Length: 13.6 km (8.5 miles)
Toughness: 6 out of 10 One very strenuous climb up onto the Hog's Back Remainder of walk: 2 out of 10
London Waterloo: 10-00 hrs SouthWestern service to Guildford Does NOT stop at Clapham Junction Woking 10-25 hrs
Arrive Guildford: 10-33 hrs
Clapham Junctioners
Clapham Junction: 09-57 hrs SouthWestern service (from Waterloo) to Salisbury
Arrive Woking: 10-15 hrs Change trains
Leave Woking: 10-25 hrs SouthWestern service to Guildford (as above)
Arrive Guildford: 10-33 hrs
Return
Guilford to Waterloo: SouthWestern fast services at 05, 19 and 49 mins past the hour
SouthWestern stopping services at 04, 34 and 45 mins past the hour
A nice short walk today, with a good steep ascent at the very start, which will more than remove the previous night's cobwebs. But once on top of the Hog's Back, the views below are magnificent - and almost worth the knackering effort !
From the Hog's Back we drop down to the North Downs Way which we follow into Compton, where we find Watts Gallery and Watts Chapel. There is a pleasant cafe in the former. On then through a farm and along woodland to the far side of Compton and the excellent Withies Inn, the suggested lunch stop. Booking ahead is advisable - 01483-421158 - your e.t.a is 12-30 pm.
After lunch we walk through Losely Park - a good picnic stop - to come out beside the River Wey, for a relaxing walk along its tow path all the way into Guildford. For walk-end refreshment stops see the Directions.
T=2.12
Walk Directions are here: L=2.12
7 comments:
Hi, how long roughly is the climb?
Seems forever but probably no more than fifteen minutes. It's the only climb on today's walk so do enjoy it ! ? !
I have booked a table for 4, at the Withies for 12:30, i.e. Joanna and I plus whoever would like to dine inside. I did not want to book for more than 4 as not sure of demand.
I'm up for lunch if place still available. Thanks
n=22 of us assembled outside Guildford railway station, although we might have "lost" two on the climb up to the Hog's back. Once on top we were greeted with some thin, slippery mud which was a bit treacherous to walk on although, thankfully, no-one took a tumble. After our descent from the upper plateau we enjoyed walking on sandy, mud-free bridleways all the way to Compton. No-one opted to visit Watts Gallery or Watts Chapel today, so most of us continued to the Withies Inn, where fourteen of us had lunch in the pub's comfortable informal bar area, and most of us enjoyed the fare on offer and the excellent choice of draught beers. The pub was empty when we arrived at 12-15 pm, which was of some concern, but come 1 pm the pub was full, so there was no need to be concerned for this lovely pub's viability. Four of the picnickers joined us for drinks in the pub and I believe the others enjoyed their lunches in the picnic area next to the pond in Losely Park.
The weather at the start of the day was w=mild-with-hazy-sunshine-turning-to-lovely-sunshine-after-lunch. In fact, conditions were most pleasant if not ideal for a winter's walk.
Eighteen of us left the Withies Inn together and the easy walk through Losely Park in the afternoon sunshine was delightful. On reaching the River Wey we encountered a number of families out enjoying the weather and a few other walkers. On arriving in Guildford shortly after 3 pm some opted to continue their walk by 2 to 3 miles by walking up to Chantry Wood before returning to Guildford. Some nine of us who were suitably sated by the day's walk had tea in the comfortable Yvonne Arnaud Theatre cafe, and very pleasant, too. Fast trains then took us back to London.
We enjoyed a lovely day in fine weather and the best of SWC company.
More, please !
Thanks to all for welcoming me, a first-timer, to yesterday's walk. And thank you to Marcus, too, for posting the details here.
Friendly company and great weather after midday made the walk a great experience. Lunch at the 400-year-old pub was a nice warm and cozy break, as well.
If you're keen to promote the Walking Club and attract new members, you might consider posting walks to this forum: https://www.reddit.com/r/LondonSocialClub/
I myself stumbled on the Walking Club website from someone casually mentioning it there. And I know there are 10s of 1000s of people in the London area that are active on this forum and would be interested in a walk.
In any case, I hope to join you all again for another walk in the next 2 weeks.
- JohnN
Thanks for your comment, John, but I'm sorry I forgot to mention in my walk report we had one first timer today - your goodself !
I'm glad you enjoyed the walk and we look forward to seeing you on another SWC walk.
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