Epsom Downs Circular, 18 Oct

NB this is a change from the advertised programme. A walk of 8 miles

Train: London Victoria 0900, Clapham Junction 0909, Sutton 0949, arr Epsom Downs 09.59. All within the Zone 6 boundary. There is free parking at the station, for anyone who wants to drive.

The walk is 4 miles in the morning with gentle slopes and 4 miles in the afternoon, mostly downhill. This could be slippery after rain, so walking poles would be useful. There are no stiles now. Race horses are easily spotted because of the proximity of the  Epsom race course and there are lovely views throughout the walk.

Lunch is in the village of Walton on the Hill: there is a nice pub called The Blue Ball (plenty of space, so booking can be done on the morning of the walk), otherwise lots of places to picnic around the nearby lake. There are other pubs, cafes and places to buy  food in the village.

Drop out point: in Walton at lunch time, it’s possible to catch a bus to Epsom or nearby Tattenham Corner, which are both just outside the Zone 6 boundary, so a rail ticket will be required, just for one stop.

Trains from Epsom Downs station back to central London are half hourly.

Leader: Daphne