Thanks to branchline for posting this walk, at the best time of year for it. There are indeed good showings of bluebells in all the woods, and you won't be troubled by mud. However, the wood anemones in the northern part of Selsdon Wood are all but over, so you wouldn't miss much by taking the suggested short cut in para 14f. Or for a different short cut you could take the alternative route in para 15, since Puplet Wood also has plenty of bluebells.

I can concur about the wood anemones: they are all gone now. Frith Wood has been good for bluebells in the past, however, and a short detour into it would be worth the effort.

I was going to say 19 on this walk - 8 on the London Bridge train, 11 on the Victoria. But late in the day I heard of two others who claimed to have done the walk unseen by anyone I was with. So 21. Maybe also others.

The 8 and 11 met up on neutral ground near the two stations and formed a reasonably coherent group until we got to the woods, where among other things the walk author led some of us off route to take in extra bluebells. There were certainly lots of them. Maybe not full out, if one wants to be extra picky, but certainly out in force widely.

Once in Selsdon Wood all sorts of short cuts and variant routes were followed, causing the group to fragment further. A plan I had to divert the group I was with into Frith Wood for more of the blue things fell apart when the sun came out. It was so nice in it that most of us stayed on the track alongside the golf course. Some gorgeous displays of cowslips on the latter.

In general it was fairly cloudy with some sun . When the latter was out, you could fool yourself that spring was here. Under the cloud it felt distinctly chilly. This meant romantic ideas of eating lunch in the garden had to be abandoned by the pub lunchers. Instead some 10-12 ate on two tables inside. Nice food once we worked out how to get the meat off the skewers.

Everyone left lunch at different times, so the group was now even more fragmented, not to say splintered. Despite dawdling over our meal, my mini sub-group got to the park at 4.40pm to find the cafe still open. Greater joy hath no man than an unexpected Bakewell tart and mug of tea. Two of us then went to the Whtyleafe Arms, a knowingly retro recreation of a blokey 1970s boozer. Still it knows its clientele, as it was pretty busy.

I made it 22 including a local resident. A sizeable number (8) ended the day in the Radius Arms. A staggering array (no pun intended) of beers and ciders , some quite strong. And if you’re not sure if you want a pint or a half, they will sell you a two thirds.

4 of us left Upper Warlingham station, and only 3,as far as I know returned. It was good to get out on a drizzly day. There ought to be a score out of 10,slightly higher than the 4 out of ten, when the mud intervenes.

It was an enjoyable walk though. 2 had a pub lunch in the Harrow by Farleigh Green. I can't remember going there before. The calamari I had, which was a starter was pretty good value, quite a lot and enjoyable. I had a cappochino to go with it, as I don't drink alcohol on the 2nd Sunday in December.

I left the walk at Sanderstead and caught the 403 bus to catch some jazz in the Oval pub jazz venue in East Croydon, as it seemed an opportunity not to be missed.

4 drizzly

An optional extension at the end of the walk, would be to carry on after tea in Whyteleafe/Upper Warlingham across Riddlesdown to the station there.

8 and a dog left the station, soon to be joined by a 9th. Off they went up the big hill with Mr Tiger leading the way. It was cloudy and chilly No-one got lost, not with the walk”s author in attendance, watching out for every foot put wrong. At the Harrow, there was discussion whether to have lunch there or go on to the Bull. Then we saw them. A monstrous phalanx of rival walkers coming our way fast!!! Panic ensued and we dived into the Harrow before it was too late. Here a 10 th walker, a newbie, caught us up from a later train. Most people had food. As usual, Mr Tiger just had cider. But he was fed chips and chocolate by a succession of kindly benefactors.

After lunch it was more of the same. Fields woods, more fields. A buzzard circled overhead expectantly but it was to be disappointed. By now, poor Mr Tiger was faltering. Perhaps weighed down by all the chips, he lost sight of the others near Sanderstead and never saw them again. Don‘t worry readers, he reached Whyteleafe OK, thanks for asking. There, a quick visit to the Radius Arms where he consoled himself with a pint of porter before heading home.

15 at Upper Warlingham. 2 from Whyteleafe, 2 late starters and 1 walk author makes 20

A sunny day. An enjoyable day but not without issues.The big one being the tangled web of options.

Early on a sizeable party failed to turn right in Kings Wood and continued all the way through despite some protestations. We were following the GPS route right? So we couldn't be wrong, right? Except we were wrong, we were following the GPS for another loop. Luckily someone texted us or we'd have reached the station a bit early. Not my fault you understand, I was merely following the others.Their fault.

We got back on track and somehow reached the pub before most of the others. How I'll never know. They should do a programme on telly.

This was partly explained by the sudden appearance by the walks author who knew a quick way. Not THE quickest way but a way. And partly by the others going adrift in Selsdon Wood.

Lunch in the Harrow was OK I guess. Friendly enough. People seemed to like what they got and Iwas fed chips by a kindly benefactor. Some went on to the Bull.

The group split after lunch, some opting for the long way back and some the shorter. I took the shorter and was soon left to my own devices. Or device, which I mainly followed. This seemed to differ slightly from the written word. I hate to use the L-word as you know, but I wasn't, anyway. Another trip along Riddlesdown and down the big steps into Whyteleafe.

A visit to the tiny Radius Arms rounded things off nicely.

Hi. Estimated mud level on this one, please. Thanks.

It's winter and it's been raining. Mudlarks will not be disappointed. But not quite as gloopy as Wealden mud.

17, Dry and sunny except for short hail shower . Mud was not too bad on the chalk downland but there were some patches in the woods. A small group could not resist the nearness to the lunch pub and cut off 4km of Selsdon woods (Bluebells in Spring nothing in Winter). The author and principal walk inspector had not anticipated this and was a little late joining us for lunch. The Harrow welcomes muddy boots and paws and provided good food and efficient service. Having got ahead, the same group gorged themselves on cream teas at Knight's garden centre. Those who did the proper walk seemed to manage without stopping for lunch or tea.

I can confirm Chris L's rather gloomy prognosis about the woodland flowers on this walk: the wood anemones are just past their best and the bluebells won't be fully out for another week or two. But look out for some unusual violet-coloured wood sorrel in Ledgers Wood.

Interested in coming! Do you think there will be room in the pubs (Easter Sunday) or do you recommend bringing packed lunches?

Hard to say, Celine. The Harrow Inn is not the sort of pub to turn people away and I've seen it cope with lots of people eating on the outside tables when it's warm enough, but if it's very busy it may take a long time to get served. The later lunch pub (now The Bull Colosseum) has changed hands again and I haven't tried it in its latest guise of an Italian restaurant.

Judging by the Sunday walk reports there are always some who go for a pub lunch and others who bring sandwiches, so you'll have company whatever you decide to do.

17 (including a fleeting visit from the walk's author). A sizeable proportion took the long walk. Lunch at the Harrow. Fast service, food well received. Bluebells were mostly still greenbells, though Kings Wood put on a good show. As did the stitchwort, dandelions, buttercups and some of the trees. Some unusual violet wood sorrel in Ledger Wood. Some walkers went to the Dene for tea. Some didn’t. cloudy some sun no rain cool wind