Walk Programme

Sat 22 Aug 2026: A SILENT MAKEOVER (*PUB LUNCH NOW FULL*) (12.5miles)

A re-working of my Silent Pool walk that I lead most years. If you walked with me in November 2025, you will recall the start point was hastily rearranged due to the sky high parking fees at Silent Pool. I promised then that I would re-work it for 2026.

Starting from Newlands Corner, we head through Albury Park towards Shere before dropping down to Farley Green and onto Shamley Green for a pub lunch at The Bricklayers Arms (NOW FULL) or a picnic outside on the Green.

In the afternoon we head out towards Blackheath briefly joining The Downs Link then The Pilgrims Way back to Newlands Corner.
Possibility of tea and cake at The Plucky Pheasant across the road before the drive home. Closes at 5pm.

Pub lunch (now full) or picnic on the green.

Starting Point:

Start Time: 10:00 am
Grid Ref: TQ042492
Nearest Post Code: GU4 8SE

Newlands Corner car park
A25 Shere Road
Albury GU4 8SE

Meet outside the visitor centre.
Cafe and toilets available.

Distance and Terrain:

12.5 miles. My usual moderate/brisk pace with hills throughout the day.

Wed 26 Aug 2026: RIVER WEY, WATTS GALLERY AND NORTH DOWNS WAY (lunch booking needed) (6miles)

A scenic walk starting and finishing in Guildford's historic Ye Olde Ship Inn Pub: https://www.yeoldeshipinn.pub/ with a visit to the iconic Watts Gallery which hosts many artworks and is located in some lovely grounds: https://www.wattsgallery.org.uk/visit/explore-our-site

We will start by walking along a very pretty stretch of the River Wey then head inwards along some pathways and open fields, past Loseley House to arrive at Watts Gallery. We will stop there for around 40 minutes to have some refreshments in the café and do a short visit of the gardens and gallery. We will then head back along the North Downs Way to Ye Olde Ship Inn. The walk is about 6 miles and should take about 3 hours, including the Watts Gallery visit, on mainly flat ground.

Parking at Ye Olde Ship Inn is limited and will be available to those walkers who will stay on for lunch, refreshments or snacks at the Inn. We have a cap on the number of cars that can use the Inn car park so please contact me by Friday 21st August latest via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you wish to use the car park and pub. We will start walking at 10:00am.

Lunch, Snacks or Refreshments at Ye Olde Ship Inn at the end

Starting Point:

Start Time: 10:00 am
Grid Ref: SU992483
Nearest Post Code: GU2 4EB

Ye Olde Inn Car Park, Portsmouth Road, Guildford

Distance and Terrain:

6 miles. Mainly flat, no stiles, moderate pace

Sat 29 Aug 2026: THE RIDGEWAY NT #1 OVERTON HILL > OGBOURNE ST GEORGE - WALK FULL (10miles)

Walk now full. Part of the 87-mile The Ridgeway National Trail, walked throughout 2026 and 2027. The walk/trail has not been recced, so distances are approximate. We will meet at the end point of the walk to car share to the start of the walk. Give yourself plenty of time to find the end point car park, which are often difficult to find. Due to distance to walk and time to car shuffling, we will start promptly. Please no dogs. Please ask the walk leader to add you to a WhatsApp group to coordinate attendance.

Picnic. Pint/coffee either on route or at the end.

Starting Point:

Start Time: 9:30 am
Grid Ref: SU202741
Nearest Post Code: SN8 1SQ

Meet at Marlborough Road (SN8 1SQ | SU202741); to then car share to The Ridgeway and Sanctuary Car Park (SN8 1QG | SU118681) where we will start the walk.

Distance and Terrain:

10 miles. Medium to fast pace, terrain unknown.

Sun 30 Aug 2026: THE RIDGEWAY NT #2 OGBOURNE ST GEORGE > WHITEHORSE HILL - WALK FULL (13miles)

Walk now full. Part of the 87-mile The Ridgeway National Trail, walked throughout 2026 and 2027. The walk/trail has not been recced, so distances are approximate. We will meet at the end point of the walk to car share to the start of the walk. Give yourself plenty of time to find the end point car park, which are often difficult to find. Due to distance to walk and time to car shuffling, we will start promptly. Please no dogs. Please ask the walk leader to add you to a WhatsApp group to coordinate attendance.

Picnic. Pint/coffee either on route or at the end.

Starting Point:

Start Time: 9:30 am
Grid Ref: SU293865
Nearest Post Code: SN7 7QN

Meet at the White Horse Hill Car Park (SN7 7ZB | SU293865); to then car share to Marlborough Road (SN8 1SQ | SU202741) where we will start the walk.

Distance and Terrain:

13 miles. Medium to fast pace, terrain unknown.

