Warlingham, Surrey to Whyteleafe - a country walk and a climb up Jacob's Ladder

A loop walk starting at Warlingham, heading across country to Whyteleafe via the Recreation Ground (The Dobbin) then along to Well Farm Road where I climb the Jacob's Ladder footpath to Westhall Road and complete the loop on School Common. The usual mix of history, chat and some beautiful late summer/early autumn weather.
I hope you enjoy it and, as mentioned on the video, please feel free to comment - it's a great way to engage.
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Links related to this video:
The OS Maps route: explore.osmaps.com/route/1893...
Pathe News film of Mountain Pools from 1936: • Warlingham (1936)
Kenley Revival article on the bomb disposal tragedy: www.kenleyrevival.org/content...
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#localhistory #Warlingham #surrey #whyteleafe #jacobsladder #mountainpools #balh #philswalkandtalk

[@fluffybadger9832]

I lived near Hamsey Green in the 70s to early 80s, my mum & I plus 2 Cocker Spaniels regularly used to walk to Whyteleafe & back over the Dobbins to visit the pet food shop more or less where the roundabout was. Not even sure there was a roundabout then! Bought back great memories, thanks! 😁

[@peterclark9677]

Thanks again, another great walk so much interest. When I am up again visiting my old work mates I will do this walk

[@philswallow]

It was a really enjoyable walk, Peter. Take your time (and a few stops) climbing Jacob’s Ladder!

[@andystlaurent8262]

Another great video Phil! I remember the footpath from Limpsfield Rd to Tithe Pit, used to walk home from school that way sometimes. I never knew (or thought about) how Tithe Pit Shaw Lane got it's name, great info. Also, we used to use that footpath from Tithe Pit down to the Dobbins for cross country runs, we'd go from the school down the path, along past the chalk pit & then back up to the corner of Tithe Pit by the school.

[@philswallow]

Glad you enjoyed it mate, it’s funny just how many things we go past for years but never actually explore. I’m gradually ticking them all off!

[@LoremIpsum1970]

Great walk, I didn't even know Jacob's Ladder was there, nut I don't think its much worse than walking up Succomb's Hill! I think we spent most of our time in Riddlesdown Quarry or Kenley Aerodrome🤣Do you put your routes on Alltrails? I think you might need to speak to someone about this pumping station obsession 😉

[@philswallow]

I put them all on OS Maps, links in the video descriptions. Similar to All Trails, I think they should sponsor me 😀. I am in therapy about local water systems. It’s funny as it is a subject that found me, rather than the other way around!

[@fluffybadger9832]

I don't know about the weather not being great for outdoor swimming etc but there still is the naturist's club around the area near Jacob's ladder.

[@philswallow]

I was reminded of that after filming it - each to their own I guess!

[@guyj3025]

Wow the dobbin has changed so much, I remember it being much more closed in and definitely no steps, It was the site of our best and worst games lessons the best being sledging using a carrier bag stuffed with snow as a sledge and the worst being the cross country which if i remember correctly went down the dobbin and back up the path along the side of the chalk pit.

[@philswallow]

I mention one of my school cross country run experiences here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGa4nGChhcx5aNU

[@andymcgarty3099]

Good to see how few empty shops there are on the green. Don't think I spotted any. I used to drink in the White Lion, never been to any of the others! I remember the police station. Great video, I don't remember ever walking any of those paths. I rarely went to Whyteleafe, apart to visit the cycle shop :) Can't believe Whyteleafe is almost all restaurants! Did you point your camera over the fence on Jacobs Ladder at the nudist colony? My mum tells stories of her and friends peaking over when she was a girl! Another cracking video. Thanks.

[@philswallow]

Cheers Andy, I can’t recall any time when any of the shops have been vacant for a significant time so that is a good sign. I was asked on FB about the nudist colony but it didn’t feature on my research and I’m not sure it’s there any more? I expect there are plenty of “peaking” stories! 😂

[@viewer1youtuber529]

Can you do one on Purley? I spent my childhood there, went to Thomas More school, maybe taking in the Rotary field, and Croydon airport?

[@philswallow]

Hi, I’ve made two separate videos, the Purley Heritage Trail and Historic Croydon Airport, both on this Playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLJ5E7fAwQ8zI5RJJhHaY-JhMQmgavYSvz&si=HOo6deqZp8tIs1Rz

[@dhdavidholloway]

The swimming pool probably didn't survive due to competition from the pool on Purley Way which I think opened at about the same time and probably had better facilities. At least that kept open until the mid 70s but it always attracted big crowds on a hot day in summer. I don't think that it was very safe in the area of the diving boards

[@philswallow]

That would seem to be the case, David. I found this site during my research and will provide them with some information that I found, including the Pathé news clip: www.lostlidos.co.uk/

[@flipsy31]

where the school was the new building was built early eighties

[@philswallow]

Thanks!

[@flipsy31]

@@philswallow thats where i went when it was a school in late 70s-1980/81

[@fluffybadger9832]

I seem to remember the original school buildings, or some of them were converted & incorporated into the new development with some new extensions.