Shalford Circular Walk

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Walk Map

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Walk Options

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13. Main Walk (22 km)

1. Short Walk 1, finishing at Chilworth (15¼ km)
2. Short Walk 2, omitting Blackheath loop (14½ km)
3. Short Walk 3, starting from Chilworth (13¾ km)

Walk Directions

Click on any section heading to switch between detailed directions and an outline, or the heading above to switch all sections.

If you are doing Short Walk 3 (from Chilworth), start at [?] in §E.

1. Shalford Station to Chantries Car Park (1¾ km)
• Leave the station on Station Approach and cross the A281. Take the footpath along Dagley Lane, which swings right to cross over the railway. Follow this track northwards for 500m, then round to the right to return to the A281. Go back across the main road and take the footpath off to the right past Shalford Mill and across a field to East Shalford Lane. Take the footpath heading north, at first alongside Clifford Manor Road and then past the western edge of Chantry Wood to meet the North Downs Way (NDW) in front of Chantries car park.
1. If arriving from Guildford, cross the footbridge to leave the station from Platform 2. Go out along Station Approach, then in 60m veer right up a patch of grass and cross the A281 at the pedestrian lights near the railway bridge. You could take the signposted footpath along a track 40m off to the left, but it is easier to cut through a small car park and follow a path past a Scout Hut which merges with the track where it swings right onto a bridge.
2. Go across the railway on this combined pedestrian / cycleway (Dagley Lane), waymarked as Cycle Route 22 (CR 22). In 150m you pass a metal kissing gate on the left which is the main return route via the water meadows.

   If these meadows appear to be flooded it would be advisable to take the alternative route back to Shalford at the end of a circular walk.

