The Tandridge Border Path is a 50 mile circular walk around the District boundary and was developed in 2000 to commemorate the millennium. The Path was created by Per-Rambulations, sponsored by Tandridge District Council, supported by Surrey County Council and is now accepted as a long distance footpath by the Long Distance Walkers Association.
The route is waymarked and a Guide to the Tandridge Border Path has been produced which gives details of the walk. The Guide divides the Path into six stages starting and finishing at Tatsfield, but of course the path can be walked anywhere along the route.
The Path descends southwards from Tatsfield, into the historic and fertile Vale of Holmesdale which stretches between the North Downs across Surrey and well on into Kent. After a reminder of the contrast of modern travel when crossing the M25, the path attains quiet again, ascending the Greensand Ridge to cross Limpsfield Chart before descending into the Weald to reach Staffhurst Wood renowned, for its blue-bells in the due season.
It then continues south close to the border with Kent. On the way it crosses the Eden Valley, which can be difficult after periods of heavy and prolonged rain and passes Starborough Castle before ascending to the Iron Age fort of Dry Hill with its sweeping views. For a while it follows Kent Water, the boundary of the Tandridge District and Surrey with Kent and not wholly conspicuous here apart from during those rainy spells.
It then swings west along the southern boundary with Sussex. It takes in the beautiful Old Surrey Hall and although there is no indication of it on the ground, crosses the Greenwich Meridian close to the Cooks Pond Viaduct to reach Dormans Station.
From Dormans the Path continues west through the southern border country into Felbridge where it passes under the Evelyn Chestnuts before skirting Hedgecourt Lake, once a great mill pond, with its abundant birdlife. Swinging north across open land and woodland, it reaches the ancient hamlet of Burstow.
Heading north, the Path tracks the western boundary of the Tandridge District along the centre of the public highway, but as that highway is the M23 walking along it is not recommended.
Although the motorway is never far away, it is not wholly obtrusive and the path, for the most part, crosses fields and open spaces, including Outwood Common, close to, but not in sight of the famous windmill: the oldest working windmill in England. There are views ahead of the Greensand Ridge and the North Downs before reaching South Nutfield.
The Path continues on its way northwards to once again cross the Greensand Ridge and Nutfield Marsh. It negotiates the M25/M23 junction and ascends the escarpment of the North Downs with a wide vista back over the Vale of Holmesdale and the Weald.
Passing Chaldon Church with its important wall painting dating from c1200AD, the path goes on to skirt what was the Caterham Depot of the Brigade of Guards before crossing the Coulsdon Commons, the preservation of which is owed to the Corporation of the City of London of which the white Coal Posts are a reminder.
Finally, it passes around Kenley Aerodrome, used in both World Wars and important in the Battle of Britain to reach Whyteleafe.
Leaving Whyteleafe the Path travels eastwards shadowing the northern boundary of the Tandridge District with the London Borough of Croydon. It ascends out of Whyteleafe over Riddlesdown soon to become rural again, although at times there are extensive views of London visible.
There are woodland and open land and, past the ancient church of Chelsham, there is a flavour of the North Downs as they were before development reached them hereabouts. There, at the bottom of the coombe the Meridian is crossed again before reaching Tatsfield again.
For a free copy of the Guide to the Tandridge Border Path please send a cheque for £2 payable to Per-rambulations to cover postage and packaging to the following address 'Per-Rambulations', Larkshill, Cranston Road, East Grinstead, RH19 3HL.
