Inside Croydon’s resident rambler, WALKER DUNELM offers an easy stroll from Oaks Country Park for the weekend

From Oaks Park’s car park, go past the café and along by the hedge on the right to a gap in the southern boundary, which leads to a light-controlled pedestrian crossing over the A2022.

After crossing the road, turn right over a stile and, after a short distance, turn left over a stile and follow the path across the field of lavender (a riot of colour in the spring) to a sequence of three stiles on the far side.

In the next field continue in the same direction; on reaching the far boundary turn left towards a stile which leads out to Carshalton Road.

Turn right and follow the road into Woodmansterne village, bearing right on a metalled path over a grassy area to reach the road by shops. Turn right, pass the Woodman pub and, just before a right hand bend, turn left up Kingscroft Road.

At the end of the road go through a kissing gate and follow the distinct path ahead to another kissing gate. The path now bears slightly right downhill, through a kissing gate, across a metalled drive, through a small field to another kissing gate.

In the next field go diagonally right on the obvious path to reach a dilapidated metal kissing gate by a metal gate. Go straight ahead across the next field and cross a stile into Park Road. If visiting the Mint pub, turn left along the road.

To continue the walk turn right and, on reaching a junction with the old village well in the centre of a triangle, turn right along Woodmansterne Lane (if visiting pubs or cafés in Banstead continue along the road to a roundabout by The Woolpack).

Soon after passing Longcroft Road on the left, take an enclosed footpath on the left, just before a right-hand bend. On reaching open fields the path bends left and then right and continues downhill by the left hand edge of the field to a stile beside a metal gate. Continue ahead with a hedge on the left and wire fence on the right. At the bottom of the field follow the path as it bears left with a fence on the right with views over fields and the glasshouses of Evergreen Nurseries ahead on the right. Pass by derelict asbestos sheds on the left and walk along a wide stony track to reach the A2022.

Cross the very busy road with great care and turn right. After a short distance turn left on an enclosed, signposted footpath which turns left, then right.

At a T junction, turn right on a bridleway (part of the London Loop). After passing various horsy establishments the bridleway joins Fairlawn Road. Turn right and follow the London Loop signs back to the Oaks Park café for a well-earned cup of tea.

Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer 161

Distance: 5 miles Time: 2 hours

Parking: Oaks Park, Carshalton. Car park near the café reached from the A2022, Croydon Lane

Terrain: Field paths, some small sections of road walking

Nearest town: Carshalton

Refreshments: The Woodman, Woodmansterne; The Mint, Banstead; cafes and pubs in Banstead, café in Oaks Park

Public toilets: By the café in Oaks Park

Suitable for: All

Stiles: 8

Grade: Easy

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