3. Carry on along Dagley Lane (or a parallel path in the belt of trees on the left if you prefer). In 300m the path rejoins the track just before it bends right. Leave CR 22 (which veers left down a slope) and follow Dagley Lane out to the A281. Go back across this road at the pedestrian lights and turn right onto the pavement, briefly heading back towards Shalford.
4. After passing the Seahorse Inn turn left into the driveway to Shalford Mill?. Go past a few cottages and to the right of the attractive tile-hung building, crossing the mill-stream and the River Tillingbourne?. Keep ahead on the enclosed footpath alongside the mill's garden. At the end go up a few steps, through a gate and bear slightly right to follow a clear grassy path across a field.
5. As you approach the far side head for the left-hand of two metal kissing gates about 25m apart. Go through this and down a few steps onto East Shalford Lane. Go straight across this lane into the driveway to several houses (Shepherd's Way), which is also a right of way. In 75m keep right to continue along Shepherd's Way, now an enclosed footpath between a residential street (Clifford Manor Road) and a large farm field.
   • If this footpath is overgrown you could veer left through a gap and go along the street instead.
6. At the end of the footpath you have to join the street, but where it turns half-left bear right onto a fenced path which is the continuation of Shepherd's Way. The farmland on the right is soon replaced by woodland and in 250m you pass the main entrance into Chantry Wood (or Chantries) and come to a junction of tracks, with a four-way footpath signpost in front of Chantries car park.
2. Chantries Car Park to St Martha-on-the-Hill (2½ km)
• Follow the NDW along the northern edge of Chantry Wood, across Halfpenny Lane and up to the church at the top of St Martha's Hill.
1. At the junction turn right onto the signposted North Downs Way? (NDW), also joining the Pilgrims’ Way? (PW). This horse ride passes to the left of Chantry Cottage and climbs gently, with the steeply-wooded slopes of Chantries up to your right and occasional glimpses of an open valley through the trees on your left.
2. In 300m ignore a track leading up into the wood past a metal fieldgate. The simplest route is to carry on along the main track, but in places it goes through cuttings and you might prefer to switch to a parallel and slightly higher path just inside the wood for up to 500m.
   • If you take the woodland path, rejoin the bridleway where there is a wide gap in the trees on the left and a fine view towards Pewley Down, 600m away on the other side of the valley.
3. Shortly after the viewpoint you could have an early coffee stop at the signposted Golden Fords Café, situated in some farm buildings off to the left. At the next track junction keep left, ignoring another track into the woods past a wooden fieldgate. After a further 125m the bridleway emerges into the open and continues as a sandy track between paddocks for 250m.
4. After the track re-enters the wood go straight ahead at a bridleway junction. The path narrows as it climbs through the trees for 300m and eventually merges with another bridleway coming up from the left (the route from Guildford via Pewley Down). In a further 50m you come to a major path junction where you bear left onto a wide track leading out to Halfpenny Lane.
5. Turn left briefly onto the road, then in 30m turn right onto the continuation of the NDW. Follow the path up a slope and across a driveway. After passing a vehicle barrier the path continues alongside an open space, then merges with another path coming up from a car park in the woods.
6. In 200m ignore a bridleway branching off to the right (unless you want to take an easier route passing below the church) to climb steadily up St Martha's Hill for a further 200m. At the top of the slope you come to a small gate in front of the isolated church of St Martha-on-the-Hill?.
   • The NDW passes to the left of the church, but of course it is much nicer to go through the churchyard in order to enjoy the fine views to the south.
3. St Martha-on-the-Hill to Lockner Farm Lane (2¾ km)
• Continue to head east, leaving the NDW where it turns left towards Albury Downs. In 250m turn right onto a footpath going down the hillside, then along the side of Colyers Hanger to Waterloo Pond. Turn right at two footpath junctions to head west to Albury Mill and Postford Pond. Fork right onto the footpath heading south-west and then west to the bridleway on Lockner Farm Lane.
1. Leave the churchyard via the small gate at its eastern end to rejoin the NDW, a broad sandy track alongside pine trees which soon starts to descend. In 300m a bridleway merges from the right (the easier route mentioned above). In a further 100m keep ahead at a major path junction, leaving the NDW which branches off to the left. You pass a sign and cairn signifying that the path going back down to the right is the start of the Downs Link?.
2. After passing a WW Ⅱ pillbox in the trees on the left the sandy track starts to curve left. As it goes through a semi-open area keep to the rightmost path where it splits into multiple paths. About 200m after the pillbox turn right at a four-way footpath signpost onto a narrow footpath going down the wooded slope, leaving the PW.
3. Follow the path as it winds its way down the hillside. In 200m it comes to a path T-junction in front of an open field where you turn left. The narrow and slightly awkward path continues to descend through woodland for 150m, then veers left to become a pleasant path heading E along the side of Colyers Hanger for 500m, with occasional glimpses of a river down to the right.
4. After going alongside a garden fence and past a vehicle barrier a short stretch of boardwalk takes you across a muddy patch and out in front of the north-western corner of Waterloo Pond. Bear right to join Mill Stream Cottage's driveway and follow it alongside the pond. At the next corner follow the tree-lined drive round to the right to continue alongside a branch of the River Tillingbourne.
5. In 150m the drive curves left to go between Postford Pond and a small housing development on the site of Albury Mill?. Immediately after crossing the outflow from the pond turn right onto a signposted footpath heading SW, a narrow fenced path to the left of a driveway.
6. In 350m the path crosses a ditch on a plank bridge and you go over a stile into a large field. Bear slightly right to go across it, with a shallow drainage ditch on your left. On the far side go over a stile in the tree boundary and keep ahead across a smaller field. Go over a third stile and turn right onto a farm lane, which is also a public bridleway.

If you are doing Short Walk 2 (omitting Blackheath), go to §H.

4. Lockner Farm Lane to Chilworth (Percy Arms) (1¼ km)
• Head west along the bridleway and then a parallel path along the northern edge of Chilworth Manor Vineyard. Turn left onto another permissive path into the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills site. Take a path heading south-east through the site to its central clearing. Leave the site on “Vera's Path” and turn left onto the A248 to reach the Percy Arms.

You will be going through the main part of the Gunpowder Mills site after the loop around Blackheath, so at this point the route skirts around a vineyard before cutting through the site to the lunch pub.

