I have made a lunch booking for four people for 12.45

I hear another table for four has also been booked, so that makes eight places altogether

We nearly missed the connection at Dorking due to an army of other walkers trying to squeeze through one ticket barrier. Once we got to Gomshall I reckoned 18, maybe 19, assembled on the platform. But there was at least one late starter, so let’s make it an even 20. Cloudy in the morning but nice sun in the afternoon . Pretty much no mud despite this week’s rain, due to the sandy soils. So a good winter walk choice, I would say.

I think quite a lot of the group did the extra loop around Albury Park in the morning. There we encountered “sportsmen” massacring the local birdlife. We also visited the decommissioned church. Ten had booked tables for lunch at the William IV pub, which is now pretty upmarket. You needed a microscope to see the vegan dish but the burger (with “bacon jam”) was actually rather tasty. I hear the poussin was also nice (I have always thought him a fine painter).

Our table got its food rather slowly, which meant our meal was punctuated by the mumbling apologies of others - sandwichers, diners at the other tables - announcing they were going to walk on ahead and we would catch them up. Of course we didn’t, but our little party had a pleasant sunny walk across Blackheath, enlivened by the song of great tits and blue tits.

We got further split up after that and my contingent did not get to Guildford till dusk. There had been talk of reuniting in Gail’s, but we could see no walkers there and precious few cakes either, so we ended up in Caffè Nero, elbowing a laptop person out of the way to get space on a little table at the back. There we had a pleasant chat and got a crowded 16.49 (?) train.

20 people gathered on the platform of Gomshall station, and one joined us later on, making it21 on a day which started a bit dark and cloudy, but which turned increasingly warm and sunny as it progressed. We spotted a couple of brimstone butterflies, and the first native bluebells were also seen by one of the walkers. Many people exclaimed what a lovely walk it was through the pretty village of Shere, and then a really nice diversion through Albery Park. We stopped at the St Peter’s and St Paul’s church to admire it’s chapel, and the medieval painting of St Peter (?). Lunch was had in Blackheath Forest, and then we continued to walk through the shaded woods (a bit muddy here and there). The group fragmented a bit in the afternoon. We finished the walk along the river Wey in warm sunshine. Seven of us stopped at the White House Pub in Guildford for a drink or two, before catching various trains home. A lovely walk on a beautiful day.

If you're having a packed lunch, the nearest benches are at the church in Albury Park and on the Heath just before the pub in Little London.

The forecast may have kept today’s number at 9 but it was mainly cloudy with one shower pm Mostly dry underfoot except for when it wasn’t (a waterlogged bridleway in the afternoon springs to mind). Otherwise, a pleasant walk, mercifully hill-free.

The group fragmented a bit, with 2 doing the Albury loop and others going straight to Little London. 3 ate in the pub and were complimentary about the fare. A kindly benefactor offered Mr Tiger a few chips, which kept him happy. Most stopped there for a drink but not everyone spotted the elite group in the upper dining room.

A few went up Chinthurst Hill pm and a few didn’t. I’m told chestnuts were gathered.

In Guildford, a coalescence of walkers made for the George Abbot . Mr Tiger could hardly believe his eyes. They had Bee-sting (a strong perry) on tap, didn’t they. Mr Tiger had some of that.

6 of us met at Gomshall station and set off on a bright warm morning. We passed through pretty villages and fields shedding layers in the unaccustomed warmth. There were plenty of bluebells around and everything felt fresh and green. After passing across Blackheath Common we all stopped for a picnic lunch on a bank above a sunken lane. After lunch we encountered a bit of mud, and the sky began to darken as we approached Guildford, arriving just as it started to rain. 3 went to the theatre for hot drinks and cake, others went to a pub I think. 2 of us caught the 3.34 train back to London after a great day out.

really would have loved to do this walk..alas arthitic knee is stopping me ..

11 of the train with the Redhill contingent kindly waiting for those via Guildford, joined by two more in Shere by car making13 in total. The weather was showers_some_heavy_with_sunny_intervals. After Shere, there was a debate about the main route or the optional extension through Albury Park, those in favour of the extension won us over and we all visited the Norman Church in the park. The deconsecrated church now stands alone as the Drummond Family moved the villagers out of the park to the 'new' Albury. Having taken the longer option we were disappointed to find the William IV closed. We later found out that it has ceased trading despite a welcoming live website. An octagonal (smokers?) hut enabled us to get maps out in the rain and plan a diversion to the Drummond Arms, the Tillingbourne gun powder mills and the Wey navigation back to Guildford. The Drummond Arms was busy but managed to find an outside (but undercover) table for seven. Highlights included a 'free' glass of wine with the vegetarian option, and real cream and Smarties with the coffee all severed with efficient charm despite the pub being rammed full. We opted out after lunch as I was recovering from a cold (the standard punishment for traveling by air), I believe two got the bus to Guildford and I assume the rest walked on. For me a short but enjoyable day out.

OK so Goolge does say the William IV is permanently closed, but the pubs own website is still up!

The closure of the William IV is a bit of a blow. It’s always been really busy when I’ve been there; the last time less than a year ago

We counted 14 at the station so we can make that16 in total, inclding the two who joined at Shere.

The William IV pub is currently up for sale. It would be nice if it were to remain a pub under it's new owners.

22 on this walk - as far as we know. Certainly 20 met at Gomshall station, most having come via Guildford. Two had come via Redhill and we learned from them that the Victoria train had been 18 minutes late, thus missing its connection to Gomshall (our informants had come from London Bridge). Two who had been on this delayed Victoria train went to Guildford to do the walk in reverse: we met them coming the other way mid afternoon.

