SEVEN WOODS CIRCULAR from CHIPSTEAD, SURREY

Moderate, circular walk starting from Chipstead Station or Holly Lane car park, Banstead Woods (parking free). This is a beautiful woodland walk passing through Banstead Wood, Long Plantation, Chiphouse Wood, Lunch Wood, Ruffet Wood and into Banstead (after 9km) for lunch at All Saints Church cemetery. Picnic lunch or food and coffee outlets opposite the cemetery in the High Street. Public toilets available close by. For those making it out of the cemetery, the remaining 4km passes through Scratch Wood, Great Solom’s Wood, and back to Holly Lane car park and then finally Chipstead station. Beautiful woodland walk at any time of year. Sheep, cattle and perhaps the occasional deer may be spotted en route. Mainly undulating woodland paths, some open countryside and some moderate hills en route. May be muddy if there’s been much rain, so bring walking poles. Several country roads to cross. For anyone not wanting to complete the whole walk, the 166 bus can be taken from Banstead  High Street back to Chipstead, with drop off about 300m from the station. Usual precautions for time of year: sunblock, waterproofs and drinking water!