Chaldon Church, Old Coulsdon and Happy Valley

An Ancient Church and Downland Views on London's Outskirts

This walk through beautiful Surrey downland begins at Chaldon Church, which contains one of England's artistic treasures: a 12th-century wall painting on the west wall measuring 17 feet by 11 feet. Known popularly as the Doom Painting, this earliest known English wall painting depicts souls being welcomed into heaven by angels alongside devils punishing the wicked.

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Start Point

Chaldon Church

Grid Ref: TQ 30884 55659

Total Distance

4.2 miles (6.8 km)

Total Climbing

129 metres

Estimated Time

2 hours

Difficulty Grade

Easy

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Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)

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The Walk Report

The church also features a rare 1657 pulpit erected during Oliver Cromwell's rule and an ancient font carved from a single block of local stone. From the church, the walk crosses Happy Valley towards Old Coulsdon and Coulsdon Common, passing The Fox Country Pub.

Continuing past Parsons Pightle and coppiced hazel woodlands in Devilsden Wood, the route climbs onto Farthing Downs, featuring Bronze Age tumuli and a Celtic rectangular field system.

The Fox Country Pub beside Coulsdon Common

This popular downland walking area is crossed by three named long-distance paths: the London LOOP, the Tandridge Border Path, and the Downlands Circular Walk. Returning through the sombre yew and beech glades of Devilsden Wood, the path brings you back to Chaldon Church.

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.

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Chaldon Church, Old Coulsdon and Happy Valley

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)

The Walk Report

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