After ticking off Botley Hill in all its manifestations, I went on to camp at Alderstead Heath, intending to walk to the top of Sutton the next day. That day dawned sunny and bright, so I set off in good heart to walk the three and half miles to Clock House. What I hadn’t realised was just how hilly this part of Surrey is as there were two hills in between. The walk to Coulsdon followed the route of the London Loop over Farthing Downs, with some excellent view back towards London and Hampstead Heath on the horizon. However for much of the time it was possible to forget surburbia and just enjoy the beautiful open countryside. Farthing Downs would have made an excellent top for Croydon, were they about eighty feet higher.
It was uphill all the way from Coulsdon until reaching Prospect Plantation where the land levelled off. The actual top was the Clock House recreation ground and luckily the football pitch was deserted as I wandered around like a prospector trying to find the highest point. I was able to enjoy the sunshine and have a picnic in the kids playground, also deserted, before returning by the same route. The walk was ten miles long, took over five hours to complete and climbed over 1200ft. Bloody knackering!Sanderstead Plantation (Croydon) 574ft / 175m
In contrast with the Sutton walk, the Croydon walk was all over in about twenty minutes. In parked in Church Way and walked to the top of Sanderstead Plantation. The path was steep but mercifully short. There were a few views towards London but otherwise it was all trees and scrub. It was very popular with locals and I think I spotted a fellow topper, a man armed with gps and maps.
I wonder if this is what happens if I put Archie on steroids!
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