GPS Cycle and Walking Routescycle iconwalk icon

Walks in Orpington

9.94 miles (16 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap 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 OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Orpington Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Orpington

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 - geograph.org.uk - 1394442

High Street, Orpington

High Elms hand sculpture Smitherman 2002

High Elms hand sculpture Smitherman 2002

Down House - geograph.org.uk - 680255

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

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 - geograph.org.uk - 75608

View from North Cudham Lane TN14. Looking southwest from a point just north of Cudham village.

The Blacksmiths Arms, Cudham

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 - geograph.org.uk - 624591

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.

The Chenies, Orpington - geograph.org.uk - 692669

The Chenies, Orpington

GPS Files

GPX File

Orpington.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Orpington.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)