Waverley Abbey, The Witch Cave & Leafy Surrey Intermediate 21km Hike
Details
Overview
Explore Waverley Abbey, Mother Ludlam's Witch Cave & historic Surrey landmarks on a 21 km hiking day trip from London Waterloo
Join us for a 21km guided hike through some of Surrey's most interesting historic and scenic landscapes. Starting in Farnham, we'll explore Mother Ludlam's Cave, visit the ruins of Waverley Abbey, stop at the ancient Tilford Oak, and walk through the heathland and lakeside scenery of Frensham Little Pond.
Along the way, we'll share the stories, history and folklore behind these locations while enjoying woodland trails, open countryside, tranquil waters and some of Surrey's most photogenic views. From medieval ruins and ancient trees to picturesque ponds and rolling countryside, this route offers a great mix of history, nature and good company, all within easy reach of London.
### Logistics
📍 Start/End point: London Waterloo Station
🗓 When: Sunday, 19 July 2026 - meeting at 8:40AM, walking to train at 8:50 to catch the 9am trail. Estimated return to London at approximately 7:30PM (we will travel together, so please ensure you can commit for the full day)
💷 Cost: £31 (includes return train tickets + guided hike)
### 🌿 What We’ll See Along the Way
Our route includes several of Surrey's most fascinating historic and natural sites:
- Mother Ludlam's Cave – a natural sandstone cave linked to local folklore and medieval history
- Waverley Abbey – ruins of the first Cistercian abbey founded in England in 1128
- Tilford Oak – one of Surrey's oldest and most celebrated trees
- Frensham Little Pond – a medieval pond created by monks and now surrounded by beautiful heathland
### 📏 Hike Details
Distance: Approx. 21km (13 miles)
Elevation gain: Approx. 260m
Estimated duration: 6 hours (including breaks)
Difficulty level: Intermediate - some hills and nature paths
### About Us
- Group stats: mixed gender, typically ages 20s-40s
- Our hikes usually attract 10-15 people and often sell out quickly.
- You can find pictures of our past hikes on Instagram
While the meeting point is Waterloo station, we'll email you a link to a WhatsApp group 3 days in advance via Eventbrite for 'on the day' logistics and questions.
### What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
- Water (1.5-2L recommended)
- Snacks/lunch
- Weather-appropriate layers and waterproofs
- Sun protection / hat
- A sense of adventure
Come solo or bring friends. Many of our hikers join alone and leave having made new friends.
### 🍻 Post-Hike Pub Stop
We’ll finish near Farnham station and stop at a local pub for a celebratory drink before returning to London.
### Legal Bit
Event details are correct at the time of publishing (E&OE) and organised by Trail Therapy Ltd. Routes and timings may vary slightly depending on weather, conditions, or group pace. Participation is at your own risk — please ensure you’re suitably prepared, dressed appropriately for the weather, and responsible for your own safety and wellbeing throughout the walk.
Q&A
Q: It's my first event - can I join?
A: Yes! Everyone is welcome. We often have new people join our group so don't worry about coming alone!
Q: What shoes should I wear?
A: Good walking shoes, hiking boots or waterproof trainers in case of rain. We don't recommend wearing new shoes to this event, but wear suitable walking shoes that you will be comfortable walking 21km in.
Q: How challenging is the walk?
A: This is an intermediate walk with some hills and elevation. No massive hills, but it is a long walk.
Q: Can I come alone?
A: Of course! Majority of our hikers come on their own. It's a fantastic way to make new friends.
Q: Do I need to bring food?
A: Yes. Please bring lunch, snacks, and enough water for the day.
Q: What is the refund policy?
A: Due to non-refundable fees we incur when tickets are purchased, we cannot offer refunds. If you can no longer attend, your ticket is transferable. Feel free to give or sell it to a friend and let us know their name so we can update our records and WhatsApp group