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London Loop: Section 5 Hamsey Green to Coulsdon South (part 1)
A fabulous stomp across snow covered fields
(Photos/words © urban75, 10th January, 2010)
We're slowly walking our way around most of the London Loop, and on a gloriously snowy January Sunday we undertook the six mile (9.6km) stretch from Hamsey Green to Coulsdon South.
It's normally a fairly easy walk (albeit with a few steep climbs), but the thick snow made the walk a bit more challenging (and a whole load more fun!).
Here's the photos:
Getting to the start point involved getting a train from Brixton to Beckenham, then a tram to West Croydon, followed by a bus to Hamsey Green.
Despite the weather, all the connections ran on time, so if you're thinking of doing this walk, you can safely leave your car at home, even if Hamsey Green is in the middle of nowhere.
On the tram to West Croydon.
Ah, the beauty of West Croydon Bus Station.
Arriving the meet-up point at the Good Companions pub.
A short walk later and we were deep in snow country!
A snowman against a darkening sky.
Incoming!
Snowman construction, followed by another snowball battle.
Old chalk quarry, looking positively alpine in the snowy conditions!
The journey down the valley was particularly hazardous, with the icy path invited dramatic faceplants.
The high cliffs of the old chalk quarry from the bottom of the valley.
Crossing the railway.
And up the valley.
Kenley Common, which covers fifty-six hectares of green open space around an old Battle of Britain airfield.
Lurking under the snow cover is a mixture of chalk grassland and ancient woodland, and there's some stunning views across the Caterham valley and the North Downs beyond.
Originally bought by the Corporation of London in 1883, it was later purchased by the Government, with subsequent land acquisitions seeing the common almost doubling in size.
« Walks home Hamsey Green to Coulsdon South Part Two »
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Part one 
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