North Downs Way - Guildford to Farnham

This was the final day of walking to complete both the Canterbury loop version of the North Downs Way and the final day of a shorter walk from Rochester to Farnham. For today I had swapped out my Dad's company for my Mum's, and would be heading out from Guildford to Farnham. For the previous day please click the following link: Day 3: Merstham to Guildford

The walk started exactly as the last day ended, heading out via Pewley Downs and along the mile path to rejoin the North Downs Way and since it is a lovely picture, the same picture from the end of the last walk can get a second run :

View from Pewley Downs the night before

Once rejoined with the North Downs Way it is a pretty walk through the woods which includes a short spell in the open past the horses grazing (the gap in the trees top left of the view above) - which is a particularly nice stretch to walk through.

Just past the gap in the trees

From here the path leads round to the car park for the Chantries wooded area (there are pretty views to the south on the southern side of the Chantries - again a common spot for walks when home with family). Again if not a stickler for the rules of the path, or if you have time and foot miles to spare a wander over to the other side of the Chantries is worth a visit.

The pretty route here is to follow on the south side of the Chantries (still on the ridge), then drop down late to go via Tilehouse Farm to Shalford lock and use the cycle route to rejoin the North Downs Way at Shalford Park.

But sticking to the official route, from the car park the route follows the road passing some larger houses and then crosses over a busier road (where there is another route map which I missed), before heading across Shalford Park and into the trees to take you down to the River Wey - where a bridge takes you over the river. This isn't a bad spot to stop on the sandy bank and you can even rest some weary feet in the river if the mood so takes you.

The river looking south

The river looking north towards Guildford

Once over the river you pass by St Catherine's Chapel (I have been before so couldn't be bothered to visit) and what is remarkable for someone local is how effectively the route by-passes Guildford entirely. Instead you head out on farmland running below the ridge to the north and so it is easy to believe that Guildford is just a small village like it was in the olden days when people would head along the Pilgrim's Way.

The path the other side of Guildford

The path then heads on past Loseley Park (the other side of the trees so you don't get a glimpse), which is worth a visit on a day when you have the time and effort, before heading through the woods past Polested Manor.

Woods past Polested Manor

From here there is a trip under the A3 - but this time it is a relatively pleasant trip under a road with quite a high and airy bridge, giving a much better feel than many other underpasses do. This then takes you past Watts Gallery, which has facilities available if you need to stop.

After here the route then heads through Puttenham Heath and past Puttenham golf course - which is again a pretty golf course and although you are strictly forbidden from using any of their benches you are at least allowed to stop once you reach the cricket pitch just beyond the golf course (hurrah for the cricketers).

From here it is a short trip into Puttenham, crossing over a very busy (on this day static with long queues) road, but then finding that the road itself, which you follow to walk through Puttenham, is exceptionally quiet and pleasant to walk along.

Church at Puttenham

Having passed through Puttenham, the countryside continues to be pleasant, but the ridges and views of before are slowly passing away as it gets gradually flatter - and the last real highlight comes passing through some fruit farms near Seale.

Fruit farms near Seale

This is followed by a slightly tedious road section going round Farnham golf course and then a wooded walk through to Farnham to the end of the North Downs Way in a rather odd spot next to a dual carriageway. The mayor was not there to greet me on this grand occasion and it was even starting to rain at this point.

In all honesty the last bit of the walk dragged on a bit (as did the other end of the North Downs Way at Dover), but eventually you pop out by the roadside to see the end marker of the North Downs Way.

The end marker at Farnham

The final route map

The map being slightly scruffy sort of sums up the end to the walk, which dropped off a little bit in its final finish. Farnham itself looks better as you leave the dual carriageway and head up to the station - and it is a very easy trip from here onwards.

Overall the North Downs Way is a very pleasant walk that highlights the importance of preserving the countryside around London. Although the walk heads through well populated areas it still feels very rural beyond the impact of motorways. For me the big highlights that are easy to do as a one off are as follows :

1. Bearsted Station to Harrietsham station (about 10 miles)
2. Merstham to Westhumble (about 12 miles)
3. Charing to Chilham (about 12 miles)
4. Oxted to Merstham (about 10 miles)
5. Westhumble to Guildford (I would rate this level with Merstham to Westhumble if I was following my alternate route as described in the write up) (about 15 miles)

At the same time there are plentiful train lines all down the route that allow for easy access on and off either for shorter walks or to access accommodation in bigger towns. As a walk to do, it is far easier to plan than any others I have done due to all those links and its easy to accept some of the compromises. As you can see from the pictures that it is some very pleasant countryside to spend time in and it is nice to be able to say I have walked a continuous path from the home I grew up in to Dover. 😎

To read about the walk from Rochester to Dover (walked earlier in the year) click here.

Disclaimer: This writeup provides a narrative of what to expect rather than a route guide to follow. The route is covered by the 186 OS Landranger map - while there is also a North Downs Way guidebook which includes OS mapping (links redirect to Amazon). The route is in general well way-marked.