North Downs Way, Part 2

Millenium Stones in Gatton Park.

Another month, another section of the NDW, this time just me doing the walking, never mind, I am used to wandering by myself after all.  Looking at the map, I do wonder somewhat why I planned to finish at Reigate last time - if we'd gone a mile or so further all told we'd have reached Merstham, whose station is pretty much on the Way, and which has a direct train back to London.  As it is I stay on the train as far as Redhill, change there and then on to Reigate, and then have to lump all the way back up Reigate hill... at least there is a nice view from the top.  Then downhill to Merstham again, where I cross the M25 - this motorway will be an ever present companion for the weekend.

The Surrey Countryside... oh, and the M25.

Can't say the walking here is especially thrilling - I'm on a ridge, but mainly walking through woodland, pretty enough with a carpet of bluebells but not exactly an awesome wilderness.  Now and then I get a view south, complete with motorway.  At least it is easy going, and in fact I make short work of the day's fifteen miles.  Lunch at the Harrow is good, the end of the route however is at Clacket Lane service station, where the food looks a bit dubious and overpriced.  Worse yet, stupid licensing laws mean I won't be able to get a drink here, so after checking in to the Days Inn and having a rest for an hour or so, I'm back on the road.  Only a short way though, to the Grasshopper Inn on the A25... odd place, a charming Tudor building and the food is good, service is not so great though and the beer is at best variable.  Fair play to them for building a massive fire for me to watch while drinking a pint or two mind you.

The Grasshopper Inn.

Sunday morning, yet more nice weather, and off I go, up the fairly small hill back to the NDW.  Before very long I'm out of Surrey and into Kent, losing altitude all the way, and indeed I find the Way now runs through fields rather than a strip of common land as previously.  There is still a motorway roaring away to the South though... eventually I cross back over the M25, but looking at the map the Way continues to run alongside the M20, ah well.  I stop for lunch at the rather posh Rose and Crown in Dunton Green, then find myself on a surprisingly urban bit of the route through Otford and its environs.  Seems a nice place though, looks like a good spot for a pub crawl... also I seem to have come on the day of the village fete.  No time to tarry however, so, one last rather steep climb up Otford Mount.  From here it is a gentle downhill to Wrotham (pronounced 'Rootum' apparently), where I find another Rose and Crown and grab a quick pint.  And, back on the train to London - two weekends down, three to go!

Photos to go with this post can be found here.