Rounds around Woldingham

Seven walkers left the White Lion in Warlingham on July 10 and crossed the Blanchman's Farm Nature Reserve, then turned onto the narrow footpath at the top of Bug Hill. The scenic route down a steep hill on to Woldingham Golf Course was hard going and indistinct through tall grass.

Idyllic landscape overlooking Woldingham golf course

Once on the smooth fairway, a short cut led down to the Woldingham Road and  then the road up the Marden Park valley. The group couldn't resist sampling the excellent tunnel acoustics  below the Oxted railway with a brief rendition of "My Lord".

We paused at the foot of the steep path towards Caterham to recall the moment when walk founder member Pete Gillman slipped in the mud and gashed his hand in January 2020 (only the second time in 12 years a choir walker sustained an injury requiring hospital care).

Scene of 2020 accident

This time we took the opposite path through  quaint Marden Park Farm and passed a flock of curious alpacas. Upon reaching Church Road, Dave the Navigator announced the half time stop was at the end of that road – failing to add  how far it was or that it was steadily uphill. The puffing group paused at the top to view the tiny ancient St Agatha's Church before collapsing into seats outside the bar of North Downs Golf Club and quaffing much-needed beer.

The first part of the return journey was down the road into Woldingham Village. As normal, we were saddened as we passed The Hop Pole, yet another closed down pub, and the only pub ever in Woldingham. As it had shut for good in 1884 none of the group had any vivid memories. However as we passed St Paul's Church, John Marshall did remember the choir singing there around the year 2000. 

The Woldingham  Seven at North Downs Golf Club

We enjoyed more scenic views as we passed along Madeira Walk to Woldingham Garden Village, once a gathering camp for Western Front troops in 1915, then a hospital for the returning injured.  A steep path downwards led to a dangerous crossing of Halliloo Road. Fortunately we were then able to collapse into seating and recover outside a golf clubhouse, our second of the day. The only drink consumed this time was by John Parker and it was (uncharacteristically) tea.

Route map, courtesy Dick Jones

The group tackled the one steep climb Dave had promised back to the top of Bug Hill, then crossed Blanchman's Farm. Before  the walk, the White Lion landlady apologised for only having one chef on duty and recommended we eat at The Horseshoe next door. There we enjoyed some very large portions and not even John Marshall could manage a dessert.