1. Follow the lane across a branch of the river and ignore a couple of openings on the left leading into the historic site. After crossing the main branch of the river keep left to stay on the bridleway where the farm lane swings off to the right. After climbing gently for 125m the track comes to a three-way bridleway junction.
2. Keep ahead at the junction, ignoring a fieldgate ahead on the left leading into Chilworth Manor Vineyard. You could stay on this public bridleway, but almost immediately a signposted permissive path on the left gives you the option of a more pleasant route along the edge of the vineyard.
3. Shortly after the permissive path rejoins the bridleway you reach a path crossing with a comprehensive wooden signpost, where you might be able to glimpse Chilworth Manor? ahead on your right. Turn left onto a fenced permissive path heading S between the vineyard and a field (sometimes containing a few llamas).
4. After passing the vineyard the path goes down a short flight of earth steps to a T-junction. Turn left and follow the path around a few bends and across a waterway on Pack Horse Bridge, a ‘back door’ into the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills? site. The path goes between two water channels before swinging right to cross one of them on a wide plank bridge.
5. Fork left and follow a potentially muddy path through an overgrown area. In 150m it merges with the main path through the site and comes to a clearing with some picnic tables.
6. Fork right off the main path to cross a waterway, the New Cut?. Follow a straight tree-lined path (“Vera's Path”) between meadows and past an infant school to the A248. Turn left and go along the main road for 175m to come to the Percy Arms on the left-hand side. The walk continues along the lane opposite, over the level crossing by Chilworth station.
5. Chilworth Station / Percy Arms to Blackheath Forest (2 km)
• • If starting the walk here, go out onto Sample Oak Lane and turn left.
  From the pub cross the main road and go over the level crossing on Sample Oak Lane. In 100m take a parallel footpath on the left of the lane, rejoining it after 300m. In 200m bear left onto Blackheath Common. Follow a bridleway and then a permissive path up to the War Memorial. Take a path heading south-east for 400m to reach the main track through the common. Bear left and follow it for 500m to the boundary with Blackheath Forest.

1. Starting from Chilworth Station

1. From either platform go out onto the lane by the level crossing and turn left, away from the Percy Arms on the main road.
2. From the pub go over the level crossing on Sample Oak Lane. There is no pavement and on the map it looks as though you have to follow the lane for 600m, but after 100m you can veer left onto a fenced footpath running parallel to it behind a belt of trees. The path climbs gently alongside the lane for 300m before dropping down to rejoin it.
3. In a further 200m, just beyond the driveway to Pilar Lodge, bear left off the lane onto a signposted bridleway (entering Blackheath Common, although there is nothing to indicate this). The path goes across a patch of grassland and continues beside a long garden fence. At the far end fork right at a waymarked Y-junction, taking a ‘National Trust Permissive Path’ in preference to the bridleway.
   • These two routes are never far apart and almost rejoin after 225m, so if the path looks overgrown you could take the bridleway instead.
4. In 100m go straight across a driveway to continue on the path, still climbing gently and now through ferns and heather. After it levels out the path and bridleway both come to a major junction of tracks with an information panel for Blackheath Common. Veer right and take any convenient path up to the prominent War Memorial? which you can see on a small mound, 100m away.

   The memorial and a wooden bench do not appear to have suffered from a serious wildfire in August 2025.

5. To resume the walk take the path heading S past the bench, then almost immediately turn left onto a narrow path which gradually curves right to head roughly SE across the common. In 125m it merges with a track from the right which you follow into a more wooded area. Go straight across a lane to continue on the woodland path opposite.
6. In 200m you reach a major junction of tracks and turn half-left onto a broad sandy track heading E (directly away from a distant car park). You now simply follow this long straight track through a mix of open and wooded areas for 500m, to reach a major path junction on the boundary between Blackheath Common and Blackheath Forest.

   There is virtually no difference in the landscape but an information panel shows that you have reached the eastern edge of Blackheath Common.

6. Blackheath Forest to Ford Farm (1¾ km)
• Turn left at a track junction, then in 40m turn right to take a path parallel to the main track, heading east. Carry on in this direction for 800m. Just before a stile on the eastern edge of Blackheath Forest turn left onto a path which curves round to the left and goes downhill alongside a sunken bridleway. Leave the forest on this path, which curves round to the right. After crossing Law Brook turn left onto a bridleway leading to Ford Farm.
1. At the junction turn left briefly onto a broad track. In 40m turn right onto a path through the heather, heading E again and never far from the broad sandy track. The path soon goes goes back into woodland and continues through the trees for 300m before emerging into another open area. Keep ahead at several path junctions in the heather, still heading E with the sandy track visible again off to the right.
2. After going back into the trees the path goes through another patch of woodland for 150m followed by a semi-open area. At a major path junction by a small pond there is a waymarker post (numbered 285) showing a public footpath straight ahead (yellow arrow) and a bridleway (blue arrow) pointing to a slightly sunken path on its left.

