CLUB SITES ALDERSTEAD HEATH & CRYSTAL PALACE legendsUrban Andrew Ditton enjoys a city escape by pitching on a pair private life of one of the country’s most the mind-boggling array of rides? Go and respected public figures, while a stroll of see the gorillas, tigers and meerkats (among MEMBERS’ VIEWS of Club sites ideally located for London exploration the gardens and adjacent woodland will others) at the zoo? Or marvel at the sharks Bill and Jackie Hawkes (right), from help work off the tasty tea and sandwiches and rays as they swim over the glass tunnel Gloucestershire, were staying at ONDON’S VIBRANT culture Before we move on, though, a warning. Fanny’s Farm Shop, a Surrey institution. taken in the restaurant. of the sea life centre? Top tip is to avail Alderstead Heath with their friend and rich history need no On your final approach to Alderstead After taking refreshment in the cosy Opulent and flamboyant, Polesden yourself of Alderstead Heath’s Wi-Fi to Sue Purnell. “We’ve only been introduction, and caravanners can Heath, via narrow, twisting country lanes, tearoom or garden, spend a while exploring Lacey also enjoys a cheerful atmosphere, book online in advance and save yourself here a short while but are already L very impressed with the walking discover everything that England’s capital it is crucial to switch off your sat-nav and the slightly eccentric premises (which is but in a delightfully over-the-top, high 25% on entry to Chessington. on offer,” Jackie said. “Sue and has to offer from the comfort of a pair of follow the directions in the Directory. still not connected to mains electricity!) society kind of way. Millionaire hostess Mrs Getting into London from Alderstead I are here to help marshal the perfectly-positioned Club sites. Walking is a major draw here – indeed, before making the obligatory purchase of Greville, the estate’s last private owner, Heath is straightforward. You’ll need to Cycle Road Race Test Event for ❖ While many of us consider anything the site lies on the North Downs Way, and Fanny’s famous orange marmalade. enjoyed nothing more than lavishing drive or take a cab to Coulsdon South the Olympic Games, which within the M25 to be ‘London’, the Club’s one of the most popular strolls is to nearby Other quintessentially English days out decadent hospitality upon the royalty and station, from where frequent trains speed passes nearby the site.” 150-pitch Alderstead Heath site is about as Happy Valley. As you meander through lie on Alderstead Heath’s doorstep. gentry of her day. If costume dramas float you to London Bridge or Victoria within 20 Ordnance Survey Rod and Margaret Billington Landranger Maps 177, far removed from ‘urban’ as you can woodland, past fields of crops and hidden National Trust members will, no doubt, your petticoat, Polesden Lacey is just the minutes – alternatively, you can change at (left) are regulars at Crystal 187, 188 possibly get – this beautifully-landscaped wildflower meadows, you’ll need to make the most of their card as both place to indulge in a little private fantasy. East Croydon for direct services to East Palace. An established painter, site is surrounded by scenic woodland and remind yourself that this rural idyll is near Chartwell and Polesden Lacey are close, Should your romantic daydreams be London and the Olympic Zone. Rod’s favourite haunt is the acres of farmland. Mature trees and shrubs one of Britain’s busiest motorways. A book near Westerham and Dorking, respectively. broken by cries of “Mum, dad, I’m bored Access into the city is a little more Dulwich Picture Gallery, not just create screened-off pitching areas to give on walking in the area is on sale at the site “A day away from Chartwell is a day now!” then worry not. Nearby you will find convenient from the Club’s Crystal Palace for its collections but also the good restaurant. Margaret the illusion that this could be a grand office, but there are also plenty of free wasted,” said Sir Winston Churchill when an entire world of adventures. Chessington site, although owners of older motorhomes recommends seeking out the garden, while the new children’s play area leaflets available for casual strollers. talking about his wondrous home and World of Adventures to be precise. It’s are advised to visit tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon vibrant Brixton Market for its and an adventure playground combine to If all that fresh air and exercise builds up garden. A tour of this grand, yet friendly hard to know where to begin when or call 0845 607009 to check whether tropical foods and fresh fish. make this a great base for those with kids. an appetite, head for Merstham and house provides a fascinating insight into the exploring