SWC 287: Holmwood to Shamley Green, Shalford or Guildford t=swc.287
Distance: 11.6 miles (18.7 km), 14.5ish miles (23ish km) or 17.4 miles (28 km), respectively
Difficulty: 8 out of 10
Train: Take the 9:25 AM Horsham-bound train from London Victoria arriving in Holmwood at 10:29. Unless walking on to Shalford or Guilford, the return journey requires a bus from Shamley Green to Guildford (bus number 53 or 63), each bus runs hourly and takes about 10 minutes, the 53 at 22 past the hour and the 63 at 52 past the hour with the bus stop located conveniently opposite the pub! Plenty of trains in Guildford.....For those walking on to Shalford, trains run hourly at 31 past the hour (additionally the 53 and 63 buses both stop near the station). Buy a “any permitted” day return to Gomshall.
This walk provides a great late autumn outing with some invigorating hills to climb….Hopefully, there will also be some remaining flashes of color from the beech trees along the route….This is a largely map-led outing with a GPX file available for guidance. If you decide to walk to Shalford, you will need to consult the map and deviate from the GPX…it is a short diversion….With the short days upon us, the walk into Guildford would likely be in the dark, though it may be possible to make it to Shalford before darkness falls. You can find more information about the walk and download the walk instructions here.
The recommended lunch stop is the Royal Oak in Holmbury St. Mary (about 5 miles/9 km into the walk). Tea or afternoon refreshments can be enjoyed at the Red Lion in Shamley Green while waiting for the bus or at the Queen Victoria in Shalford also while waiting for the bus or train.
Enjoy the walk!