Walking in Surrey (WiSy)

The postcode to use is GU3 3DX

https://what3words.com/cheaply.unclaimed.woods

The nearest train stations are Guildford and Wanborough

A beautiful, quiet, in part scenic, circular walk of 6.5/7 miles from Guildford to Normandy which I only discovered recently and if you like my walks, you will like this one.

We start from Wood Street Village green which is a lovely part of Guildford, pass a very nearby pub and across a cricket pitch into some woods. Virtually the whole walk is through woodland, open countryside and farmland and when I did the recci on 21st March, I saw 5 different wild deer which was wonderful and a great bonus.

I have allowed 3 hours but hopefully we will return a little earlier.

There are several short slopes and stiles as well and although it is likely to be dry underfoot for almost all of the walk, there may be a couple of wet spots so boots are recommended.

A couple of scenic spots as well so if you are up for a longer walk than normal and a harder challenge than you normally encounter, you should thoroughly enjoy this one and the pub is really very nice as well.

NO DOGS AND £4 PLEASE.

If you are late or lost call me on 07395 004461 and if you are just a few minutes late, you should be able to catch up quite easily.

Mike

See the instructions below about finding the starting point.

The postcode to use is PO8 0QD

https://what3words.com/jumbo.effort.yield

Every time since adulthood I have passed by Butser Hill, the highest point on the South Downs, I have wanted to get to the top. 2 of us did exactly that on 26th October last year whilst doing a circular 7.5 mile walk (we did 8.5 unfortunately), which took us through a part of the Queen Elizabeth Country Park, a few open fields, through woodlands and if we are lucky, the bluebells will be out in the woods. It was just after storm Babet with all of that rain but we were hardly inconvenienced by puddles or mud.

After a short while we encounter a 1100 yard hill, most of which is fairly shallow but 250 yards are steep. What took us 15 minutes will take longer with a group and the views as you rise just get better and better and at the top there is a beautiful panoramic view of the whole surrounding area, so well worth the climb. After that it is a shortish walk to the refreshment roundhouse where you can get a tea/coffee to take with you and use the toilets.

Ever onwards but in places there are rough flinty paths, so wear sensible footwear with decent soles. We see more sheep and lovely scenery as we follow a high ridge with farms and then woodlands for a while with a few undulations, some of which are not long but annoying. Towards the end is the bluebell woods and then back to the pub for a deserved rest and refreshments.

The pub food is not cheap but using this starting point saves the parking charges in the Queen Elizabeth Country Park (£5 for 4 hours, £9 for longer). I will book a table depending upon the interest but you can see the menu at
www.thehampshirehog.co.uk

NO DOGS AND £4 PLEASE.

You can call me on 07395 004461 if you are late or lost.

I WILL HAVE AT LEAST 2 PLACES IN MY CAR AND IF YOU ARE HAPPY TO TAKE SOMEBODY ALONG, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

STARTING POINT

For those coming down the A3 south, it is 40 miles each way from the Cobham turn off and shortly after you pass the Queen Elizabeth Country Park, take the next turning left and go back on the A3 and very soon take the first turning off the A3 and the pub is there to see.

Mike

ONCE YOU APPROACH WALTON BRIDGE IGNORE YOUR SATNAV. THIS CAR PARK HAS NOT GOT A POSTCODE. SEE THE MAP BELOW. The best and nearest I can find which will get you on the approach to the bridge is KT12 1AR.

what3words store.elite.agenda

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=509285&y=166353&z=110&sv=509285,166353&st=4&ar=y&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf&dn=851&ax=509285&ay=166353&lm=0

If you join me on this 4.5/5 mile flat circular walk, I will show you a couple of Blue Plaques, an old Manor House, part of the town centre, an interestingly named island, a long lake, some nice fields and horses, and of course, the Thames as we circle Desborough Island.

As we are by water much of the way, if the sun is out it is glorious, so fingers crossed for the weather and a good turn out from yourselves.

We start from a FREE car park with a cafe and toilets which will hopefully be open, and go into town and alongside a lovely lake and onto the Thames and around Desborough Island and back to the car.

Once we return at 8pm ish you can join me and Lynn for an evening in Bagster House where an excellent four piece band (Backtrack) will be playing from 8.30 until around 11.15. In their break, you can play bingo or have a go at the raffle. You can also order some baked potatoes, hot dogs and a couple of other items and I can let you know that later. You can drive to the club in 2 minutes or walk in 5-10 minutes from Cowey Sale. I have 20 tickets available.

NO DOGS AND £4 PLEASE, £10 IF YOU WANT THE ENTERTAINMENT AS WELL. YOU WILL NEED TO PAY THE £10 IN ADVANCE IF YOU ARE DOING THAT.

I am not sure where the sat navs will take you, but basically, if you approach the bridge from Walton town centre, just as you are about to cross the bridge, Walton Lane is on your left, signposted to Cowey Sale and the car park is about 250 yards away. If you accidently cross the bridge, go round the mini roundabout and come back on yourself and turn right straight after crossing the bridge.

You can call me on 07395004461 if you get lost or are late. You can ask almost anyone when near as they will know where the bridge is. You can also easily catch up if you are a couple of minutes late.

Mike

The postcode to use is GU3 1AR

https://what3words.com/occur.finalists.tulip

PLEASE PARK ON THE STREET WHERE THERE IS NORMALLY LOTS OF FREE PARKING ALTHOUGH YOU MAY BE A FEW HUNDRED YARDS AWAY.

A first for this group as I have not done it for at least 7 years.

It will be a 6 mile circular walk and very soon we go through an extensive hop field which will be nearing the picking date. Then it is a walk along a very quiet lane and onto Puttenham common where we will be for about an hour and then we make our way back through some lovely fields and hopefully into the pub.

It is an undulating walk with several climbs and descents but they are not too bad and you should all be able to manage them if you normally do my walks.

I checked it out in November 2023 after lots of rain and it was reasonably dry apart from one large puddle which I hope will be a lot drier after a hopefully hot spring. I have also told Surrey County Council about it and who knows, they might even put a boardwalk across it. So bring some boots with you and I will tell you at the start of the walk if they are advisable.

So it is a lovely walk that I recommend and hope to see lots of you.

NO DOGS AND £4 PLEASE.

You can call me on 07395 004461 if you are late or lost.

Mike