An Autumnal Arboretum Airing with Arts & Crafts Architecture

IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement

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In the late nineteenth century, designers rejected mass production and returned to simple forms, traditional materials and folk and medieval influences. Unfortunately we'll only get glimpses of the homes designed by Edwin Lutyens and their gardens designed by Gertrude Jekyll that line our route as they are hidden by high hedges and specimen trees. On the plus side, the specimen trees at the National Trust arboretum of Winkworth should give a dazzling display of colour, likewise the mixed woodland of the Surrey Hills AONB all around, while more colour will be seen at those buildings we can visit: the churches with stained glass and fittings by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris. 

The sights:

Busbridge: On the edge of Godalming. St John the Baptist Church by George Gilbert Scott, 1865-7. Stained glass designed by Edward Burne-Jones or Archibald Keightley Nicholson and made by William Morris. Iron rood by Edwin Lutyens. War memorial and graves to horticulturalist and garden designer Gertrude Jekyll (d. 1932) and family also by Lutyens. 

Munstead: No village, just a group of country houses in a woodland setting built mostly by Edwin Lutyens under the sponsorship of Gertrude Jeykll. The houses, which use local stone, timber-framing and tradional forms aren't large but are well-hidden among the trees, the area still looking a lot like it did in the late C19. Jekyll's own house and garden in which she perfected her design of spacious borders with swathes of colour is Munstead Wood (1896-7). The high wall prevents scrutiny but we'll see her triangular Thunder House from where she could watch storms. The water tower is 40 m (130 ft) high, constructed in 1898. Now a private home (the garden of which I trespassed during the recce!).

Winkworth Arboretum: More of a superb landscape garden than a mere collection of trees. Occupying a wooded hillside with fine views. Home to around a thousand species of trees. Begun by Dr Wilfred Fox in 1938 and given to the National Trust in 1952. Although famed for its rhododrendron and azalea displays in spring, its founder did select and plant trees such as Asian maples, liquidambars and scarlet oaks for their autumnal colour. We will use a public footpath that goes through the middle of the garden.

Hydon's Ball: A hill of 179m in the care of the National Trust. At its highest point is a large stone seat which was placed there in 1915 as a memorial to Octavia Hill, one of the Trust's founders. On its slopes grow pine, rowan, ash and birch and two non-native shrubs (Amelanchier and Gaultheria) planted by Gertrude Jekyll. 

Hascombe: A picturesque location in a wooded valley and one of the prettiest villages in the county. All stone and tile-hanging and feeling isolated and timeless. We'll have lunch beside the village pond and church. The White Horse, in which we could have a drink, is C16-C17. Overpowering Snowdenham Hall, 1868 and 1887, by Ralph Nevill. Hoe Farm is C15, remodelled in the C17, with a dining wing added by Lutyens in 1892.

St Peter's Church, Hascombe: 'A Tractarian work of art' (Betjeman). By Henry Woodyer, 1864. The plain exterior hides a richly decorated interior with gilding and painting. A medieval rood screen made of Jerusalem olive wood has been incorporated.

Godalming: A very attractive town. From being a centre for clothmaking, weaving and leatherworking in the Middle Ages, it prospered in the C18 as a coaching stop on the way to London. There are many timber-framed medieval and Tudor buildings, some re-fronted with Georgian brick. Pretty Market Hall with a cupola, 1814. 

River Wey and Godalming Navigation: Part of a scheme to link the River Thames to the River Arun (and hence London to the English Channel), the Wey was made navigable in 1653 with 12 locks between Weybridge and Guildford. (A navigation differs from a canal in that it is a river made navigable.) Construction of the Godalming Navigation, a further four locks, was completed in 1764. Commerical traffic ceased in 1983 but before then the navigations were donated for recreational use and restoration in 1968.

Dogs:

I welcome dogs on my walks and this is highly suitable for them. It is quite long and there will be some roads to walk along and cross, but much of the walk will be through woods and heaths. Dogs need to be on leads at Winkworth. A dog off its lead must be obedient.

