A COPSE walk to the Isabella Plantation and Richmond Park to see the surreal and psychedelic wonders of the blooming Azalea bushes. If you have never seen the Azaleas, then it is definitely worth a trip. If you have seen them, then I imagine that you would want to see them again. It’s quite a short season in bloom, so if you miss it, you need to wait another year.

Assemble at East Croydon Station at 09:40 for the 09:52 train to Clapham Junction, then the 10:21 from Clapham Junction to Norbiton arriving 10:37. From Norbiton, we will walk up to and through the park to the Plantation (direct route around 30 minutes), and then around a 1 hour walk over to Richmond. We may take a more scenic route with stops which will add to these walking times. There are frequent trains back from Richmond to East Croydon. Richmond riverside might be worth passing on the way home.

There is an alternative option to drive, with parking in the park near to the plantation at “Spankers Hill” car park or to cycle over from Croydon, approx 10 miles. Meet the walkers at Isabella Plantation at 11:30am.

Also options to cycle over, around 10 miles from Croydon.