Saturday 2 AprilBrockham & Denbies4, 4 or 8 miles

(Meet 1015 for morning Brockham loop or at 1415 for Denbies afternoon loop, both meeting outside Dorking Rail Station; large station carpark. Rail travellers depart London Victoria 0901, arrive Dorking 0950 or depart Waterloo 0924, arrive Dorking 1011)  Brockham  An easy walk in gentle Wealden countryside, featuring picturesque Castle Mill, the River Mole, the Old Coach Road to Brockham, one of Surrey’s loveliest villages with its spacious village green, returning to Dorking via Deepdene and Cotmandene for lunch.  (Grade A/Easy)  Finish approximately 1245.  Denbies  A fine stretch on the North Downs above extensive vineyards with far-reaching magnificent views throughout, ancient woodland paths, gentle unspoilt countryside. Finish with tea at Denbies.  (Grade B/Moderate).  Finish approximately 1630; London trains depart 1705.

Sunday 17 April              Chipstead Valley                   7.5 miles

(Meet 1045 Chipstead rail station; from M25, Junction 8, take A217 towards Banstead, then B2032 to Chipstead. Rail travellers depart Victoria 0934, arrive East Croydon 0954, depart East Croydon 1012, arrive Chipstead 1033)  Quiet peaceful countryside, yet so close to London, a haven for wild flowers on fine chalk downland with extensive views across lovely Chipstead Valley and rolling wooded landscapes.  Return via Banstead Woods, noted for carpets of bluebells which we hope to see in bloom!  Lunch at The Well House, nestling in a beautiful valley below the hills.   (Grade B/Moderate)  Finish approximately 1600; London trains depart 1620.

Saturday 28 May            Duke’s Warren          8 miles

(Meet 1045 Wotton Hatch, Wotton, large carpark, on south side of A25 about 2.5 miles west of Dorking on the Guildford road.  Rail travellers: depart Victoria 0901, arrive Dorking 0950 or depart Waterloo 0924, arrive Dorking 1011; ‘phone June on 020 7233 6563 for taxi share)  Our new route crosses the beautiful Tillingbourne Valley to Leith Hill via lovely forest tracks past scenic weirs and ponds to a cascading waterfall and a gentle ascent along the Greensand Way to Surrey’s highest hill with panoramic views across the Weald. Lunch at the Plough, Coldharbour.  (Grade B/Moderate)    Finish approximately 1615; London trains depart 1635.

Monday 30 May                        Leigh           7 miles

(Meet 1030 Reigate rail station, off A217, Reigate Hill. Rail travellers: train times not yet available; these will be posted nearer the time)  Easy walk through gentle countryside of patchwork fields, quintessentially English, to the meandering River Mole and a scenic village sprinkled with half-timbered cottages.  Lunch at 15th-century Plough Inn, Leigh.  (Grade A/Easy)  Finish approximately 1600

Saturday 11 June                Marlow & Hurley            6 miles

(Meet 1045 at Higginson Park carpark, Pound Lane, Marlow. Rail travellers: train times not yet available; these will be posted nearer the time)  An easy level walk embracing delightful stretches of the River Thames, picturesque Temple Lock and the historic village of Bisham with its ruined Abbey and delightful hostelries. Optional tea to follow. Lunch at The Rising Sun.  (Grade A/Easy)  Finish approximately 1530

Saturday 9 July                A Walk for Diana           4 or 8  miles

(Meet 1030 Victoria Station ticket office or, for the afternoon walk only, at 1400 outside The Orangery, Kensington Palace: nearest tube High Street Kensington, 4 stops on the circle line from Victoria)  The Diana, Princess of Wales, Memorial Walk incorporates four of the most beautiful parks in the world, within sight of the famous buildings and locations associated with the Princess during her life. Lunch at The Orangery, Kensington Palace  or enjoy a picnic in the park.  (4-mile morning walk finishes approx. 1300 at The Orangery, Kensington Palace or 4-mile afternoon walk returns through the parks via a different route, arriving at Victoria Station at approximately 1630: join us either for the morning or afternoon or both.  (Grade A/easy)

Sunday 10 July                Peaslake (NEW)           7 miles

(Meet 1115 at Hurtwood Control carpark 3 at foot of Pitch Hill, 3 miles south of Shere, following signs for Ewhurst, before Windmill Inn. Rail travellers: train times not yet available; these will be posted nearer the time)  Quiet woodland tracks, perhaps a glimpse of deer, stunning hill-top views over the Weald. Lunch at The Royal Oak in the village of Holmbury St Mary.  (Grade B/Moderate)  Finish approximately 1615

