Train: Take the 9:30 AM South Western train from London Waterloo, arriving Guildford at 10:09. Return trains are at 04 and 35 past the hour.
Distance: 15.5 miles (25km) with shorter options available (see walk notes)
Difficulty: 8 out of 10
It seems the full version of this long and varied walk has not been done for a spell, so thought it was time. The walk includes lovely view points, a haunted pool, remnants of an industrial past and heathlands. There are various options to shorten the route if you prefer a less strenuous outing. More information can be found here.
The recommended lunch stop is the William IV in Little London, about 6 miles into the main walk.
Look forward to seeing you there!
T=swc.185
3 comments:
The path through the Gunpowder Mills has just reopened after some lengthy repair work, so unlike the Midweek walkers earlier this month you won't have to find an alternative route.
I'm aware that this option-heavy walk has become rather confusing so I'm going to be hiving off some of its variations into a new walk, but that won't happen before Sunday's outing.
4 familiar faces gathered outside Guildford station and spent some time looking around for others pouring out of the station -- but to no avail. So, we eventually set off.... It has been awhile since I have done this walk and I found the departure route quite a clever one avoiding the suburban streets and passing by the castle on the way to Pewley Down. We warmed right up on our climb and paused to admire the view and adjust our layering.... while doing so, another walker from the train caught us up. The 5 stayed together for the morning stretch enjoying the varied terrain (including the stretch along the gunpowder mills) in w=fine-warm-sunny-conditions-with-cooling-breeze. At the pub, 3 opted for a meal and were treated to good quality roasts in a very nicely appointed upmarket pub. One sandwicher joined us for a coffee while the other set off never to be seen again... when we were just about to set off another familiar face arrived at the bar. She had already eaten a sandwich -- so off we all set together as another 5some. We paid a visit to the St. Peter and Paul church -- very interesting with several ancient notables. On we went past the silent pool with no gin tasting.... then along the North Downs, enjoying the views at Newlands Corner and on to St. Martha's Hill where we were treated to a fundraising tea/coffee and cakes stand for greyhounds (and the church) with one charismatic individual being a wonderful advert for her breed.... After our snack, we carried on, with just one doing the complete main walk loop down to Shalford Mills with the rest of us taking the slightly more direct route back to Guildford where we all reconnected at the Weyside pub for a rehydrating beverage before catching the 18:05 back to London, armed with some supplies.... A great day out in perfect conditions for a nice long leg stretch before the days become short......
with all my rambling nearly forgot....n=6
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