It was a lovely sunny day . The tree foliage was still in Titanic mode (“Why aren’t they turning?”) but there was plenty of golden light and autumn hues in the bracken and fallen leaves. We got swiftly to lunch, where one walker had booked a table for six and another added one for five. There was a separate 14-strong walking group also dining. The pub staff handled us all with great speed and efficiency.

In the afternoon, across the heaths. One dumb klutz (me) relied on his knowledge of the route and led four astray near Tangley Manor (and into a path with big puddles to boot…) but that meant that we later met up with the rest of the diners, who had previously been … ahem… lagging a bit. Flushed with the joy of our meeting, we voluntarily added a climb of Chinthurst Hill to the walk - a lovely golden view from the top.

There was worry that we might finish in the dark, but in fact we timed it perfectly, getting to Guildford as the light was dying. There is still a blockage on the Wey path (not the weir one: another) but we used the opposite bank without incident.

Approaching Guildford station, my fellow walkers stretched out like greyhounds, with no thought of tea or drinks, keen to throw themselves into the heart of the rush hour. I planned to have tea at Costa at the station, but it was shut, so I got a takeaway tea from a kiosk. I pen these lines on the (slightly delayed) 17.01 train.

Point 54

No need to walk alongside the A281 road any more. For a much more pleasant route, instead of turning right along the road, carry straight on across the road and follow the cycle/pedestrian route straight ahead. After about 5 minutes, you come to a new bridge over the river, cross it and go down the steps to the riverside path, turn left and follow the riverside path. After about 5 minutes you arrive at the A248 which you cross to pick up the riverbank path at point 57 of the directions.

Thanks Margaret

In the current on-line Directions this alternative route is shown at point 57 as being "The Cycle Path route"- with directions as per your comment.

11 of us, Victorians and locals, assembled in Gomshall railway station's car park and awaited the arrival of Waterlooers. 4 alighted from their train, bang on time, to join us. Shortly afterwards, 2 who had parked up in Shere, joined us for leg stretchers either side of Shere. We would have mustered more, but alas, the London Bridgers train was running late, and being too late to make the connection at Redhill, they opted to do another walk. I hope they post their own walk report on the mischief they got up to today.

So, for today's adventure in West Surrey, we numbered 17, including one first timer: another good mid-week turn out, given the weather, which was overcast with fine drizzly rain for much of the day . The sun took a day off, but the temperature was mild, and pleasant for walking. The two leg-stetchers dined at the White Horse in Shere, and 5 of us decided to give the William 1V a go: we were not disappointed. The pub is mightily improved since its previous incarnation, now with very comfortable internal dining areas, a pleasant bar, and a covered outdoor area in front of the pub. Taking into account the inside tables were all taken (we were fortunate to get a booking) and another group of walkers were sitting under cover outside, the wait for our delicious food to arrive was understandable. There seemed to be plenty of waiting staff as well, all very attentive and friendly, so all in all, it was a very good luncheon experience. Meanwhile, as the diners indulged, the sandwichers moved on - never to be seen again.

Post prandial, the 5 of us set out on the remaining, main bulk of the walk, in light drizzle. The route was less muddy than I was expecting: in fact, there was only one bad bit, and the rest was very manageable. The leaf colour today was excellent, both on the carpet and in the trees. Just before we rounded the bend before the final stretch of the river towpath, now in failing light, there was mist over the river, with magnificent leaf colour all around - very atmospheric.

On entering Guildford our first timer opted to head direct for the railway station: he said he had enjoyed his first experience of the SWC, so who knows, we might see him again. The rest of us headed for a pub, where we watched the denouement of the T-20 semi final, which the Kiwis deservedly won (The English quicks were pie throwing). A fast train then took us back to London, and I was home in time to switch on the wireless and listen to the Archers - now how sad is that..............

Going. One of the most interesting walks in the splendid 'SWC Festive Walking Festival.' Thank you, Thomas.

Lovely walk today

Kevink

A baker's dozen off the train at Gomshall, with one other joining us at Shere, so that made 14 for our first mid-week walk in the New Year, a good turn out.

The weather forecast was not too promising, but once again we were lucky, as rain held off and at times it was sunny with light winds , not the strong winds forecast.

Mud levels were as expected - high, but the mud was of the slubberdub variety, sloshy and slippery, but manageable for those wearing gaiters.

The William IV pub was not serving food today, so we stopped early in the walk, in Shere, where six of us enjoyed a nice lunch, promptly served, in the White Horse. Our sandwichers found comfy benches nearby, overlooking the Tilling Bourne stream, most joining us later for a drink in the pub.

Carrying on with the walk, on entering Albury Park our group slit into two, with our walk poster leading nine on a loop of the Park, which included a visit to the Saxon church, whilst I joined five content with just doing the scheduled walk. The adventurous nine later added the the detour to the Tower viewing point.

On Blackheath Common us five witnessed what could have been a fatal accident: a horse reared up, lost its balance and footing, then fell on top of its teenage girl rider. She got up, shaken and appeared outwardly unhurt, but methinks she will be badly bruised this morning. Having made sure the rider was receiving plenty of attention, we continued on with our walk, soon encountering more muddy bits.

The last section of the walk along the Wey Navigation is relaxing and we reached Guildford shortly after 4 pm, with the light beginning to fade. Tea was enjoyed at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, where we just resisted the temptation to stay on for the late afternoon performance of their Dick Whittington panto. By this time the adventurous nine had completed their walk and we said hello to them in a nearby pub before we headed for the railway station, and a fast train back to London.

A lovely day's walking was enjoyed by all, in excellent company - and once again, we were lucky with the weather.