Chessington. Do you start with their vehicle is permitted inside the >> 18 The Caravan Club Magazine November 2011 The Caravan Club Magazine 19 CLUB SITES ALDERSTEAD HEATH & CRYSTAL PALACE Low Emissions Zone (restrictions tighten Crystal Palace INFORMATION even further in 2012). Another full-facility site, Crystal Palace SITE offers 126 pitches in attractively-secluded Full details can be found on p198 (Alderstead Heath) and p160 terraces, over half of which are (Crystal Palace) of the Sites Directory & Handbook 2011/12. To book, call 01342 327490 or see caravanclub.co.uk/ hardstanding. Booking here is highly seachandbook. recommended, especially in summer when the site is popular with overseas visitors. TOURISM You have many travel options into n Visit Surrey – call 01483 444333 or see visitsurrey.com n Visit London – call 08701 566366 or see visitlondon.com London from here. The most popular n Transport for London – a superb one-stop resource for all choice is to take the number 3 bus from your route planning needs in the capital. Why not hire a just outside the site entrance, which travels Boris Bike? See journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk. via Brixton before heading to Trafalgar Square and Oxford CYCLING Circus. Alternatively, a n From Alderstead Heath: The nearest National Cycle Network delightful 15-minute stroll DID YOU route to this site is number 21, Greenwich to Gatwick, part of KNOW? the Downs and Weald Cycle Route. through the adjoining Crystal n Palace Park leads to the local Designed by Joseph for brunch or a genuine Italian From Crystal Palace: The nearest National Cycle Network Paxton,‘Crystal the Palace’original building was route to this site is number 21, The Waterlink Way that starts railway station. 1,851ft long meal for supper, you’ll find it all in New Beckenham. You can also cycle in nearby Crystal As tempting as it might be to here, along with essentials such as a Palace Park. See sustrans.org.uk for more information on shoot off into London and enjoy the riches supermarket and Post Office. each route. on offer, it would be a travesty not to spend If you’ve brought your bikes, whizz the a day or two exploring the delights that two miles down College Hill (you’ll puff surround the site itself. The history of and pant your way back up later) and pay the Crystal Palace is fascinating, and the a visit to the Dulwich Picture Gallery, the ATTRACTIONS heritage trail lies quite literally on the first purpose-built art gallery in England. From Alderstead Heath site’s doorstep. Alternatively, the number 3 bus drops you n Walking the North Downs Way – The ‘Palace of the People’, recycled close by. This remarkable building, dating see nationaltrail.co.uk/northdowns from the original used in the Great from 1811, houses an impressive n Godstone Farm – call 01883 742546 Exhibition of 1851, was a stunning collection of Old Masters’ paintings from or see godstonefarm.co.uk iron and glass creation used as a across Europe and features legendary n Fanny’s Farm Shop, Merstham national centre for the ‘enlightenment artists such as Gainsborough and Rubens. (right) – call 01737 554444 or see fannysfarmshop.co.uk of the people’. In addition to the An admission charge is payable, but time n Chartwell, Westerham – building, the surrounding park your visit to fall on a Saturday or a Sunday Winston Churchill’s boasted one of modern man’s first afternoon and you can avail yourself of a home. Opening times forays into paleontology. free guided tour. vary. Call 01732 Some 33 life-size prehistoric Another super little trip from the site is 868381 or see animals were recreated in the to hop on the 363 bus to Horniman Park nationaltrust.org.uk n Polesden Lacey, Great gardens (the country’s first and visit the free-to-enter Horniman Bookham – opening theme park?). Museum and Gardens. The museum offers times vary. Call 01372 Sadly, the Palace was eclectic collections, namely anthropology, 452048 or see destroyed by fire in 1936, but natural history and musical instruments. nationaltrust.org.uk the dinosaurs remain and provide A modest fee is required to see the n Chessington World of a wonderful free attraction – the recently-renovated aquarium, but it’s Adventures (right) – experience has been brought money well spent. Discover what is lurking open daily Mar-Oct, variable opening bang up-to-date with interactive beneath the surface of the humble British weekends and school guides that you can download pond in addition to far more colourful holidays in the winter. Call 08716 634477 directly to your mobile phone. displays of coral and tropical fish. or see chessington.com Ten minutes’ walk from the site is ‘The Once you’ve finished exploring n RHS Wisley – open all year.