The route (please click the link in red):

We'll set off eastwards through the town of Godalming along the High Street before crossing the A3100 heading south to Crownpits and Busbridge. Before reaching Alldens Hill we'll take a footpath to Winkworth Arboretum. Crossing the arboretum using the public footpath we'll emerge at the Brighton Road and take a bridleway along the valley to Hydon's Ball. We'll then turn east to go along Marespond Lane to Hascombe. Heading south along Hoe Lane will take us near the church, pub, pond and lunch spot. Our route back will take the Greensand Way northeast almost to Bramley, then footpaths and bridleways from Upper Bonhurst to Eastwater House. Crossing Snowdenham Lane we'll use the Fox Way west past Farley Hill almost to Farncombe where veering southwest across Lammas Lands and the along the navigation will take us back to the town centre.  

COVID-19  – IMPORTANT, Please read the following before you sign up to this event:

• Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are extremely mild, or who lives or is in a support bubble with someone showing symptoms, is asked not to attend. This is in line with the government’s coronavirus advice.
• You must also immediately self-isolate and not attend the event if you or someone in your household or support bubble shows coronavirus symptoms or tests positive. You can find the NHS self-isolation guidance here.
• The main symptoms of COVID-19 are a high temperature, a new continuous cough, and a loss or change to your sense of taste and/or smell.
• You may be subject to local lockdown restrictions, which you must fully comply with. Details of the location of these restrictions can be found here for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.   
• We do not encourage car sharing to events during the pandemic. Please comply with the safety travel guidance for England, Wales, and Scotland. Face coverings should be worn on public transport.
• OutdoorLads will support the tracing systems in place across the UK  and attendance at an OutdoorLads event is considered permission to use contact details for this purpose if requested by the appropriate authority.  
• All are required to practice social distancing – staying 2m (not 1m) apart at all times, including the lunch stop. Remember: Face, Hands, Space.
• Unfortunately, there won’t be any planned pub / café stops en route or at the end, and please don’t share sweets or snacks with others – we’re sorry!
• Please bring your own hand sanitising gel for your own use throughout the day. Use of face coverings is at your own choice, but please bring one with you just in case it's needed. Please bring any other PPE items required. Bring a disposable bag for any used PPE.
• Members are advised to bring their own small first aid kit for personal use..
• Be aware that opportunities for toilet stops may be minimal if facilities are closed.
• Please, please cancel at your earliest opportunity if you are unable to attend or are unwell, so that we can allow others to take up these valuable event spaces.
• Much as it's difficult - no handshakes or hugs!

COVID-19: Events Participation Statement

OutdoorLads draws your attention to the fact that travelling and being away from home increases the risk of receiving and transmitting Coronavirus, whilst it is present in the UK. You are likely to choose not to participate in OutdoorLads events whilst there is a risk of Coronavirus transmission. However, should you choose to participate in OutdoorLads events whilst the risk is present, you must be aware of and follow the law and government guidelines, both when travelling to and from events as well as when participating in events.

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(Picture credits: Winkworth Arboretum, Boat House by Len Williams; Fields near Bramley by Chris Thomas-Atkin; Winkworth Arboretum, Panorama by Len Williams; St John the Baptist, Busbridge, stained glass window by Basher Eyre; Busbridge Parish Church: Tyer Memorial Window (1920, A.K. Nicholson) 2, King Alfred by Michael Garlick; Busbridge Parish Church: Ramsden Memorial Window (Burne-Jones, Morris & co. 1899) 1 by Michael Garlick; Miss Jekyll's Thunder House, Heath Lane, Busbridge by Stefan Czapski; Driveway to Munstead House by Stefan Czapski; Munstead Water Tower by Colin Smith; Winkworth Arboretum, Asian Trees by Len Williams; Bridleway branching away from track in Juniper Valley by Dave Spicer; Hydon's Ball by Colin Smith; Trig point on Hydon's Ball with view of Blackdown by Shazz; Markwick Lane by Robin Webster; Hoe Farm by N Chadwick; Hascombe, St. Peter's Church: The cross above the chancel screen by Michael Garlick; Hascombe from the South-East by Colin Smith; Scotsland Farm by Peter Trimming; Fields near Bramley by Andrew Longton; Farncombe lock by Alan Hunt; The Market House, Godalming by Colin Smith; Church Street, Godalming by Des Blenkinsopp. All pictures are attributed to their copyright holders and are licensed for re-use under Creative Commons BY-SA 2.0.)