A walk from Guildford to St.Martha's and back. 8.5 mile loop. Early February 2018

Not from Woking, but easy to get to from Woking! This one starts from Guildford rail station, simply cross the road (Walnut Tree Close), drop down onto the River Wey via the (hard to spot) stairs next to the small cycle bay and head south past Millmead Lock etc. On reaching the footbridge marked with the small white acorn (see picture), cross and pick up the North Downs Way all the way up to St. Martha's hill and church. Drop down on the other side until you reach the marker for the Down's Link and follow that to Blackheath (war memorial etc). The well marked Down's Link will then take you back down again where you turn right (north) back to Guildford on the Wey South path (that also doubles as an alternative Down's Link route for those that prefer to start/ finish the Down's Link at Guildford rail station), and then turn north and follow the River Wey back to Guildford.

Hopefully the pictures will help!

The loop from the acorn marked footbridge (soon to be repaired/ replaced) is 8.5 miles, with the walk to and from Guildford station that adds another 2 miles for 10.5 total. I must admit, I couldn't resist a trip up to Chinthurst hill on the way, it might add another mile, well worth it though. The tower is sadly sealed and inaccessible.


There is some climbing on this walk, so it's a decent cardio exercise through some pleasant countryside with great views. Midweek (if you can) is nice and quiet too. Enjoy!

Leaving Guildford.

Chocolate box cottage!

Heading up towards St Martha's.

Looking left.

Looking right.

The North Downs Way is well marked with the Acorn symbol.

Looking right into Chantry wood, just off the North Down's Way. Another day perhaps!

Still going up!

St Martha's church.

Looking South-West.

Dropping down from the church, still on the North Downs Way.

Shortly you will find the marker for the start of the Down's Link walk, head down it.

What can I say?

After dropping down to the A248 just east of Chilworth there is a climb up to Blackheath, following the Down's Link route all the way.

Crisp and cold, just the way I like it!

Blackheath War memorial is just slightly off the path. There is a bench if you need a rest.

A place for contemplation.

In the far distance through a gap in the trees you can see St Martha's church.

Blackheath is a dead end road, a small community. There used to be a very nice pub there until 2010, it is hoped (after sterling efforts from the locals) that the pub will be re-opened in the not too distant future. 

Good signage!

Just through the trees you can see St Augustine's Abbey, a Benedictine Monastery. They picked an excellent location for a peaceful retreat. In the summer with the leaf cover, I doubt you would see it.

The path can be narrow at times. Meeting a horse here (as I have done in the past) can be interesting.

OK, sometimes the signage is less than perfect!

Luckily the low temperature improved the viscosity of this mud!

Come the summer I will be heading down there again!

Going up to Chinthurst hill and back down again? Why not!

Up.

And up.

The sealed tower, a pity you can't climb it for what must be wonderful views from the top.

Not bad from the bottom of the tower.

This is after dropping down the Down's Link to where the walk meets the Down's Link/ Wey-South path shared route.

Go left and you'll get to the south coast in just over 30 miles.

You can just see the small circular Wey-South path marker here.

Go right, and you head back to Guildford.

There is a minor variation with the two paths returning to Guildford. On this occasion I took the Down's Link path.

Back at the River Wey.

On the outskirts of Shalford where the A248 crosses the River Wey.

The North Down's Way footbridge crossed earlier in the walk coming into view.

Note the acorn symbol.

Leaving it behind.

Guildford comes into view.

Back at Millmead Lock again.

Enough to work up an appetite!

Back to the Rat-Race again....