Grandstand Ups and Epsom Downs

Bright crisp April morning for the start of our walk, Epsom Downs sparkle in the sunlight. Only two racehorses so far!

Wending our way through the woods, the trees are in their spring finery. Ups and downs, narrow paths and wide. On one chalky uphill we stand aside for 21 cyclists pedaling up the stony path, two fall off their bikes and have to walk to the top!

It’s an eight mile walk so we press on through the beautiful countryside. Then a splash of vivid blue between the trees, bluebells, lots of them. Moving up through the pines, by the paddocks, we approach Headley Church, originally built in 1270. On Ascension Day 1836 some children playing with matches in the church porch resulted in the church being burnt to the ground. More incendiary than ascension. This is fully discussed!

Passing through picturesque cherry blossom framed cottages the M25 tunnel beckons, out again into the bright sunlight across to Langley Vale Centenary Wood. Checking my map, we look at the information board. Two of the walkers have visited before, but can’t quite remember where the statues and the avenue is.

It is off route but all are keen and we walk further into the acres of newly planted trees to the Jutland Wood, commemorating all those lost at sea, we pause respectfully. Further on the statues stand serenely in the flower meadow facing the west. Passing through the broad Cherry Avenue we read information boards with history of the area where so many soldiers trained in WW1, for many their last experience of England.

The walkers, strangers to start, are now sharing memories of relatives who lived through this time. Diverting from our route, the 8 miles advertised came in at 7.93 miles, lucky!