Many SWC walkers will have known Sylvia Cummins whose anniversay is this week. She loved walking in Kent, Surrey and Sussex and this walk was one of many that she enjoyed.
Length: 15.6 km (9.7 miles). Optional longer morning route via Albury Park 18.0km (11.2 miles) Toughness ~3/10
London Bridge 10:15 Thameslink Brighton service, change at Redhill for the 11.00 Reading service and ariving at Gomshall at 11.21
or
10:30 London Waterloo Guildford service, change at Guildford for the 11.13 Redhill service, ariving at Gomshall at 11.30
There are several trains from Guildford to London Waterloo each hour (click for details).
Buy a return to Gomshall (via "any route permitted" to be valid for journeys via Guildford or Redhill)
Leaving Gomshall you are soon in the pretty village of Shere. On through Albury Park where an optional (2.4km, 1.5 mile) longer morning route takes a loop through the park instead of going along its edge. This takes you past an unusual Catholic Apostolic Church built for a new religious movement which originated in England in 1832. This is not open to the public, but in the middle of the parkland you can visit an unusual and interesting old Saxon Church. After lunch in Albury Heath, the walk continues through the open expanses of Blackheath Common before heading into woodland until you come to the River Wey where you follow the river into Guildford.
Lunch. The William 1V pub in Little London 01483 202685 serves good food and good beer. Best to phone ahead as it is popular. The best picnic spot is just before the pub on Albury Heath.
For post walk refreshment, there's a cafe in the foyer of the Yvonne Arnauld Theatre, a variety of cafe's in Guildford town centre (including GAIL's Bakery, on Tunsgate) and a choice of pubs on the route towards the railway station.
For full details and to download your copy of the directions see the L=1.14 web page.
6 comments:
really would have loved to do this walk..alas arthitic knee is stopping me ..
#11 of the train with the Redhill contingent kindly waiting for those via Guildford, joined by two more in Shere by car making #13 in total. The weather was showers_some_heavy_with_sunny_intervals. After Shere, there was a debate about the main route or the optional extension through Albury Park, those in favour of the extension won us over and we all visited the Norman Church in the park. The deconsecrated church now stands alone as the Drummond Family moved the villagers out of the park to the 'new' Albury. Having taken the longer option we were disappointed to find the William IV closed. We later found out that it has ceased trading despite a welcoming live website. An octagonal (smokers?) hut enabled us to get maps out in the rain and plan a diversion to the Drummond Arms, the Tillingbourne gun powder mills and the Wey navigation back to Guildford. The Drummond Arms was busy but managed to find an outside (but undercover) table for seven. Highlights included a 'free' glass of wine with the vegetarian option, and real cream and Smarties with the coffee all severed with efficient charm despite the pub being rammed full. We opted out after lunch as I was recovering from a cold (the standard punishment for traveling by air), I believe two got the bus to Guildford and I assume the rest walked on. For me a short but enjoyable day out.
OK so Goolge does say the William IV is permanently closed, but the pubs own website is still up!
The closure of the William IV is a bit of a blow. It’s always been really busy when I’ve been there; the last time less than a year ago
We counted 14 at the station so we can make that #16 in total, inclding the two who joined at Shere.
The William IV pub is currently up for sale. It would be nice if it were to remain a pub under it's new owners.
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