Day Walks

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How to Join a Walk

No need to book Just turn up and we will always be there to greet you whatever the weather.

Parking You are advised to arrive 15 minutes prior to the meeting time to allow for parking, putting on boots, etc, bearing in mind that we aim to set off promptly

Cost £12 full day (or 2 half-day loops); £7 half day (or 1 half-day loop); no price increase since 2008!

Further information See About the Walks

Rail travellers Please check departure times here (National Rail website). Times may change shortly before travel due to engineering works.

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Saturday 13 April                Leith Hill            7 miles

(Meet 1045 Holmwood rail station, signed Bear Green off A24 Dorking to Horsham Road. Road car parking. Rail passengers depart London Victoria 0931 arrive Holmwood 1032; for times from other stations, please click here)

Surrey’s finest walking along remote woodland tracks and quiet leafy lanes to historic hamlets. On a clear day from the majestic summit of Leith Hill you’ll be standing at the highest spot in south-east England and if you climb to the top of the tower, you can claim you’ve climbed a mountain! Superb panoramic views which on a clear day extend to London’s St Paul’s Cathedral and the Sussex coast are very impressive. You’ll also visit Coldharbour, the highest village in the south-east, with its old coaching inn still standing on what was the ‘King’s Highway’.  Lunch either at the 17th-century Plough Inn noted for its home-brewed beers or enjoy a picnic lunch at the National Trust Tower. Here you can buy sandwiches and cakes etc from Bobbie’s much loved kiosk.  (Moderate B Grade) (Finish approximately 1600; return trains to London depart 1619, arriving Victoria 1718)

Sunday 14 April        Coverwood  &  High Ashes     4, 5 or 9 miles

(Meet 1030 for the 4-mile Coverwood walk or 1415 for the 5-mile High Ashes walk, or combine the two for 9 miles, both meeting at the large Holmbury St Mary village hall car park. From Abinger Hammer on the A25,  take the B2136 for 2 miles, turning into the ‘No Through Road’ beside the Royal Oak pub car park to park at the lane end. Rail travellers depart London Waterloo 0900, arrive Guildford 0943. (Due to engineering works and bus replacement services, the route via Dorking is not recommended.) Phone 020 7233 6563 or 07760 766598 to arrange to share taxi to Holmbury St Mary at a cost of approximately £6 per person depending on numbers sharing; cost of 4-seater taxi approximately £25 one way. We can usually arrange lifts back to the station at the end of the walk.)

Coverwood  From this deep valley in the heart of the Surrey Hills, you’ll make your way along forest paths gently up to the crest of Holmbury Hill. Here in the Hurtwood you’ll find the site of an iron age hill fort, some of its ramparts still visible among the bracken. The views from the summit are superb, extending across the expansive Wealden landscape towards the South Downs. This is Surrey at its best with not a building or car in sight for miles and miles. (Moderate ‘B’ Grade) Lunch at the Royal Oak. Holmbury St Mary.

High Ashes  From the village of Holmbury St Mary, your picturesque route winds gently up through fresh green bracken beneath Beech canopies to the summit of Leith Hill. Here, on a clear day, you’ll enjoy stunning panoramas and a cup of tea at Bobbie’s kiosk and, time permitting, the option to visit the famous tower. At this time of year with luck you should see bluebells on both morning and afternoon walks.   Finish approximately 1700. (Moderate ‘B’ Grade)  (Finish approximately 1700; return trains to London 1727.)

Saturday 25 May            Shere Millenium Trail            11 miles

(Meet 1015 Gomshall rail station large free car park, just off A25 Dorking-Guildford road; the entrance is adjacent to the road tunnel under the railway. Rail travellers: depart London Waterloo 0900, arrive Guildford 0933, depart Guildford 0948, arrive Gomshall 1003 or depart Londo Victoria 0836, arrive Clapham Junction 0841, depart Clapham Junction 0852, arrive Guildford 0923, depart Guildford 0948, arrive Gomshall 1003; return trains to London 1753). Please note we have changed the departure time to take account of the train times.