Sun 30 Aug 2026: BANSTEAD/MERSTHAM CIRCULAR (13miles)

A circular walk from Banstead via Banstead Wood, Merstham and Gatton Park along woodland paths, public footpaths and open fields. No dogs please.
No pub lunch this time but picnic at St Katharine's Church, Merstham. We will have a short drink stop at Well House Inn, Mugswell on our way back.
If the temperature is over 30 degrees, I will cancel the walk.

Picnic at St Katharine's Church, Merstham

Starting Point:

Start Time: 10:00 am
Grid Ref: TQ254596
Nearest Post Code: SM7 2LX

Banstead High Street Car Park
58-60 High St, Banstead SM7 2LX
Sundays and Bank Holidays - Free Parking
Has a toilet facility

Distance and Terrain:

13 miles. Brisk (am) less brisk (pm), some stiles & gentle hills, possibly muddy

Sat 12 Sep 2026: HAMPTON COURT GARDEN OPEN DAY STROLL - FREE ENTRY (2miles)

Hampton Court Palace gardens will be open free of charge with no tickets or pre-booking required.
Let's stroll through 60 acres of magnificent formal and landscaped grounds at Hampton Court Palace in East Molesey, featuring a mix of royal history and vibrant seasonal displays

Note: Entrance to the Palace, the Maze and the Magic Garden will still require a ticket.
Possibly free street parking on Palace/Wolsey/Arnison Road area
The length of walk can be easily varied, possibly 2/3 miles.

Snack at the gardens’ café or light lunch one of nearby pubs? nothing booked.

Starting Point:

Start Time: 10:00 am
Grid Ref: TQ157684
Nearest Post Code: KT8 9AU

Meet by the Official Ticket Office, Hampton Court Palace

Distance and Terrain:

2 miles. Leisurely Pace, no stiles

Wed 16 Sep 2026: M25 JUNCTION-10 #4 BRIDGES AND WISLEY (4miles)

We start by heading north-east along part of the Woodlark Trail, and we first cross the M25 over Clearmont Bridge #1, then through a pine forest area near Foxwarren Park, to cross the M25 at Red Hill Road Bridge #2, a short tarmac-hop to Sandpit Hill Bridge #3. Look out for the old Hyde Park Corner stone mile-post, before, finally, the highlight of Cockcrow Green (Nature) Bridge #4. Try and find the Hedgehog escape route from the cattle grid. Returning to RHS Wisley. At the end you can use the Café, Garden Centre, or enter RHS Wisley (£).

No lunch stop during the walk. Eat at RHS Wisley café at the end of the walk, if you wish, not booked.

Starting Point:

Start Time: 10:00 am
Grid Ref: TQ065584
Nearest Post Code: GU23 6QA

Meet at the red post-box and water fountain near RHS Wisley Garden Centre entrance (What3Words rails.onion.verse).

Distance and Terrain:

4 miles. Medium pace. Pretty flat throughout. Mostly off-road gravel or tarmac tracks. Wooded areas may be muddy after rain.

Sat 19 Sep 2026: EXCEAT TO SEAFORD WITH VIEWS OF THE SEVEN SISTERS. (11miles)

We begin at the Seven Sisters CP at Exceat walking uphill and inland on the South Downs Way to Littlington where we cross the River Cuckmere. We then follow the river back before climbing very steeply up to the white horse with views over the Cuckmere valley. We walk over the downs skirting the Rathfinny Wine Estate before descending into Seaford for lunch.
There is a half hour walk on roads into Seaford.
After lunch we continue eastward along the promenade before climbing up onto the coast path with great views, hopefully, towards the Seven Sisters cliffs. Arriving at the coastguard cottages we turn inland walking back to Exceat along the Cuckmere River.
Possible tea stop on the journey home either at Littlington or Middle Farm on the A27.

Pot luck lunch in Seaford with several pubs and cafes or picnic on the seafront.

Starting Point:

Start Time: 10:00 am
Grid Ref: TV519995
Nearest Post Code: BN25 4AD

Seven Sisters Country Park CP, Exceat.
Pay and display car park, £7 all day.

Distance and Terrain:

11 miles. Hilly on the South Downs with one very steep climb. Relaxed to moderate pace.

Sat 26 Sep 2026: REIGATE HEATH, LEIGH, BROCKHAM AND BETCHWORTH. (11miles)

A circular walk over mainly flat terrain with some undulation.
The route has something for all to include heathland; fields; woodland; golf courses and a small amount of road work..We shall leave Reigate passing the well known Skimmington Castle PH. We shall walk a longer morning session via the village of Leigh with the intention of having a picnic lunch on the inviting green at Brockham. The Royal Oak PH is very conveniently situated to this lunch stop with much to recommend it including its colony of Meercats.
From Brockham we shall return to the start via the Greensand Way.

A picnic lunch is proposed. See above.

Starting Point:

Start Time: 10:00 am
Grid Ref: TQ239503
Nearest Post Code: RH2 8QR

The parking area Flanchford Road. Reigate.

