We are the Bromley Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Philip J.
This may look to be the same walk as I led a couple of months ago, but it isn't. It is a completely different walk both in the morning and afternoon and uses some lesser known footpaths. The walk still has the steep climb up the North Downs but avoids most of the traffic.
Starting from the same place as last time, we take the same Darent Valley Path south across the golf course, turning in a westerly direction after the cricket ground. But instead of turning left to remain on the Darent Valley Path we continue down the hill, crossing the River Darent, until we reach Filston Lane. Here we turn left and walk along the quiet road for a short time until we reach the next footpath on the left. We follow this for some time, crossing Twitton Lane and, having passed under the railway, crossing Pilgrims Way West. Continuing in the same direction until we eventually reach Pilgrims Way West again, where we turn right and walk back along the pavement until we reach the first turning on the left, which takes us across the M25 to the bottom of Polhill.
Carefully crossing the busy A224, we take the footpath immediately opposite. This leads us to the North Downs Business Park and Lime Pit Lane. We follow the footpath across the fields, crossing Star Hill Road, until it joins the North Downs Way and eventually to Knockholt Pound. Lunch is a picnic on the green or a meal in the Three Horseshoes.
After lunch we head down Pound Lane and then by Public Footpath north to Rushmore Hill, turning right on the first footpath beyond Cooling's Garden Centre towards Halstead. Turning left onto Shoreham Lane we cross the road and continue down the road, keeping in single file, well to the right when the pavement ends until we come to a footpath round the road, that I came across during COVID walks, and I don't believe have followed during a group walk. The path leads to the 50mph London Road. We cross carefully and continue along what must have been the same path. Passing under the M25 we are soon back to the starting point.
The start of the walk is just behind Shoreham church, and a short walk from the station. If you come by car park considerately in Station Road. If you come by train you have the option of leaving the walk after lunch and getting the bus back to Orpington station.
