Wey-South Path - Guildford to High Bridge (Alfold) 14.8 Miles
26th June 2011
Left home early this morning as Martin was going to Bisley and could drop me off a Millmead Lock as he went through Guildford. The Sign above is the logo to follow for this walk & not always obvious & also missing at some footpath junctions.
Millmead lock is the start of the walk and you head away from Guildford on the west bank of the river.
This lock was first opened in 1763 as part of the Godalming Navigation.
I left here at about 07.45 it was misty and also very muggy, but the forecast was for it to get hot this afternoon.
I continued along the river, under the footbridge that carries the North Downs Way, and on to St Catherine's Lock - the shallowest lock on the navigation.
Stayed on this path till till I reached the A248 at Broadford Bridge, where you go over the bridge and continue on the eastern bank. it was now 08.35 and even more muggy.
This is one of the many Pill Boxes along the Godalming Navigation on a mound above the river. It was only a short distance to Stonebridge and crossing the A281. You are now on an old disused Railway, that links up with the Downs Link. In about 1/2 mile you meet up with the Downs Link at Tannery Bridge, and the path of the Canal can be seen clearly, but it is overgrown with bull rushes and other marsh plants.
The next 3 miles was a bit boring as it was along the Downs Link, and not much to see, and also I only did that walk last month. Stopped along this section for a snack & water. By 8.55 I was at Bramley & Wonsersh Station, and from here is was another 3 bridges before leaving the Downs Link. After passing under the 3rd bridge the Wey-South Path goes off to the left, it was now 09.40. The scenery now changes and I was walking along side a lovely open field, with woods along one side and lots of foxgloves. Joined up with the canal at the road at Run Common, and the canal can be seen both sides of the road.
The canal is followed for a short while through some lovely woods, and then the path veers away across fields and past East Whipley Farm, and then on a bridle path across open grassland.
And why is there a stile in the middle of a field with no fence or hedge to be seen?
Crossed back across the Downs link at 10.25 and had logged 7.4 miles. you can now see parts of the canal that have been infilled. Below was the sign telling you which path to follow at a "Y" junction!!!!!
You then walk past a large beautiful old farm house, and continue the tarmac drive with the canal on your right, coming out on the B2130 at Elmbridge. After crossing the road, you follow the canal through a field, this section of the canal is dry, then at the end of the field veer away from the canal as there is no right of way along this section, and you end up walking 3 sides of a square. The path takes you through a bit of an industrial area with some very large glasshouses full of lettuces.
After a short walk along the road and down the drive to Utworth Manor, turn left across the field and meet up with the canal again. Stopped here for some lunch. The sun had now burnt though the mist and cloud and blue sky was appearing rather rapidly and temperatures were getting quite warm. Martin called to see how I was getting on - it was 11.30 and 9.56 miles walked.
It might not look it, but it was quite a comfortable seat, by the side of the canal.
After a short break, started walking again along the old tow path, this section was quite pretty. The path then turns away from the canal again, and comes out on a road. It was rather a long and hot walk along the road to Fastbridge at the junction with the A281.
Fastbridge is a very pretty bridge that can hardly be noticed from the A281, and I drive that road every day to work!! The bridge was restored in 1993. Stayed here for a while, just looking at the bridge and sitting in the shade. 11 miles now walked.
The Canal is piped under the road, and on crossing the road you are now at a point of the canal called Summit Level
This part of the canal has be restored as it runs through Dunsfold Park, formerly owned by British Aerospace, and Farnhurst Bridge is fully restored and inside the boundary of the Park, so fenced off.
Yet again the path turns away from the canal across a field and past a mobile home park, coming out on to the road at the "Three Compasses". This was the scene of the official opening of the Wey & Arun Junction Canal on 29th September 1816.
There is now another long walk along the road, and now hot & sunny, pass the Springbok Estate, at the bend in the road take the path on the left side of the road that leads to a Nature Reserve car park. Following the path to the right of the car park along the bridle way. Pass Fir Tree Copse on the right which is owned by Surrey Wildlife Trust. The copse is in Sidney Woods which is also part of Chiddingfold Forest.
Which is the Wey-South Path?, so out with the guide book!!!!!
Turned left onto the path which was now the tow path, the line of the canal is very clear, but unfortunately no water. This was a very pretty part of the walk and very relaxing going through the woods. Lots of Silver Washed Fritillary butterflies as well as White Admirals and lots of other butterflies, a real pleasure to see.