A delightful traverse of Surrey’s most beautiful, remote and varied countryside, including the glorious heathland paths of the great Hurtwood, the largest area of common land in Surrey. You’ll cross the picturesque parkland of the Duke of Northumberland’s Albury Estate and visit three of Surrey’s best-loved villages: Shere, Peaslake and Holmbury St Mary. The views from Holmbury Hill and Pitch Hill will take your breath away. An early lunch after 5 miles at The Hurtwood Inn, Peaslake. Alternatively opposite the inn is the excellent Peaslake Stores, the source of all sorts of ‘goodies’ including a wide range of delicatessens, sandwiches, fruit, cakes, cups of tea, etc. (Moderate ‘B’ Grade)  (Finish approximately 1730; return trains to London 1753).

Monday 27 May           Loseley House                7 miles

Please note that the date has changed from Sunday to Bank Holiday Monday since rail services on the Sunday will be severely disrupted due to engineering works. Please especially note the train departure time from London Waterloo.

(Meet 1015 Godalming rail station car park, signed from Godalming town centre. Rail travellers direct trains from London Waterloo to Godalming, departing Waterloo 0915, arriving Godalming 1000).

A delightful route along the picturesque River Wey to the lovely village of Compton, lunching at the colourful 17th-century Withies Inn, famed for its fine food and lovely garden setting. On to splendid Loseley Park, home to the More-Molyneux family for 500 years. Here you can visit the house, explore the gardens and wild flower meadows, enjoying the peace and beauty of it all. And imagine Queen Elizabeth I on horseback galloping towards the great house with her retinue. Visit the gift shop and/or house and tearoom. Admission: £9.00 house, gardens and grounds or £8.00 concessions; or £5.00 gardens and grounds and tearoom only or £4.50 concessions. (Please note that the tearoom and shop can be visited without payment). Scenic return along the towpath of the Wey Navigation to historic Godalming with its many buildings of architectural and historical interest. Tea at Farncombe Boat House is always a treat and we highly recommend it! (Easy’A’ Grade)  (Finish approximately 1730; trains to London depart twice an hour).

Saturday 22 June        The Tower to Canary Wharf    4.5 miles

(Meet 1030 at Tower Hill Tube station exit; from Victoria Station take the circle or district line in an easterly direction for 9 stops, allowing approximately 15 minutes. From Waterloo Station, take the northern line to Embankment, 1 stop, then the circle or district line for 6 stops, allowing approximately 15 minutes.)

A stunning docklands walk with a difference with some superlative riverside scenes. You’ll see icons of London architecture such as the impressive Shard alongside the ancient Tower of London, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf. Discover the remains of small Georgian docks, the site of early fishing villages, 19th-century warehouses, now sought-after desirable upmarket residences.  Visit historic 15th-century pubs like the Prospect of Whitby, once frequented by the infamous  Captain Kidd and Judge Jefferies, and the great, the famous Samuel Pepys and Charles Dickens. This walk is not only packed with river history but you’ll enjoy see some lovely stretches of the Thames, finishing at Canary Wharf. Return by boat or tube. Lunch at the atmospheric  ‘Prospect of Whitby’ or the even older, ‘Grapes’. (Easy ‘A’ Grade).  (Finish approximately 1430. For a complete day out, you could visit the newly opened Shard for amazing views from the tallest building in Europe or choose from numerous other options.)

Sunday 23 June        Headley Heath & Mickleham Village        8 miles

(Meet 1030 at the second National Trust car park on the right from direction of Headley Village on B2033 off A24 near Leatherhead. If travelling from the M25 and A24, take Headley Road past Headley Court and keep ahead through the village to the 2nd National Trust car park on the right. If travelling from Dorking direction and travelling along Mill Way via Tyrrell’s Wood (B2033), at the T-junction at Headley, turn right to the 2nd National Trust car park on the right. Rail travellers: times not currently available; if you subscribe to our newsletter (see home page) you will be sent details nearer the time. Or please check back nearer the time or click here for National Rail website. A taxi will be waiting at Leatherhead station; to reserve a place please phone 020 7233 6563 or 07760 766598 to arrange to share taxi to Headley Heath at a cost of approximately £5 per person depending on numbers sharing; cost of 4-seater taxi approximately £18 one way. We can usually arrange lifts back to the station.)  