   This bridleway would be the most direct route but it becomes increasingly awkward as it descends through the woodland.

3. The suggested route is to keep ahead on the waymarked footpath, which in 200m comes to a path crossing (where you can see a stile in the wire fence 20m ahead on the forest boundary). Turn left at this crossing onto a path curving round to the left as it goes gently downhill through the pine wood.
4. In 125m the path swings right and is now almost alongside the sunken bridleway you could have taken earlier, which is the route out of Blackheath Forest. In 125m (if not before) veer left down a sandy bank to join this enclosed bridleway, initially heading N and curving round to the right.
5. The bridleway eventually emerges into the open and crosses Law Brook? on a wooden footbridge. In a further 25m turn left into the driveway to Ford Farm, signposted as a bridleway. The drive curves round to the left, with old watercress beds visible in the valley. Go past some outbuildings into a small yard, with the attractive farmhouse up ahead.
7. Ford Farm to the Gunpowder Mills • Chilworth Station (2½ • 3¼ km)
• In front of the farmhouse take the footpath curving round to the right along the valley, with the brook (and a fishery) off to the left. Go across Blackheath Lane onto a footpath leading past stables to Postford Farm. Keep right at a footpath junction to continue past cottages on a fenced path heading north-west over a rise. Turn right onto a lane which crosses the railway line. Go straight across the A248 onto Lockner Farm Lane and follow this bridleway for 350m to a bridge across a waterway.
  • If finishing the walk at Chilworth turn left into the Gunpowder Mills site and follow the path past the Incorporating Mills to a clearing. Fork left onto “Vera's Path” and turn left onto the A248 to reach the station, on the side road opposite the Percy Arms.
    
1. In the far left-hand corner of the yard go through a metal kissing gate and follow a broad grassy path near the right-hand edge of an open valley, with Law Brook (and a fishery) behind the trees off to your left. At the far end go over a stile and turn right briefly onto a minor road (Blackheath Lane), then in 25m turn left into a farm track which is also a public footpath.
2. The track curves round to the left past some stables and drops down to go back across the reed-filled brook. Follow the track up and round to the right to go between a farmhouse and more stables, ignoring a footpath off to the left. After going past Postford Farm Cottages the footpath swerves left and right to continue first as a tree-lined sandy path, then climbs gently between fences (directly towards St Martha-on-the-Hill, 2 km away).
3. At the top of the slope go through a belt of trees and a kissing gate to continue in much the same direction across two fields. Go out past a cottage and bear right onto a lane, joining the Downs Link?. Follow the lane over the North Downs railway line and down to the A248.

   There are bus stops on this side of the road (for Guildford) and the other (for Dorking) if you wanted to abandon the walk.

4. Cross the main road carefully to continue on the track opposite, passing a new development on the site of Lockner Farm. In 350m you pass a stile on the right (the outward route from Shalford) and come to a bridge across a waterway.

Unless you are doing Short Walk 1 (finishing at Chilworth), skip to the next section.

5. Finishing at Chilworth Station (+¾ km)

1. … …
2. Fork left … Chilworth station is directly opposite, by the level crossing.

   Trains to Dorking and Redhill leave from the platform on this side. If you are returning via Guildford from the other platform be sure to leave enough time before the train is due as there is no footbridge between the two platforms.
   

8. Through the Gunpowder Mills to Blacksmith Lane (1¾ • 1 km)
• Turn left into the Gunpowder Mills site and follow the path past the Incorporating Mills to a clearing.
  • If you want to visit the village pub, fork left onto “Vera's Path” and turn left onto the A248 to reach the Percy Arms. Return the same way and turn left in front of the clearing to rejoin the main path.
  Follow the main path all the way through the site to Blacksmith Lane.
  
1. Cross the waterway and immediately turn left past a vehicle barrier into the “Middle Works” section of the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills? site.

   You might be able to pick up a Heritage Trail leaflet here or at one of the other information panels in these extensive industrial ruins.

2. After passing the massive ruins of the Incorporating Mills? the path bends right and merges with another path from the right. It then heads W through the wooded site for 100m, crosses a stream on a plank bridge and comes to a clearing with some picnic tables.

