that went in and broke the ice )

Lunch at The Sportsman in Mogador was excellent with a large varied selection at reasonable prices and the limited staff coped with us and another large group very well.

We didn't get round to seeing the plaque for Emily Davison at Tattenham Corner so I will keep an eye for it next time

Tea and desert at Tattenham Corner ( the real reason I missed the Emily Davison plaque ) was a nice finish 200 metres from the train home.

Though it was graded a 1 out of 10 I still felt tired b the time that I got to the train

A King

First walk with the group, many thanks for the welcome. Looking forward to the next walk. BTW who arranges the walks? Paul

My first walk with the group, many thanks for the welcome. Looking forward to the next! Paul (harry)