Delightfully varied and undulating, this very scenic route takes you across the 8000 year’s old landscapes of magnificent Headley Heath. It’s a stunning traverse with extensive views throughout. You’ll walk through the ancient yew woods of White Hill and on open downland to the lovely old medieval village of Mickleham listed in the Domesday Book. With luck you may see the magnificent-looking Highland Cattle grazing on Headley Heath. Lunch is undoubtedly a highlight at the excellent 17th-century ‘Running Horses’. (Moderate ‘B’ Grade)  (Finish approximately 1600)

Saturday 13 July            Cliveden Reach                6 miles

(Meet 1015 Cookham Moor. Cookham is north of Maidenhead on A4094. Turn left on to High Street and continue to Cookham Moor National Trust car park on right. Rail travellers depart London Paddington for Cookham via Maidenhead: times not currently available; if you subscribe to our newsletter (see home page) you will be sent details nearer the time.Or please check back nearer the time or click here for National Rail website). Accompanied 15 minute walk from station to Cookham Moor.)

An easy walk along what Jerome K Jerome described in Three Men in a Boat as ‘In its unbroken loveliness this is, perhaps, the sweetest stretch of all the river’. You’ll cross flat open meadowland and marshland with fine views across Wildbrook Common to Cliveden House, once the home of Lady Nancy Astor. It was here she hosted weekend parties for the rich and famous. On the opposite river bank nestles Spring Cottage, scene of the infamous ‘Profumo Affair’. Boulter’s Lock, where we’ve arranged lunch, and a circuit around Ray Mill Island are further fascinating highlights. Conclude with an optional visit to the Stanley Spencer Art Gallery to see his startling masterpieces inspired by Cookham, his ‘village from heaven’. Possibly tea to finish in Cookham village.  (Easy ‘A’ Grade)  (Finish approximately 1515 or 1615, depending on whether you visit the Spencer Gallery or have tea).

Sunday 14 July            Albury & Brook        4, 4 or 8 miles

(Meet 1030 for 4-mile Albury walk or 1415 for the 4-mile Brook walk, both meeting at the large car park of the Drummond Arms, Albury on the A248 off A25 between Dorking and Guildford. Rail travellers depart London Victoria for Dorking. Train times are not yet available; therefore please check nearer the time. Or click here for National Rail website. Phone 020 7233 6563 or 07760 766598 to arrange to share taxi to Albury at a cost of approximately £8 per person depending on numbers sharing; cost of 4-seater taxi approximately £35 one way. We can usually arrange lifts back to the station.)

Albury:  If you haven’t visited the beautiful conservation village of Albury before, you’ll be struck by its defining feature: Pugin’s amazing Tudor-style chimneys. You’ll enjoy the pastoral setting and the wide grassy slopes of Albury Down and from the lower slopes of St Martha’s Hill, commanding views of the surrounding hills. Our route incorporates Chilworth Gunpowder Works, once an important industrial centre. Then, quiet tree-clad tracks lead back past Waterloo Pond to historic Albury. Lunch has been arranged in the picturesque setting of The Drummond Arms. (Moderate ‘B’ Grade)  (Finish approximately 1300).