Distance and Terrain:

11 miles. Moderate to brisk.

Sun 27 Sep 2026: COMPTON AND FARNHAM PARK (8miles)

We walk from Riverside car park along the North Downs Way to Compton. Down Tilford Road to Farnham town centre on to Gostrey Meadow where we have our packed lunch. After lunch we walk up Farnham Park back to Riverside car park.

Packed lunch

Starting Point:

Start Time: 10:00 am
Grid Ref: SU845471
Nearest Post Code: GU9 7UQ

Farnham Riverside Car Park 2 Free on Sunday's.

Distance and Terrain:

8 miles. Moderate

Sat 24 Oct 2026: BURNHAM BEECHES (BOOKING FOR PUB LUNCH REQUIRED) (11.5miles)

A walk round Burnham Beeches and Egypt Woods, heading up to Hedgerley for pub or picnic lunch before returning via Fulmer and Stoke Common to Farnham Common. Beautiful Autumnal Beech woodlands (hopefully) with ponds, wetland areas, farmland and heathland (also wet).

Please email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to have a pub lunch at the wonderful White Horse pub in Hedgerley. I have booked a table for 12 initially.

Picnic or pub lunch (The White Horse) at Hedgerley at approx 12.30.

Starting Point:

Start Time: 10:30 am
Grid Ref: SU9570085054
Nearest Post Code: SL2 3PS

Lord Mayors Drive Car Park, off Beeches Rd, Burnham Beeches, Farnham Common, Bucks. Large Car Park, £3 a day card or RingGo charge (incl. weekends). From M40 Jct. 2 A355 Beaconsfield Rd. go South 3 miles to Farnham Common and look for brown tourist sign 'Burnham Beeches' on right in town centre. Follow Beeches Rd. over cross roads onto Lord Mayors Drv. Car Park is on the left.

Distance and Terrain:

11.5 miles. Moderate pace with occasional bits of brisk. Gentle rolling hills. Some road walking (country roads). We have to cross the A355 in a couple of places. Rain and mud possible (esp. Stoke Common).

Sat 7 Nov 2026: THE AGM AMBLE (SHEEPLEAS, LOVELACE BRIDGES, EAST HORSLEY) (5.5miles)

This will be a delightful preamble to our AGM later in the day. The route takes in common land ;woodland forest tracks and some road walking in the East Horsley section. The ground drains well and there should be little mud. The walk affords the opportunity to visit three of the famous 'Lovelace ' bridges and to view the sites of two lost bridges. There are no stiles!

Due to the length it is anticipated you will make arrangements to eat after - or wait for cake at the AGM.

Starting Point:

Start Time: 10:15 am
Grid Ref: TQ085515
Nearest Post Code: KT24 6EP

Sheepleas Shere Road Car Park. DO NOT confuse with Sheepleas Green Dene car park!

Distance and Terrain:

5.5 miles. Moderate. The terrain is undulating with a couple of short steeper climbs.

Sat 14 Nov 2026: THE RIDGEWAY NT #3 WHITEHORSE HILL > CUCKHAMSLEY HILL (12miles)

Part of the 87-mile The Ridgeway National Trail, walked throughout 2026 and 2027. The walk/trail has not been recced, so distances are approximate. We will meet at the end point of the walk to car share to the start of the walk. Give yourself plenty of time to find the end point car park, which are often difficult to find. Due to distance to walk and time to car shuffling, we will start promptly. Please no dogs. Please ask the walk leader to add you to a WhatsApp group to coordinate attendance.

Picnic. Pint/coffee either on route or at the end.

Starting Point:

Start Time: 9:45 am
Grid Ref: SU458850
Nearest Post Code: OX12 8QX

Meet at the Scutchamer Knob Car Park (OX12 8QX | SU458850); to then car share to the White Horse Hill Car Park (SN7 7ZB | SU293865) where we will start the walk.

Distance and Terrain:

12 miles. Medium to fast pace, terrain unknown.

Sun 15 Nov 2026: THE RIDGEWAY NT #4 CUCKHAMSLEY HILL > GORING (11miles)

Part of the 87-mile The Ridgeway National Trail, walked throughout 2026 and 2027. The walk/trail has not been recced, so distances are approximate. We will meet at the end point of the walk to car share to the start of the walk. Give yourself plenty of time to find the end point car park, which are often difficult to find. Due to distance to walk and time to car shuffling, we will start promptly. Please no dogs. Please ask the walk leader to add you to a WhatsApp group to coordinate attendance.

Picnic. Pint/coffee either on route or at the end.

Starting Point:

Start Time: 9:45 am
Grid Ref: SU598809
Nearest Post Code: RG8 9BW

Meet on Goring, Glebe Ride road (RG8 9BW | SU598809); to then car share to the Scutchamer Knob Car Park (OX12 8QX | SU458850) where we will start the walk.

Distance and Terrain:

11 miles. Medium to fast pace, terrain unknown.

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