Kenwar one

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I walked this on a rainy and stormy morning from Kenley to Warlingham.

From Kenley the path goes fairly up (photo #1) towards Honister Heights. It was quite nice, even in the rain as it was sheltered by the trees for the first half. Some nice views too (photo #2). At the east end of Honister Heights the path follows a bridleway (photo #3, #4) towards the Sanderstead to Whyteleafe Country Side Area. It has nice views (photo #5), and there were lots of butterflies (photo #6). Where the route went totally wrong, is when it turns south through a wooded lane towards Court Park Farm. The brambles were way too dense (photo #7) to get through. Instead, I am proposing Kenwar two, that avoid this, but still leaves most of the rest of the route intact. Once you get to Warlingham Rugby Club there were a few other brambly bushes (photo #8), but nothing too bad. There was a nice meadow (photo #9) to go through as well, and then a path with a lovely tree (photo #10). Then a public footpath follows, which is fenced in (photo #11), before end up on Warlingham's green with shops.

Another lovely walk linking green belt suburbia through open land, mostly managed in a wildlife friendly way. I started from Warlingham. Beware the dodgy path line coming down the hill into Kenley.

The very first footpath section appeared to go through a large locked gate, but looking closer there was a thin gap at one side hidden by an overgrown laurel hedge.

The footpath goes through small woodlands, beside flower rich meadows, and the sterile turf of a rugby club. Some big tree roots and signs of winter mud moulded into the rock hard soil. After crossing Tithe Shaw Lane towards Court Park caravan park there didn't seem to be any further signage. I persevered close to the hedge line and the path did reappear, but tucked around the corner just out of sight.

Soon the path came to the 'Sanderstead to Whyteleafe Countryside Area', jointly managed for wildlife by two councils across the London Surrey border. There were wide prairie-like meadows and views across the valley, but shortly hidden by trees along a shady old track. That was very straightforward to navigate but you could also link up to Riddlesdown using other paths along the valley if you fancy winging it. Photo of the 'You are here' map attached, there wasn't one at the entry point.

The lane came out to a short, very quiet section residential section then out onto another meadow at Riddlesdown, which is chalk downland with yew woods on the steep slopes. It's owned by the City of London. You cannot physically follow the route line through fences, but there's a path or two nearby heading in the same direction. Keep going down (or up) the steepest possible gradient from your start point and you should be ok. There are earth and plank steps.

There are ground nesting skylarks and possibly grazing cows along most of the route, dogs should be on leads, keep to the paths.

There's steps, kissing gates and one stile. Kenley has a station, Warlingham has a Kentish bus line, both have TfL buses. The Kenley Hotel (a pub) was advertising "Rooms from only £20"! Pub(s), a small supermarket and hot food at both ends.

This is a lovely walk, I’d recommend having maps open as up on Riddlesdown is quite expansive, and once passing Warlingham school you don’t feel you’re on much of a public path! Only one for the light, the end bit approaching Warlingham is often muddy too.

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