The first question is: why is Warlingham even in the OPZ? (Context here.) As with many bus routes in the 4xx range, the 403 started out as a regional route, transferred to London operations in 1989. Back then, it ran from Cheam to Tatsfield via Warlingham, until 1994 when it was cut back to run from West Croydon to Chelsham Common, before being trimmed back to Warlingham.
As such, I embarked on the trip without much clue what Warlingham entailed, and off I went. Note that I went on this trip before my exams, so any local description might be limited, yet I still have the photos to prove I was there.
The first place outside London en route is Hamsey Green, a small village which is half Croydon, half Tandridge, though Wikipedia calls it a "quasi-village", whatever that means. There isn't much to it - just a small pond obscured by a fence, which lies within the Croydon half (yet only since the 90s), and various schools on the Tandridge side. If not for the Croydon signage, all purple with their coat of arms, you wouldn't even know you'd left London.
Further down Limpsfield Road, which is the road the 403 takes and which is the main way in, you'll find Warlingham RFC, the local rugby union side. I decided to wander by their grounds on a whim as I was leaving Warlingham, but this didn't prevent me from being asked by someone why I was there. I explained I arrived to photograph the pitch, which I did albeit I'm not exactly sure why. Their latest campaign wasn't the most impressive, though, finishing last in the Counties 3 Surrey.
.HEIC)
Further south still is the village centre of Warlingham, with a war memorial in the square, signified by a statue of a soldier with rifle in hand, along with Union Jack bunting throughout the area. This is in combination with a larger Union Jack behind the memorial, and when I visited, it had recently been VE Day, which is why I assume there may have been the bunting; otherwise it makes for a nice show of patriotism. Indeed, Warlingham was one of the sites of the Battle of Britain in World War 2, owing to its position between two RAF bases in Kenley and Biggin Hill - British air forces would intercept German planes flying through Warlingham. Several servicemen are buried in the churchyard of the local All Saints' Church, and you can read about them here.
Aside from the town square, that's...it, really. Warlingham is a charming village, but it's understandably not an entertainment hub - don't go here for clubbing. There is the local library as well, along with various pubs, most notably the historic looking White Lion, which I didn't photograph. However, there is a local Italian restaurant which has charming brick and stone walls:
Nature-wise, there is the Blanchman's Farm Local Nature Reserve, just off the main road, a twenty-five acre space with long-grassed fields, where I spotted some dogwalkers milling about the area. The site has been used since 1584, initially as a farm, though little evidence remains of this and the farm stopped operating in 1945. By 2006, it had been certified as a local nature reserve, and like most, it's rather non-descript but pleasant nonetheless.
I also visited Willy Pit Pond, which I could hardly see.
The 403 doesn't quite stop by the green - it continues down to the local Sainsbury's, likely as there's a roundabout it can use to turn around - but the rest of the route isn't much. Beyond this terminus, however, is unfiltered, unrestricted nature. Woldingham is to the south, though to get there you need to circumnavigate a large golf club, or go round via Whyteleafe. Tatsfield required a lengthy trek through fields, and Titsey is much the same, before the M25 stops any further progress.
Now, rail anoraks may wonder why I haven't mentioned the railways yet - it's practically tradition for me to have done so by now. The reason is that whilst Warlingham does have a station - Upper Warlingham - it's too distant to be of any practical use. It's on the other side of the road to Whyteleafe station, for context. However, Upper Warlingham does make Warlingham almost a double member of the OPZ - beyond here, towards Woldingham and the like, Oyster is invalid, though I wouldn't recommend bothering with the train.
Warlingham is itself a pleasant village, far enough from London to feel detached, yet close enough to not be too lonely. Surrounded by greenery, I suppose it's more comforting to trekkers making their way through the North Downs than it is to students using the last few months of their Oyster cards.
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