Length: 13.4 km (8.3 miles). Toughness: 2/10
10:02 Portsmouth Harbour train from Waterloo (Clapham Jct 10:10), arriving Guildford at 11:04.
The fastest trains back from Guildford to Clapham Jct & Waterloo are at xx:35. There are slightly slower ones at 15:04, 17:04, etc, and also at 16:05, 18:05, etc, but the latter require a change at Woking and take about 15 minutes longer.
The Guildford trains are being diverted via Staines this Sunday with a longer journey time, but I thought this walk was still worth posting because there is free admission to the Watts Gallery on a Heritage Open Day. The nearby Watts Chapel has always been free to visit (via a tiny detour described in the directions), but it will be well worth visiting the gallery showcasing the artworks of “England's Michelangelo”, George Frederick Watts.
The standard outward route to Compton is a low-level route via the River Wey and the North Downs Way, although anyone wanting a more strenuous outing could opt for the alternative start, a ridge walk along the Hog's Back. The return route is via Loseley Park with views of its impressive house, again finishing alongside the River Wey. However, the published route via Millbrook footbridge has been unavailable since a weir collapsed in 2019 (although repair work is finally taking place), so at both the beginning and end of the walk you have to make a five-minute detour along a main road.
If it's not too crowded then in return for free admission it would be commendable to patronise the Watts Gallery café for lunch. The main alternative is the popular Withies Inn a little further on, but this is also likely to be busy and you'll probably need to book a table in advance if you want to be sure of getting Sunday lunch there. If neither of these places can oblige it's not too far back to Guildford where you'll find plenty of choice for a late lunch or tea'n'cake.
Please bring the directions from the L=2.12.a page. #2026-09-20T11:05
1 comment:
#10 got to Guildford by various routes, including one who decided to do the Hogs Back route and was not seen again by me, although I believe she caught up on some back markers from the NDW walkers and later continued back to Guildford without detouring to the Withies.
When we got to Watts Gallery there was a major dispersal of the rest of us with some going straight into the gallery and others pursuing different lunch options. There was some confusion about getting into the gallery as a ticket was required even though entry was free. However, at least seven went round before or after lunch at the cafe or elsewhere. The gallery was not extensive and the selection of works less wide-ranging than on my previous visit so I was grateful for the tip about the open day.
I think two dallied to check out the Watts's nearby house. I proceeded to the Withies Inn where I met two others who had also looked at Watts Chapel. Two more were dining inside and we were joined by a kindly benefactor for more refreshments before heading back to Guildford - or Farncombe in the case of the two diners. Even our small remaining group displayed poor cohesion on the way back as we headed for the limited return transport options. I hope they (and everyone) got home OK because when I got to Guildford station there were lots of announcements about cancellations.
Thanks Sean for spotting the open day, a good opportunity to check out the Watts Gallery properly instead of walking past as usual. Oh, and it was #sunny-all-day.
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