HIKE 26km The Heathlands, Lakes and Woodlands of Surrey

This walk is led by a local guide who knows the area well. As it is peak mushroom season, we are likely to see a variety of fungi along the way. However, please note that this is not a specialist mushroom identification hike, as our guide is not a mushroom expert. To see the mushrooms our guide saw last Autumn on his recce, please click on photos below

📏 Key Info:

• Distance: 16 miles (26km)

• Grading: Intermediate

• Ascent: 550m

• Hiking time: 6.5 to 7.5 hours

• Cost: £34 plus Eventbrite fee they charge including the guided hike and return train travel, click “Check out” to join.

Payments are refundable upto 7 days in advance, after that they are non refundable and non transferrable.

• Toilet Breaks: On the trains, only woods/bushes during hike, and at the end pub

📍 Meeting Point

• Location: Waterloo station. Meet under the main central clock - MAP & photo of the clock

• Time: Meet 8:30am, leave 8:45am for the 9am train

• Return: 7:10pm arrival back in London (you’re committed until then)

🌟 Highlights

• Explore the beautiful Surrey countryside within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

• Hike along part of the North Downs Way – one of the UK’s great National Trails

• Enjoy idyllic walking beside the River Wey with its tranquil boat houses

• Visit Guildford, Surrey’s most significant ancient town with Bronze Age roots

• Marvel at the ruins of St Catherine’s Church, painted by Turner and steeped in legend

• Discover the heathlands and woodlands of Puttenham Common, rich with bell heather and Scots pine

• Visit Crooksbury Hill for breathtaking views across Surrey, Hampshire, and towards the South Downs

🥾 Hike Description

When you think of Surrey, you may picture cosy villages, green pastures and quiet country houses. The first part of this hike offers exactly that – but as we journey further, we uncover the wilder side of Surrey, with vast woodlands, sandy heathlands and sweeping ridge-top views. Surrey is, after all, the most heavily wooded county in England.

We begin in Guildford, a historic market town with Bronze Age roots. Following the tranquil River Wey, we soon reach the atmospheric ruins of St Catherine’s Church – built in the 14th century and believed by legend to have been raised by giants. William Turner captured it in his paintings, which now hang in the Tate Gallery. From here, we join the North Downs Way, passing ancient farms and the grand Tudor manor of Loseley House, recorded in the Domesday Book.

Our trail continues onto Puttenham Common, where open heathland glows with bell heather and groves of oak and Scots pine rise from the sandy soil. Passing through the village of Puttenham, once home to Roger Taylor of Queen, we head deeper into the Surrey Hills with their mix of woodland and sweeping uplands.

The final highlight is Crooksbury Hill, a wooded summit with breathtaking views stretching across Surrey and Hampshire, as far as the South Downs. From here we descend into the ancient market town of Farnham, dating back to the Stone Age, where we’ll enjoy a well-earned pub stop before returning to London.

🧭 Guide:

• Leader: GRAHAM

• Contact (hike day only): 07796 098487

🍽️ Food:

• Bring a packed lunch

• Pub visit after the hike (drinks optional)

🎒What to Bring

• Hiking boots/shoes

• Water (2 litres minimum)

• Packed lunch

• Waterproofs (jacket and trousers)

• Hat and gloves if cold

• Train tickets are arranged – just meet us at the meeting point

⚠️ Safety

Your guide is a trained hike leader and Outdoor Activity First Aider

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• New to Our Trips? (perfect for first-timers, answers “what to expect”)

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