Take a walk with us: iC readers are invited to get out and about along the Vanguard Way next month
Become a Vanguard with Inside Croydon and walk into summer with a guided six-mile ramble.
Inside Croydon’s guided walks around the outskirts of London offer our loyal readers a chance to find out more about the area, their environment, history and climate change.
Our next walk on Sunday June 2 will be gathering at 1pm from the tram stop at Lloyd Park, and with the help of John Jefkins, we will be exploring six miles of the Vanguard Way, the long-distance pathway from Croydon to the sea at Newhaven in Sussex.
This is a completely new walk for Inside Croydon, and we hope to see many of our regular ramblers from previous walks come along, together with new readers and ramblers joining with us for the first time.
John Jefkins is the vice-chair of the Vanguard Way Association, and has been busy with his colleagues over recent weeks in installing plaques at the start and finish of the 66-mile route, at East Croydon Station and at Newhaven Station.
For our walk, we will set off along the Vanguard Way heading for Chelsham Common, and the Bull Inn, about six miles away on the North Downs, where refreshment can be taken. The guided part of the walk is expected to take at least two-and-a-half hours, mainly over rough paths and includes some hills.
It will be then up to individuals whether they choose to get a bus home (a frequent service operates from Warlingham Sainsbury’s to Fairfield Halls and West Croydon), or, for the fit and bold, set off for a return ramble back the way we came…
The walk is open to anyone aged 18 and over and is free of charge, but we do ask that participants make a £5 donation to the Vanguard Way Association to help them with their efforts in providing well-signposted walks all the way through some of the loveliest scenery in southern England, including the North Downs, the Weald, the Ashdown Forest and the South Downs.
Parents and carers of children aged 12 to 18 can bring the youngsters along, but we ask that each child is accompanied by an adult.
End of the road: the Bull Inn, Chelsham, seen here on the day of the Vanguard Way Marathon, will mark the end of our ramble on June 2
Places on the walk are limited, and paid subscribers to Inside Croydon will get priority booking.
Important: Health and safety for the walk
The safety and well-being of our readers, walkers and ramblers is always our priority. Before embarking on our guided walk, we want to ensure that you enjoy the experience safely.
Route details: Our route has been selected to provide a safe and enjoyable experience and features moderate hills with regular stopping points. You can check out the first section of the Vanguard Way with the VWA’s own maps and guides to the trail – Lloyd Park is from para 1.4.
Weather conditions: Please be aware that weather conditions can change quickly. Dress appropriately and come prepared with a small backpack to carry essentials such as waterproof jacket, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and drinking water.
Please wear comfortable, sturdy footwear suitable for walking long distances.
In case of poor weather, we may need to cancel the walk and will notify you if any changes are necessary.
Hydration and comfort: It’s important to stay hydrated during the tour, especially on hot days. We recommend bringing a water bottle.
Participant wellbeing: It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure that they are fit and healthy to take part in a long walk.
By working together and following these guidelines, we can ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.
The Vanguard Way trail was launched in 1981, and earlier this month a significant stretch of the trail, “the Graham Butler Mile”, was launched on Nore Hill near Woldingham in Surrey.
The Graham Butler Mile commemorates someone who did so much over many years for the Vanguard Way, the Vanguard Rambling Club and ramblers in Croydon and Surrey. Members of the Vanguard Rambling Club and the Ramblers raised more than £4,000 to buy and install seven gates that replaced some wonky wooden stiles along the Graham Butler Mile from Limpsfield Road down Nore Hill to Slines Oak Road.
Butler died in 2018. The launch ribbon for the Graham Butler Mile was cut by Graham’s widow Janet and Kate Ashbrook, the general secretary of the Open Spaces Society and a long-time supporter of the Vanguard Way.
- Places for our Vanguard Way walk on June 2 are strictly limited, so sign up now by clicking here and visiting our Eventbrite page
Read more: East Croydon plaque to get you on track for the Vanguard Way
- If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, or want to publicise your residents’ association or business, or if you have a local event to promote, please email us with full details at inside.croydon@btinternet.com
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