Happiness, how’d you get to be Happiness?

At the end of route 404 – which runs from Caterham-on-the-Hill to Coulsdon – there is a small side road called Downs Road. This road climbs for about a mile, taking you up and away from Coulsdon and the busy A23 below and high to Farthing Downs, a huge area of rolling grassland and woodland.

The site is the ‘most extensive area of semi-natural downland habitats remaining in Greater London’ and with Happy Valley alongside, feels straight out of a Beatrix Potter tale.

After dabbling with the idea of a trip to the Horniman Museum in Forest Hill, we decide to take advantage of the autumn sunshine and head to the Downs, which is somewhere Kel and I used to walk in the early days of our relationship.

Driving up the hill, we work out that we were last here about eight years ago, but this time of year is perfect. The sun still offers a little warmth, the trees are turning but not fallen and the air crisp. We head to Happy Valley.

Once through the woods, the trees give way to reveal Happy Valley and we climb a steep slope with the promise that Thomas can have his packed lunch when we reach the bench at the top. As he tucks into his reward, we lament our decision not to bring anything, but having spotted a pub on the map, we resolve to push on for a little longer.

There is larking, there is frolicking, there is gambolling, there is tomfoolery – all straight out of a fifties kids book and finally, after two hours, from a clearing, The Fox reveals itself as our saviour.

Shepherds pie, chocolate cake and a pint follow and suitably refuelled we head out again for the return trip as the sun begins to dip below the tree-line at the top of the valley.

The walk back to the car takes just an hour as we cut a swathe right through the bottom of the valley, but is highlighted by a spectacular fall and combat roll by Kellie as we run down a path, which is the funniest thing I’ve seen in weeks. Passing walkers chastise me for my lack of sympathy.

Back through the woods, Thomas is nearly swallowed whole by an enormous, bounding, slathering dog and suddenly the day feels like ‘We’re Going on a Bearhunt.’

Too long; didn’t read? We went for a walk and it was ace. If you’re ever at the end of route 404 and stuck for something to do, climb the hill to Farthing Downs. Of course, as soon as we are home, our perfect day reverts to normal service as Thomas takes two hours to eat his tea and we have two meltdowns before bed, but like any parents, you take what you can get. And this was bliss.

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• family
• The Fox pub
• walking