You follow the canal, which has been cleared, although empty, all through the woods.
At the end of this section there is a large open area which looks as if it was a turning or waiting area for the barges before entering the Lock XV. The path turns left along a wide track away from the canal, and on the right can be seen the Old Lock House.
Continue along this wide track until it meets a lane (Rosemary Lane) beside a cottage on the right, and meets up with the canal again over a bridge - this is High Bridge, a short distance down the lane from Alfold.
Martin picked me up from here on his way back from Bisley it was 1.30 pm and now 26 Deg, clear blue skies & hot. 14.8 miles walked since the start this morning through some very interesting and scenic places.
Some of the paths ore not that well signposted, and you could not do this walk without the guide book which is clear & detailed.
A map of the route can be seen here:-
http://surrey.walkandcycle.co.uk/mobile.php?trail=SURRTR0032
High Bridge is is where I will start next time to continue the journey toward the final destination of Amberly.
Millmead lock is the start of the walk and you head away from Guildford on the west bank of the river.
I left here at about 07.45 it was misty and also very muggy, but the forecast was for it to get hot this afternoon.
Stayed on this path till till I reached the A248 at Broadford Bridge, where you go over the bridge and continue on the eastern bank. it was now 08.35 and even more muggy.
This is one of the many Pill Boxes along the Godalming Navigation on a mound above the river. It was only a short distance to Stonebridge and crossing the A281. You are now on an old disused Railway, that links up with the Downs Link. In about 1/2 mile you meet up with the Downs Link at Tannery Bridge, and the path of the Canal can be seen clearly, but it is overgrown with bull rushes and other marsh plants.
Crossed back across the Downs link at 10.25 and had logged 7.4 miles. you can now see parts of the canal that have been infilled. Below was the sign telling you which path to follow at a "Y" junction!!!!!
You then walk past a large beautiful old farm house, and continue the tarmac drive with the canal on your right, coming out on the B2130 at Elmbridge. After crossing the road, you follow the canal through a field, this section of the canal is dry, then at the end of the field veer away from the canal as there is no right of way along this section, and you end up walking 3 sides of a square. The path takes you through a bit of an industrial area with some very large glasshouses full of lettuces.
After a short walk along the road and down the drive to Utworth Manor, turn left across the field and meet up with the canal again. Stopped here for some lunch. The sun had now burnt though the mist and cloud and blue sky was appearing rather rapidly and temperatures were getting quite warm. Martin called to see how I was getting on - it was 11.30 and 9.56 miles walked.
It might not look it, but it was quite a comfortable seat, by the side of the canal.
After a short break, started walking again along the old tow path, this section was quite pretty. The path then turns away from the canal again, and comes out on a road. It was rather a long and hot walk along the road to Fastbridge at the junction with the A281.
Fastbridge is a very pretty bridge that can hardly be noticed from the A281, and I drive that road every day to work!! The bridge was restored in 1993. Stayed here for a while, just looking at the bridge and sitting in the shade. 11 miles now walked.
The Canal is piped under the road, and on crossing the road you are now at a point of the canal called Summit Level
This part of the canal has be restored as it runs through Dunsfold Park, formerly owned by British Aerospace, and Farnhurst Bridge is fully restored and inside the boundary of the Park, so fenced off.
There is now another long walk along the road, and now hot & sunny, pass the Springbok Estate, at the bend in the road take the path on the left side of the road that leads to a Nature Reserve car park. Following the path to the right of the car park along the bridle way. Pass Fir Tree Copse on the right which is owned by Surrey Wildlife Trust. The copse is in Sidney Woods which is also part of Chiddingfold Forest.
Which is the Wey-South Path?, so out with the guide book!!!!!
You follow the canal, which has been cleared, although empty, all through the woods.
Continue along this wide track until it meets a lane (Rosemary Lane) beside a cottage on the right, and meets up with the canal again over a bridge - this is High Bridge, a short distance down the lane from Alfold.
Martin picked me up from here on his way back from Bisley it was 1.30 pm and now 26 Deg, clear blue skies & hot. 14.8 miles walked since the start this morning through some very interesting and scenic places.
Some of the paths ore not that well signposted, and you could not do this walk without the guide book which is clear & detailed.
A map of the route can be seen here:-
http://surrey.walkandcycle.co.uk/mobile.php?trail=SURRTR0032
High Bridge is is where I will start next time to continue the journey toward the final destination of Amberly.
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