If you are not planning to stop for refreshment at the village pub you could skip the out-and-back section below.

3. To the Percy Arms and back (+¾ km)

1. To visit the pub fork left …
2. Return the same way: along the main road past the infant school and then “Vera's Path”. After crossing the waterway fork left twice to rejoin the main path through the site.
4. Ignore a couple of side paths off to the right and stay on the main path as it heads W through the historic site. As it curves right and then left it passes a row of worn millstones (for blast protection) and several ruined structures. Eventually you pass a fishing lake off to the right and come out onto a minor road (Blacksmith Lane).
   
9. Blacksmith Lane to Chantries viewpoint (1½ km)
• Turn right onto Blacksmith Lane, then in 100m veer left onto a footpath going uphill to meet Halfpenny Lane at a bend. Go into a large field and turn right to go along its edge, parallel to the lane. In the corner enter Chantry Wood and fork left at junctions to emerge onto open downland. Follow a zig-zag path up the slope and continue along the top of the grassland for 450m to reach a viewpoint.
1. Turn right and go along Blacksmith Lane for 100m, passing the entrance to Powder Mills Fishery and crossing the River Tillingbourne? and its associated mill-streams. Where the road turns sharply right (and becomes Halfpenny Lane) turn left into the driveway to a house (Chilworth Old Mill). In front of its entrance gate veer right up a signposted footpath.
2. Follow this enclosed path gently uphill, soon with a field behind a wire fence on the right. At the top turn left briefly onto Halfpenny Lane and go into a vast farm field where the lane bends sharply right. Do not take the signposted bridleway straight ahead but turn right to go along the broad field margin, parallel to the lane.
   • This is not shown as a right of way on the OS map, but is clearly well used by locals. If some kind of ‘Private’ notice appears you will have to brave the narrow lane instead (not an enticing prospect).
3. In the top corner go through a gap in the trees, merging with another path coming in from the lane and entering the south-eastern corner of Chantry Wood (or Chantries). Inside the wood fork left at path junctions to stay near the bottom edge of the wood. The path soon goes up a short slope and you go through a metal kissing gate onto open downland.
4. Follow a grassy path slanting up the hillside, soon curving right to climb more steeply. Near the top it veers left and goes through a gap to merge with another path coming in from a gate on the right.

   You will now be following the Walk #57 route (in reverse) to the River Wey Navigation.

5. Follow this clear sandy path along the top of the downland for 450m, going through gaps in the tree boundaries and curving slightly to the left. Eventually you are heading SW and reach a viewpoint with a few benches.
10. Chantries viewpoint to Shalford Park (2 km)
• Head towards Chantry Wood and turn left to go alongside it for 100m, then follow the path into the trees. In 250m turn left at a path junction and follow a broad path all the way through the western part of the wood to leave in its north-western corner. Fork left in front of Chantries car park and continue down a street (Pilgrims Way) to the A281. Cross the main road into Shalford Park.
  • If diverting to Guildford, turn right onto a cycleway running parallel to the A281. Continue on the main road and Quarry Street (optionally detouring through the Castle grounds) to the town's pedestrianised High Street. At the bottom cross the River Wey Navigation on Town Bridge and take the signposted Riverside Walk to the station.
    
1. At the viewpoint follow the path round to the right to head directly towards the wood. Shortly before reaching it veer left through a gap in the trees and join a broad sandy path just outside the wood. Ignore a gate leading into the wood here, but in a further 100m fork right where the path splits and go through a metal kissing gate into the trees.
2. Inside the wood keep left, passing a “Towering Plantation” information panel. The path gradually curves round to the right in front of the wooded valley. At a T-junction turn left onto a broad track, with a partly-cleared area on your right; towards the end of this clearing there is a “Cathedral View” information panel where a gap in the trees has been created to give a view of Guildford Cathedral, 3 km away.
3. At the end of the clearing keep ahead on a broad path which makes a long steady descent through the wood. In 350m the path comes to a Y-junction; both routes lead to the same exit but the left-hand path (down a flight of steps) is slightly easier.
4. At the end of the trees carry on across an open area, passing to the right of a new pond and the remnant of a redwood planted in 1991 (with a memorial plaque). Leave the wood and turn right, briefly repeating the outward route from Shalford. In front of Chantries car park fork left onto a track, rejoining the NDW & PW.
5. The track leads to a residential street (Pilgrims Way); cross over and take the walkway running downhill alongside it. As you approach its T-junction with the A281 there is a distant view of the ruins of St Catherine's Chapel? on a low hill ahead, 500m away. Cross the A281 carefully into Shalford Park, which has Cycle Route 22 (CR 22) running along its eastern edge.

