We met for elevenses at the Wells Cafe in Chessington where we are always welcomed and decided to make for lunch at the Woodman pub in Lower Ashtead. We were joined for the day by a new rider, Sarah, who was delighted to enjoy such a scenic route which was all so new to her. Fifteen of us wound our way through the estate then to turn right onto the A243 and soon turn left along Garrison Lane to follow the the roads round to the entrance to Horton Country Park in Rollesby Road. After going along the Western track in the park we emerged onto Horton Lane and followed that Southwards to the roundabout to join Epsom Common. We traversed the enjoyable dry tracks to the pedestrian railway crossing by Newton Wood and came out in Craddocks Avenue which led us to lunch at the pub.
The pub was fairly full when we arrived as there was a party having lunch after a funeral. We were warned that our lunches would take up to an hour or so but the staff worked their socks off and we didn't have to wait that long. After lunch we went through Ashtead by going along the High Street to Park Lane, Rookery Hill and Pleasure Pit Road. The reason for the road name came about during World War II as the GIs who were camping nearby would take local girls there to show them their medals.
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I am bemused that the track between Walton Bridge and Weybridge is being referred to as "John Bellamy's track " but grateful that Tim Court's original suggestion that it should be called "John Bellamy's Passage" was not taken up.
John
P.S. This old edition of the OS Explorer map still refers to John Bellamy's Passage:
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