Two short visits

Cheam Park

 

First Visit

Having cancelled a walking trip for the third time (weather), I took the bus to Cheam Village. This quaint place has timber-framed cottages and nice shops. It is also the home of Whitehall Historic House, a Grade II Listed Tudor House. Although I didn't visit this time, I have been inside, and it is really worth a visit. There is also a cafe. Check the website for opening times as it is only open certain days of the week.

The first place I went to after getting off the bus was a charity shop. Well, it was right outside the bus stop! And I did come away with two books. I went to photograph some of the buildings and have a look at the shops, something I never seem to have time for as I'm always going somewhere else. I discovered Cheam Park. How did I not know this was there before? I expected a small kids park,  but it was so much more. Yes, there was a children's' playground, but also pathways through lined trees and entrances into Nonsuch Park, which I have been to several times.

This park would be lovely to bring Rue to as there is plenty of space. I couldn't believe that conkers were already on the ground, and I picked up a few to take home. Autumn seems to be coming early this year, though a lot of this is due to the heatwaves of summer, and a many trees are heat stressed, their leaves are brown and shriveled and have already dropped.

I ended my walk by going back to the small town, visiting a little shop I've always wanted to look around. It sells all kinds of things, gifty. They were very tempting. After a drink in a cafe, I set off back home. It turned out to be quite a lovely afternoon, and after all that, the rain held off.

Second Visit

St Mary's, Beddington

A meeting point, a halfway place between my home and my friend's, this was Beddington Park. The rain did come this time. We managed to dodge most of the showers, and boy, were they heavy, but we spent time mostly in cafes! I had been through this park some years ago when I was walking the River Wandle. It passes through here (it was a much nicer day that time). We found the little church of St Mary's open, and it had a cafe. I'd photographed this church from the outside previously, but had never been inside. What a delight it was. We had a wander before ordering a hot drink. The tables and chairs were positioned mostly in the aisle. This is an eco church and everything about it felt homely.

This is a very decorative church. We were amazed at the walls and ceiling. One thing of note, the organ screen was made in William Morris' workshop, and he painted it. As you may have gathered from previous posts, I am a huge William Morris fan, so this was an unexpected find and delight.

The William Morris organ screen

Later we moved on and headed for the main cafe in the park for lunch. While inside there were several heavy showers, and it was raining a little when we left. So we didn't get a chance to walk along the pathways, but we did have our catch-up and the visit to the church was the highlight of the day.

Carew Manor, former Orphanage, Beddington

Not all walks have to be well planned out, and sometimes the small local walks can be wonderful. These two closer to home offered the unexpected on days when the weather wasn't playing ball, and the first was a last minute choice as I just needed to get out for a while. Sometimes unplanned trips can reap rewards you don't expect. I need to remember that and sometimes cast my well thought out itinerary away!

The River Wandle taken in 2020, Beddington Park