Unless you want to finish at Guildford instead of Shalford, skip to the next section.

6. Finishing at Guildford Station (+1¾ km)

1. To divert to Guildford turn right onto CR 22, with playing fields and later a water meadow on the left. At the end of the cycleway carry on along the A281, passing the prominent Weyside pub beside the River Wey Navigation?.
2. For a less busy route into the town centre, fork right at the traffic lights ahead into Quarry Street. The simplest route is to go all the way along this street to the High Street, passing the King's Head and Star Inn along the way.
   • Alternatively you could turn right halfway along into Castle Hill, go through the Castle grounds to Castle Street and reach the High Street via one of the linking streets or alleyways.
3. Turn left down the broad pedestrianised High Street, passing several more pubs and coffee shops. At the bottom cross the main road (Millbrook) at the pedestrian lights. Cross the river on Town Bridge and turn right onto the riverside path.
4. After going under a road turn left up steps. Continue alongside the road as it swings round to the right, then go through an underpass on the left. The station is up ahead, with a Costa and other shops inside the concourse. Fast trains to London normally leave from Platform 5.
   
11. Shalford Park to Shalford Station (2¼ • 1½ km)
• For the main route go straight across the playing field and through water meadows to the River Wey Navigation. Turn left and cross the river on a footbridge to follow the Wey-South Path for 600m to St Catherine's Lock. Go back across the river and continue alongside it to pass a lock-keeper's cottage and go over a weir. Follow the footpath alongside another branch of the river, then up a slope to Dagley Lane.
  • To avoid the (possibly flooded) water meadows turn left onto the cycleway inside Shalford Park, going past a water treatment works and continuing along Dagley Lane.
  Take the footpath off Dagley Lane heading east alongside a cemetery to the A281. Cross the main road and veer right into Station Row, passing the Queen Victoria pub on the way to the station.
  

If you have reason to believe that the water meadows alongside the River Wey Navigation are flooded you can avoid them by taking the alternative route in [?].

1. Main route (2¼ km)

1. Keep ahead on a grassy path across the large playing field, directly away from the road. On the far side go through a gap in the tree boundary and carry on across Shalford Water Meadows? to reach a path T-junction in front of the River Wey Navigation?.
2. Turn left and cross the Navigation on a substantial footbridge? to continue in the same direction on the other bank, leaving the NDW & PW. Follow the Wey-South Path? for 600m to reach a path junction at St Catherine's Lock. Turn left to go back across the Navigation into another part of the water meadows.
3. Veer right off the vehicle track to take a path alongside the waterway. In 350m go through some gates and past a lock-keeper's cottage, then across a weir. The path continues alongside a branch of the river for 200m, then swings right onto a boardwalk which takes you across a boggy patch. Follow the path up a slope and through a metal kissing gate at the top. Turn right briefly onto a track (Dagley Lane).

2. Alternative route (1½ km)

1. Turn left onto CR 22, which goes around two sides of the playing field. It then goes through a wooded section where it crosses the River Tillingbourne and continues between a water treatment works and Shalford's parish church.
2. The cycleway then curves gently round to the left and goes up a slope. At the top turn right onto Dagley Lane to stay on CR 22. Go along this track for 300m (or switch to a parallel path in the belt of trees on the right if you prefer). The side path ends where the main route joins from a metal kissing gate on the right.
3. Immediately after the two routes rejoin turn left off Dagley Lane into a narrow alleyway with a yellow footpath waymarker. Keep ahead on a residential street for 50m, then turn right onto a tarmac path signposted as a footpath.
4. The path soon turns left to go alongside a cemetery and leads out onto a main road, the A281 again. Cross the road at the traffic island and veer right into Station Row to come to the Queen Victoria pub on the left after 100m.
5. To complete the walk carry on to the back of a small parking area and go down a ramp on the left to Platform 1 of Shalford station, for trains to Dorking and Redhill. Cross the station footbridge to Platform 2 for trains to Guildford.
   • If you have been doing a short walk The Snooty Fox café might still be open; it is 125m away in the parade of shops on Kings Road, at the end of Station Approach.
     

