Epsom Downs and Langley Vale Wood Circular Walk
Post 130 At Epsom Race Course
Start & Finish: Tattenham Corner Station, Epsom, KT18 5QD
Distance: 11.1 km (6.9 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 160 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 22
London Coal Duty Posts: 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, (132), 133, 134, (135), 136
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Bell (just off route at 7.6 km), several in Tattenham Corner High Street
Map: Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate Map | Leatherhead & Caterham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 146
Links: Coal Duty Posts, Tattenham Corner, Epsom Downs Race Course, Epsom Downs, Langley Vale Wood, Tadworth
Similar to the Banstead Heath Circular, this walk takes advantage of having several Coal Duty Posts in close proximity. On the 11 km walk through Epsom Downs and Langley Vale Wood you can visit posts 125 to 136. Note that post 135 is no longer visible as it’s in a private garden hidden by a large fence and bushes. Even if you’re not into bagging the Coal Posts, this is a very pleasant walk.
The route crosses the Epsom Downs Race Course on public rights of way which are occasionally closed during race events. Check before you go to make sure that the paths are open.
The start of the route is from Tattenham Corner Station where there’s also 2 car parks. From the station walk along Tattenham Crescent toward the race course then take a right onto Tattenham Corner Road heading north, The first Coal Post (132) is near the Tattenham Corner Pub. Take a left onto National Cycle Route (NCN) 22 heading in a south-westerly direction through the race course. Along this 2.2 km stretch you’ll pass posts 129, 128, 127 and 126 either on or just off the cycle route.
At Post 126 leave NCN 22 and take a right to follow the path through Langley Bottom Farm then take a left to the path that runs close to the southern edge of Langley Vale Road in a south-westerly direction. You’ll find post 125 near the junction of Langley Vale Road, Headley Road and Downs Road. Keep on the path running next to Downs Road then a left onto Headley Road to the entrance of the Langley Vale Wood Woodland Trust site.
The next 2.5 km meander through Langley Vale Wood. This was farmland purchased by the Woodland Trust in 2014 and is now one of four First World War Centenary Woods remembering those killed in the war. Its a beautiful place to walk though. Follow the paths until you reach Post 136 at the corner of Motts Hill Lane.
Take a left to follow Motts Hill Lane in a northerly direction but keep on the path when Motts Hill Lane curves to the right at (the hidden) Post 135. Keeping on the path you’ll pass Post 134 and, when the path meets Epsom Lane North, you can squeeze through the hedge for Post 133 on the eastern side of the road. Just after Post 133 you’ll see Post 130 on the opposite side of the race-course. Cross the track on the footpath to visit it. Cross back over to visit Post 131 on the small hill overlooking the race-course and then follow Royal Drive to return to Tattenham Corner Station.
The Coal Duty Posts
