Length: 13.6 km (8.5 miles)
Toughness: 6 out of 10 a steep ascent out of city centre, remainder of walk 2 out of 10
London Waterloo: 10-30 hrs South Western service to Portsmouth Harbour; does NOT stop at Clapham Junction; Woking: 10-55 hrs
Arrive Guildford: 11-02 hrs
Clapham Junctioners
Clapham Junction: 10-27 hrs South Western service from Waterloo to Exeter St Davids
Arrive Woking: 10-45 hrs Change trains
Leave Woking: 10-55 hrs South Western service to Portsmouth Harbour (as above)
Arrive Guildford: 11-02 hrs
Return
Guildford to Waterloo: fast services at 01, 21, 34 and 49 mins past the hour
Today's walk starts with a climb up a steep road to a grassy plateau above the city. Your reward for this hard work is a panoramic view of the city and its cathedral below you. On top you will be relieved to know you have had your main exercise for the day as the going for the rest of the day is relatively easy. You drop down a steep path to eventually connect with a section of the North Downs Way which you follow through woodland into the village of Compton. Here you find Watts Gallery, with its excellent cafeteria for those wanting an early lunch (there is an entry charge to the art gallery but entry is free to the cafeteria) and down the road, Watts Chapel, well worth a visit for those new to this walk: there is no entry charge. For those who prefer a pub lunch, you continue through a stud farm then through woodland to the far side of Compton, where you come to the Withies Inn, a favourite with SWC walkers and usually very good. 'Phoning ahead with numbers, or booking a few days before, is recommended (for the comfy bar area, not the restaurant) 01483-421158 your e.t.a today is 1 pm.
After lunch at the Withies, you walk through Losely Park, then down an access road past the Surrey Police HQ, to the banks of the River Wey. You now follow the river back to Guildford. Tea can be taken in the pleasant cafe area / foyer to the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. You also have a good choice of pubs in the city centre for those who like a libation or tincture at walk-end.
Today's walk might be short in length but it is highly enjoyable - recommended.
T=2.12
Walk Directions are here: L=2.12
11 comments:
Will this follow the written route on website. I might be able to join after working in the earlier morning?
Yes Gavin, it will.
Unfortunately, I will not be able to join you today as I have to attend a funeral in the morning. But I should be back in harness the following week (and on the Whitchurch walk this Saturday).
Hi Marcus,
Thankyou. I'm not sure whether I can make it, will try.
Commiseration with you for the funeral, if that is the best word!
Hi Marcus,
Thankyou. I'm not sure whether I can make it, will try.
Commiseration with you for the funeral, if that is the appropriate word!
Hi, route says Guildford Circular, but GPS says Farnham
Southern Explorer - if you open the written, on-line Directions by clicking on them, you will see that Guildford Circular with the Hog's Back start is a variation of Guildford to Farnham, a longer walk. I believe the GPS directions for the circular walk are on the website.
Some apps (such as outdoor active) don't show all the options on our gpx files.
All the more reason to have a copy of the latest written directions in your back pack - far more reliable than routes shown on hand-held gizmos !
16 set off from Guildford station, with 2 more joining for part of the walk later on, so #18 in total. The weather improved as we climbed up onto the Hogs Back, and it was warm and sunny enough for shorts and T-shirt by lunchtime.
About half the group enjoyed excellent service and food at the Withies Inn, whilst others had a picnic lunch in the warm sunshine. Not sure if anyone went to the Watts Gallery.
The afternoon stroll through Losely Park was very pleasant, but the path along the River Wey was closed on the west bank, so that we had to double back and cross over to the over side.
In all a lovely early autumn outing, and probably the best weather we'll see until the spring!
Thanks to Marcus for posting.
Think the number can be safely rounded up to 20.
I joined just along the A31 and found one of the three or four paths up to easily find the bulk of the walkers.
Indeed by taking bus 46 (hourly, goes to Watts Gallery) or 65 bus (half hourly) to Farnham Road Opp The Drive, Guildford, ie round corner from Station. Then get off after a mile or so, or as needed. Or taxi, about £7
And I saw another late starter.
4 of us went for beers afterwards to up to three pubs (guess who!).
n=20
w=overcast-at-first-then-warm-and-sunny
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