Walk Notes

1. The 18^thC Shalford Mill was one of several flour mills on the Tillingbourne. It closed in 1914 but was saved from demolition and donated to the National Trust in 1932. Much of its machinery survives but is not in working order.
2. The River Tillingbourne (shown as Tilling Bourne on the OS map) only runs for 18 km from its source at Leith Hill to the River Wey, but its strong and steady flow enabled it to power a good number of gunpowder, paper and flour mills.
3. The North Downs Way runs for 246 km along the length of the North Downs (with two sections at its eastern end), from Farnham in Surrey to Dover in Kent.
4. The Pilgrims’ Way is a 192 km route between Winchester and Canterbury, although there is no real evidence that it was used by medieval pilgrims to the shrine of Thomas Becket. The name was added to OS maps by a 19^thC surveyor after the legend was embellished by Hilaire Belloc and other writers. Much of the route actually follows an ancient trackway on the southern slopes of the North Downs, linking the narrowest part of the English Channel to the sacred sites of Stonehenge and Avebury.
5. St Martha-on-the-Hill dates from 1850, an earlier church having collapsed as a result of explosions in the Gunpowder Mills below. Its prominent position on the Pilgrims’ Way suggests that it might have been sited as a beacon for travellers, although it is not an authentic pilgrimage route.
6. The Downs Link runs for 59 km, connecting the North Downs Way at St Martha's Hill with the South Downs Way near Steyning. Much of the route is along a disused railway line.
7. Albury Mill has been the site of corn and paper mills and was also the “Upper Works” section of the Gunpowder Mills in the early 20^thC. The relocation of Albury village has led to the same name being used at other times for different mills further upstream.
8. Chilworth Manor was built on the site of a former monastery, with the current house dating from the late 17^thC. In 1725 it was acquired by Sarah, widow of the Duke of Marlborough, who developed the tiered “Duchess's Garden” cut into the hillside. The Vineyard was planted in 2014 and produces rosé and sparkling wines from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier grapes.
9. The Chilworth Gunpowder Mills were established in 1626 and manufactured this “damnable invention” (according to William Cobbett in 1822) for nearly 300 years. This extensive site was one of the most important production centres in Britain during this time, employing 600 people at its peak.
10. The New Cut was constructed in 1656 to enable punts to transport powder around the site. The small swing bridge next to “Vera's Path” is a relic of the site's tramway.
11. The Blackheath Common War Memorial was erected in 1920 on a small mound where it could be seen from the village. When grazing on the common ceased after WW Ⅱ the woodland grew up and it became isolated.
12. Law Brook is a tributary of the River Tillingbourne. Some of its old watercress beds around Ford Farm are now used for fish farming.
13. In the Incorporating Mills saltpetre, charcoal and sulphur were mixed together, a highly dangerous procedure. There were several fatal explosions over the years, with a huge one in 1760 killing several workers and severely weakening the old St Martha's church on the hill above.
14. St Catherine's Chapel was built in the early 14^thC as a ‘chapel of ease’ for parishioners living some distance away from Guildford's main parish church. It was abandoned at the end of the Middle Ages.
15. Shalford Water Meadows (and Shalford Park) were part of a large estate which became neglected after the owner went bankrupt in 1898. Shalford House was later demolished to make way for a water treatment works. The water meadows began to revert to woodland after farming ceased, but are now being sensitively managed to restore a rich environment of reedbeds and wildflower meadows.
16. The River Wey Navigation runs for 32 km from the River Thames at Weybridge to Godalming, linking with the Basingstoke Canal and the Wey & Arun Canal. It was one of the first rivers in England to be made navigable, with the first sections being completed in the mid-17^thC.
17. The footbridge was built in 1983 to replace a ferry crossing, near the site of an ancient ford. The colour of the sand spilling down St Catherine's Hill at this ‘golden ford’ is one of the candidates for the origin of the name ‘Guildford’.
18. The Wey-South Path runs for 58 km between Guildford and Houghton Bridge. It follows the route of the River Wey, the River Arun and the canal linking them.

» Last updated: October 23, 2025

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