This is a pleasant not too demanding country walk suitable for the short autumn days in the North Downs south east of London. Starting from Hayes station with convenient trains from Charing Cross, we will cross attractive heath and woodland in Hayes and Keston Commons to reach the Keston Ponds, well known by local anglers. Here the River Ravensbourne starts its journey north, eventually broadening to become Deptford Creek before reaching the Thames. Climbing gently to the Southeast, we pass the Wilberforce Oak to reach deeper countryside, though we remain within the extensive bounds of the London Borough Bromley for the whole walk. We pass to the west of Downe, close to the famous Biggin Hill airfield, now one of London's smaller airports, dealing mainly with scheduled business jet and private air traffic. We then turn to the southeast and gain a rear view of Downe House, which was the home of Charles Darwin and the location of much of his naturalist study. We will then drop into a typical North Downs dry valley lying between Downe and Cudham. Climbing up steeply on the opposite side of the valley, we pass Cudham church to reach our lunch stop at the Blacksmiths Arms.

At Cudham there is an opportunity to curtail the walk and catch a bus service back to Orpington station. Anyone wanting to leave the walk here will have to be careful with the timetable as the service is not frequent (see below). The final part of the walk takes us back westwards past the small settlement of Berry's Green to reach Biggin Hill. This has a frequent bus service to Bromley South station, with some buses running via Hayes station. Bromley South has a good train service to London.