Day 14 Banstead to Berrylands - the LOOP is complete

Banstead station doesn't even pretend to have trains on a Sunday so bus to Sutton and bus to Banstead M&S it was, which worked well. Back to the golf course and we were off. Epsom & Ewell is definitely a *nice* borough but then I think a  few of my friends could tell me that anyway.

Away from the golfers, it wasn't long before I was on familiar territory, firstly passing scenes of school sports days on Northey Avenue and then recollections of umpteen running events in Nonsuch Park.

Nonsuch Mansion complete with wedding party waiting to burst out

It made a change to go more slowly and see the park in a different way. I even heard a woodpecker. I hadn't realised how big it is nor the depth of its historical credentials going back to Henry VIII. There used to be a Nonsuch Palace in the park, created by Henry VIII but used by Elizabeth I.

Out of Nonsuch Park and going towards Ewell West, you get a reminder of how odd the Victorians could be, take the Ewell Castle as an example, built in 1810. It is on the site of an earlier castle but really, is this the best 'style' they could come up with?

Ewell Castle now a school

Opposite is a stand-alone medieval church tower which is dilapidated and beautiful in the middle of a churchyard.

Tower no church

I spotted a sad story on the headstone of "Catherine, wife of James Bailey who in consequence of the overturning of the Dorking Coach April 1 1826 met with her Death in the 22nd Year of her Age". The newer, replacement church is elsewhere in the same churchyard. Ewell threw up a few gems including the little Watch House where locals would be locked up for their misdemeanours.

Watch House c 1770

Bourne Hall Park has an impressive gate and some gardens that perhaps I should have explored further. The original house from 1770 was demolished in 1962 and replaced by a rather outlandish public building in 1967.

Dog Gate, Bourne Hall Park

There is a lake in the park and there were goslings of various sizes, feeling brave enough to waddle about on their own. This didn't stop the geese following them.

Geese, fence, goslings

Fence, goose

Altogether again

What I didn't know before is that this lake and nearby ponds form the source of the Hogsmill River. Thus the way was set home. Feeling that I am fairly familiar with the Hogsmill, it was interesting to join up the pieces and still discover new things. I did see the go-kart track in action for the first time and looked at the 'church on the hill' in a different way.

Red go-kart

St John the Baptist Malden

From the church to the finish was a well trodden route, being a regular running route with my club. Lovely daughter met me at the end and we retired to the Berrylands pub for refuelling and a touch of celebration.

Womble at the end of the LOOP

14 days and my garmin says it was at least 162 miles. That doesn't include walking to/from New Malden station on many days and the occasional user/technical failure. The weather was pretty good really, I did get rained on but never very badly. I did have to use suncream and wore my best sun hat some days.

The description on the cover of the book is "150 miles of secret countryside to walk in a green corridor around London". It was definitely like going for a walk in the park every day. To say it was countryside was pushing it slightly by the time I was on yet another golf course not knowing which to look for flying golf balls. There is a huge amount of glorious countryside within easy access of your Oyster card, so no moaning about not having any money or not knowing what to do. Get off your sofa and go for a walk somewhere new. My main disappointment was the amount of litter in some areas, so please do your bit and take your rubbish to a bin or home with you.

You don't even have to buy the book, I think the internet can help you.