Meet at Guildford station for a 10:15 start. If coming from Reading, take the 9:32 departure (9:41 Wokingham), which arrives at Guildford at 10:07. If the train is delayed, the start of the walk will be too.
Join me this Bank Holiday Monday, as I recce my walk for NYR2018!
We quickly leave the urban landscape of Guildford behind us, and find ourselves walking along the tranquil Wey Navigation. As we start out along the Wey, look out for the Alice in Wonderland sculpture!
We cross the Wey Navigation and join the North Downs Way National Trail. We briefly leave the North Downs Way, to walk through the Chantries wood. After rejoining the North Downs Way, we ascend steadily to St Martha’s Hill, where we will be rewarded with fine views on a clear day.
Continuing along the North Downs Way, we head to Newlands Corner, and more fine views. We will stop for lunch, before a steady descent to the Silent Pool – a spring-fed lake. When Agatha Christie disappeared in December 1926, it was feared she had drowned in the Silent Pool, after her abandoned car was found in Newlands Corner! Water from the pool is now used in the production of Silent Pool Gin.
We will then head to the pretty village of Shere, which features in the 2006 film, The Holiday. Here, there’s a choice of 2 pubs and also a fantastic ice cream shop.
After we are suitably refreshed, we continue on our way, passing through woodland and open countryside. We will make our way back to Guildford via the viewpoint at Pewley Down and the keep of Guildford Castle.
Possible pub stop at end of walk. Trains back to Reading every half hour.
Sat Nav: GU1 4UT or 51.2369,-0.5803
Grid Ref: SU992496