Brook:

  Another pastoral walk crossing ancient heathland to sparkling streams which once fed watercress beds, another once-important industry of the Tillingbourne Valley. On this walk you’ll enjoy more splendid views of distant hills from the beautiful Albury Heath. Albury Common, now noted for its games of cricket, was once an important gathering place for several thousand troops when they were addressed there by Field Marshall Montgomery. Steeply-banked sunken trackways lead softly back to the village. (Moderate ‘B’ Grade)  (Finish approximately 1630)

Saturday 21 September        Chilworth & Black Heath          4, 3 or 7 miles

(Meet 1045 for 4-mile Chilworth walk or 1430 for 3-mile Black Heath walk or combine the two for a longer 7-mile day walk, both meeting at the Percy Arms car park, opposite Chilworth station, on the A248 between the A25 and the A281. Rail travellers depart London Waterloo to Chilworth, via Dorking or Guildford or from Londcon Victoria via Redhill. Times not currently available; if you subscribe to our newsletter (see home page) you will be sent details nearer the time. Or please check back nearer the time or click here for National Rail website)

Chilworth:  A lovely morning walk through delightful woodlands past picturesque ponds and beside gentle streams. There’s a classic forest ascent, well worth the climb to enjoy stunning views from the summit of St Martha’s Hill. Having visited the remote chapel, there’s an easy descent to the scenic ruins of the famous old Chilworth Gunpowder Works. Here you’ll hear something of its fascinating history. Lunch has been arranged at the excellent Percy Arms. (Moderate ‘B’ Grade).

Blackheath: If you enjoy easy walking on mostly flat terrain, this is the walk for you. You’ll walk at a gentle pace through varied landscapes, following scenic paths across heather-covered heathland. Then there’s Blackheath itself, part of the great Hurtwood, always a delight at any time of year. Woodland forest tracks wind through countryside which is remote and tranquil. Unexpectedly, in the middle of the heath, you’ll find an evocative war memorial commemorating the men of this tiny village who lost their lives during the so-called ‘Great War’.   (Easy ‘A’ Grade)  (Finish approximately 16.30)

Sunday 22 September            Syon Park               4 or 8 miles

(Meet 1000 Richmond train station. Rail travellers depart London Waterloo or Clapham Junction for Richmond. Times not currently available; if you subscribe to our newsletter (see home page) you will be sent details nearer the time. Or please check back nearer the time or click here for National Rail website.)

From Richmond’s historic centre you’ll cross Richmond Green to discover Richmond palace, once home to Queen Elizabeth I. This is a walk full of varied and scenic interest, visiting the parkland and gardens of Syon Palace, once described as ‘one of the finest villas in Europe’ and home to Queen Victoria during the 1830‘s. The route takes you along a delightful stretch of the Thames Path to Kew for Lunch at The Rose & Crown beside Kew’s famous green. You’ll also encounter other waterways: The Duke of Northumberland’s River, the River Crane and the Grand Union Canal as well as grand Old Father Thames. This is a walk through history, taking in Isleworth’s Conservation Area as well as well-know old inns such as The London Apprentice. There’s been an inn on the site for 500 years and previous patrons have included King Henry VIII and Lady Jane Grey. After lunch you have several options: return by train to Richmond or visit Kew Gardens or join us for another 4 miles along the towpath and more corridors of green back to Richmond. (Easy ‘A’ Grade)  (Finish approximately 1230 before lunch or 1615 if walking back to Richmond).

Saturday 26 October        Six Acres Copse                7 miles

(Meet 1030 at large carpark at Effingham Junction rail station, off B2039 near East Horsley. Rail travellers depart London Waterloo for Effingham Junction. Times not currently available; if you subscribe to our newsletter (see home page) you will be sent details nearer the time. Or please check back nearer the time or click here for National Rail website.) 

‘If you go down in the woods today . . . ‘!  Well, you may be ‘in for a big surprise’ as we walk along former highwaymen’s routes and listen to a poem about ‘the landlord’s black-eyed daughter’! You’ll love the glorious woodlands clothed in autumn colour, remote and tranquil; here you can recharge your batteries and feel in tune with the magic of nature. We traverse Lord Lovelace’s estate, punctuated with ancient flint walls and 15 historic bridges. On this walk you’ll also encounter far-reaching vistas, an ancient Norman Church and magnificent lakes alive with waterfowl.  Lunch at the popular Plough Inn, Effingham or, if you prefer, you can buy refreshments at a nearby bakery.  (Easy/Moderate A/B Grade; virtually no gradients!)  (Finish approximately 1600; 4 trains per hour to London)