Walks in Orpington
The town of Orpington is located at the south-eastern edge of Greater London. There's lots of good walking opportunities with open countryside and the North Downs to the south of the town. Several waymarked walking trails also run through or past the town, taking you to parks, gardens and woodland.
This walk around Orpington uses part of the London Loop and the Cudham Circular Walk to explore the countryside, parks and woods to the south of the town.
The walk starts on the western side of the town where you can pick up the London Loop long distance footpath. Follow it south past Farnborough and it will take you to High Elms Country Park. The 250 acre park is one of the highlights of the area with woodlands, a nature centre, ice well, formal gardens and wildflower meadows to see.
From the park the route continues south through Cuckoo Wood and Hazelwood before coming to the little village of Cudham.
You continue west through Single Street before turning north to Luxted and Downe. Here you will pass Downe House the former home of Charles Darwin.
From Downe you follow footpaths heading north east past Farthing Street where you pick up the London Loop again. It will take you back through High Elms Park before returning you to Orpington.
Orpington Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Orpington Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Orpington OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Orpington Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Orpington
- Green Chain Walk - The Green Chain Walk visits a number of London's prettiest parks and open spaces while also passing through some interesting urban areas
- Beckenham Place Park - This circular walk explores Beckenham Place Park in the London Borough of Lewisham
- Elmstead Woods - Enjoy a short stroll through Elmstead and Marvel Woods on this easy walk in the in the London Borough of Bromley
- Three Commons - This short circular walk in Bromley takes you on a tour of Hayes Common, Keston Common and West Wickham common
- Petts Wood Circular - A short circular walk that takes you through Petts Wood and Jubilee Country Park in Bromley
- Limehouse Cut - Follow the Limehouse Cut canal on this waterside walk or cycle in East London
- Keston Common - This area of common land in Bromley covers 55 hectares and includes some nice footpaths
- London Loop - Also known as the London Outer Orbital Path, this walk takes you on a tour of the parks, woods and fields around the edge of Outer London
- High Elms Country Park - Enjoy the woodlands, nature centre, ice well, formal gardens and wildflower meadows in this 250 acre country park in Orpington
- Hayes Common - This area of common land in Bromley covers 91.1 hectares (225 acres) and includes a number of public footpaths and bridleways.
You can start the walk from Hayes train station which is located a short stroll from the common - St Pauls Cray Circular Walk - A short circular walk around St Paul's Cray in Bromley
- Petts Wood Circular - A short circular walk that takes you through Petts Wood and Jubilee Country Park in Bromley
- Green Street Green Circular - This short circular walk takes you through the woodland, parkland and countryside around Green Street Green in Bromley
- Berrys Green Circular - This pleasant circular walk passes through the woods and villages around the rural area of Berry's Green in Bromley
- Farnborough Circular Walk - This circular walk follows a series of footpaths through the countryside around Farnborough in Bromley
- Scadbury Park - This pretty Local Nature Reserve in Bromley has some nice footpaths to try
- Cudham Circular Walk - This circular walk takes you through the woodland and farmland around Cudham and Downe in Bromley
- Downe Circular Walk - This circular walk explores the countryside and villages around Downe
Pubs/Cafes
The Orpington is a good choice for some refreshments after your walk. They do great food and also have a record store to browse. You can find them on the High Street at a postcode of BR6 0LW for your sat navs.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The Cray Riverway starts in the town and is a good way to continue your walking around Orpington. The waterside path takes you along the River Cray to the River Thames.
Petts Wood is also located nearby. The peaceful woods are run by the National Trust and are a great place for tranquil walks.
Photos
High Street, Orpington
High Elms hand sculpture Smitherman 2002
Down House in the village of Downe. The home of Charles Darwin, where he worked on and wrote the 'Origin of the Species'
The Fives Court at High Elms Country Park, London Borough of Bromley. It was established in the 1850s when the estate was owned by the Lubbock family.
View from North Cudham Lane TN14. Looking southwest from a point just north of Cudham village.
An exterior shot of The Blacksmiths Arms in Cudham, Kent. It was the birthplace of the music hall comedian and dancer Little Tich with commemorative blue plaque situated on the top right of the building.
Priory Buildings, Orpington. These cottages, which with the exception of Orpington Priory, would seem to be the oldest buildings in the town, now house various small business offices. The park map refers to them as almshouses. Grade II listed - for listing particulars.
