Shere Delights, Heathland & River Wey Views | Free Hike | 25 km (15.5 mi)

📈 Grade: 🥾🥾🥾 Level 3/5 (Easy to Moderate)
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🧠 How it will feel
Regular hikers → Comfortable to moderately challenging
Casual walkers → Moderately challenging because of the distance
Newcomers → Challenging
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Join us for a scenic Sunday walk from Horsley to Guildford, passing through woodland, open countryside, heathland and historic Surrey villages.

The route begins at Horsley railway station and heads through the surrounding countryside towards West Horsley and Sheepleas, an attractive area of woodland and open heathland. We then continue through the Surrey Hills National Landscape and Hurtwood before descending towards the historic village of Shere.

Shere was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 and is known for its historic streets, timber-framed cottages, traditional buildings and attractive riverside setting. We will take an extended lunch break here, giving you time to explore the village, enjoy a picnic beside the river, visit a pub, café or cake shop, use the local facilities and, most importantly, enjoy some tasty ice cream.

After lunch, the route continues through woodland and across Blackheath Common, part of which is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of its rare heathland habitat and wildlife. We then make our way through the Surrey countryside towards Shalford, passing through the peaceful Shalford Water Meadows before joining the River Wey.

The walk finishes in Guildford town centre, where regular direct trains run to London Waterloo. Those who wish to stay longer can enjoy a quick drink in one of the town’s local pubs.

Although the route is not particularly hilly, it does include some gradual climbs and descents. The walk is not especially strenuous, but the distance and varied terrain require a reasonable level of fitness.

This is a steady 25 km walk through varied terrain, including woodland paths, heathland, fields, village lanes and riverside trails.
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OVERVIEW
📏 Distance: 25 km (approximately 15.5 miles)
🥾 Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
📈📉 Elevation: Approximately 328 m ascent and descent
🚶 Pace: 4.5 to 5.5 km/h. This is a steady pace, not a race but not a leisurely stroll.
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MEETING POINT AND TIMINGS
📍 09:40 at the entrance to Horsley railway station (W3W: ///gear.change.forms)
▶️ The hike will start once check-in is complete.
Finish: approximately 16:30 in Guildford town centre
⏱️ Estimated moving time: 5.5 hours
🕒 Estimated total duration: 6.5 hours, including breaks and regrouping stops
Times are approximate and may vary depending on the group’s pace, breaks and trail conditions.
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📍 OPTIONAL LONDON GROUP TRAVEL
08:00 – Meet at the London Waterloo ticket office
08:15 – Walk to the platform
08:32 – Train departs London Waterloo
09:27 – Arrive at Horsley

You can purchase a return ticket from London Waterloo to Guildford via Horsley. The fare is approximately £12.05 with a Network Railcard or group discount, or £18.10 without a discount.

For the return journey, direct trains run from Guildford to London Waterloo approximately every 30 minutes.
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🚗 BY CAR
Parking is available at Horsley station and Guildford station. Please check parking restrictions and charges before travelling.
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🍽️ FOOD AND FACILITIES
We expect to reach Shere at approximately 11:30–12:00.
The village has pubs, cafés, shops, public toilets and other facilities. Please bring a packed lunch, as the extended break will take place in or around the village.
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🎒 WHAT TO BRING

• Packed lunch and snacks
• At least two litres of water, or more in hot weather
• Proper hiking boots or shoes with good grip
• Weather-appropriate layers and waterproofs
• Sun protection
• A fully charged phone
• Personal medication and basic first-aid supplies
• Optional trekking poles
• A smile, good vibes and a sense of adventure
• More snacks than you think you need

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✅ WHO CAN JOIN

• Adults aged 21 and over
• No children
• No pets

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📅 RSVP AND ATTENDANCE
Please RSVP only if you genuinely plan to attend. If you can no longer make it, cancel as early as possible so that someone else can join.

A no-show means that you RSVP but do not attend, or cancel shortly before or after the start time. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations without a valid reason may lead to removal from the group.

The organiser may prioritise members with a reliable attendance history when allocating places from the waitlist. Members with a history of no-shows or frequent last-minute cancellations may receive lower priority.

If you are on the waitlist and genuinely intend to attend, you may confirm this in writing directly with the event host.
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👣 GROUP PACE AND PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES
This is a social group hike, and everyone is expected to stay with the group rather than rushing ahead or falling behind.

Please keep the group in sight and remain within a reasonable distance, as a back marker may not always be present. Faster walkers should wait at junctions, and organisers may stop at suitable points for regrouping.

If you choose to leave the group structure or continue at a significantly different pace, you will be considered to be hiking independently and will be responsible for your own route and safety.

By attending, you agree to follow these guidelines.
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🚪 EXIT POINTS
Shere: Call a taxi or catch a bus. Gomshall railway station is approximately a 20-minute walk away.
Around 15 km: Leave the route and walk to Chilworth railway station.
Around 19 km: Leave the route and walk to Shalford railway station.
Please check transport availability before relying on an exit point.
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📞 CONTACT
For questions, please message the event host via Meetup.
On the day of the walk, you may contact AdrianB via WhatsApp on +44 (0) 7438 812 663.
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⚠️ DISCLAIMER
By joining this event, you confirm that you have read and accepted the group policy on the About page.
You are responsible for your own safety. Neither the host nor the group can be held liable for any injury, loss or damage.