Saturday 6 August    Merrow Down  8 miles

(Meet 1045 Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, on A281, parking at adjacent Millbrook carpark. Rail travellers: depart London Waterloo 0945 on the Portsmouth and Southsea train, arrive Guildford 1023; meet outside the station for accompanied walk to the theatre)  Contrasting landscapes: delightful riverside paths, enchanting woodlands, high rolling downland alive with flowers; stunning views from one of Surrey’s best-loved beauty spots. Bring picnic or kiosk refreshments available at Newlands Corner.  (Grade B/Moderate)   Finish approximately 1600.  (Return trains depart 1617, arrive Waterloo 1651)

Saturday 3 September      Box Hill Poets                7 miles

(Meet 1030 Box Hill & Westhumble rail station, Westhumble, off A24. Rail travellers: Depart London Victoria 0931, arrive Box Hill & Westhumble 0921 or depart London Waterloo 0924, arrive Clapham Junction 0932, depart Clapham Junction 0938, arrive Box Hill & Westhumble 0921; return trains to London at 28 minutes past each hour; we should arrive back at the station in good time for the 1628 train)  A literary walk of great scenic beauty and superlative views, visiting ancient Mickleham, featuring Jane Austen, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Keats and Meredith, amongst others. Snacks available at the popular National Trust kiosk or bring a picnic.  (Grade B/Moderate)  Finish approximately 1600

Sunday 4 September                Compton                    6 miles

(Meet 1045 outside Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, adjacent to Millbrook carpark on A281, following the ‘mask’ signs. Rail travellers: Depart London Waterloo 0930, arrive Guildford 1012 or depart London Victoria at 0922, arrive Clapham Junction 0928, depart Clapham Junction 0939, arrive Guildford 1012; return train at 1705, arriving Waterloo 1744)  An all-time favourite walk with changing scenes: riverside paths and meadows, woods and hedgerows, a stretch of the North Downs Way past a fine Tudor mansion. We visit the newly-restored Watts Gallery, scheduled to re-open early summer 2011. Lunch at the renowned Withies Inn, Compton.  (Grade A/Easy)  Finish approximately 1700 allowing for one hour visiting either the Watts Gallery or the grounds of Loseley House

Saturday 29 October       Ide Hill/Toys Hill        5, 4 or 9 miles

(Meet 1030 for 5-mile Ides Hill loop or 1430 for 4-mile Toys Hill loop or combine the two, both meeting at National Trust carpark, Toys Hill, between A25 at Brasted and B2042 near Four Elms, 5 miles west of Sevenoaks. Rail travellers: depart Charing Cross 0915, arrive Sevenoaks 0948; phone or email June - 020 72336563/info@country-walks.com - for seat in taxi to start of walk, approx. £3 each way per person)  Ide Hill: Descending a beautiful valley of meadow and stream, a haven of serenity, a picturesque hilltop village, a moated manor beyond and many fine views.  (Grade B)  (Finish approximately 1315)  Lunch at Fox & Hounds.  Toy’s Hill  An undulating walk crossing the greensand ridge at Kent’s highest point, with peaceful woodland paths, unspoilt hamlets and far-reaching views.  (Grade B/Moderate)  Finish approximately 1645

Sunday 6 November           Headley Heath                     5 miles

(Meet 1030 at The Cock Inn carpark, Church Lane, Headley off B2033. Rail travellers: depart London Victoria 0908, arrive Leatherhead 0958; phone or email June - 020 72336563/info@country-walks.com - for seat in taxi to start of walk, approx. £3 each way per person )  Combining the best: sweeping chalk downland, superlative views, glorious mixed woodlands and magnificent open heath.  Lunch available if required at The Cock Inn, Headley.  (Grade B/Moderate)  Finish approximately 1330

The 2012 programme of day walks will commence in April. Our subscribers will be notified by email and details will be posted on our website early in the New Year.

Denbies Vineyard

Leigh Village

Dukes Warren

Walking near Compton

Guided Day Walks in Surrey, Kent and London 2011

Dukes Warren

Scene on Headley Heath

River Mole, Brockham Walk

Chipstead Valley

River Thames near Marlow

Lunch stop, Marlow Walk

Hyde Park, London

Foxglove: Flowers of Mid-Summer

Box Hill Poets Walk

Ide Hill Walk

The 2012 programme of day walks will commence in April. Our subscribers will be notified by email and details will be posted on our website early in the New Year.