Going Wey Down again to Martha and the Looking Glass

A very modest alternative to the Big Spring Camp and Dorset Double. This is a Sunday outing, and in the interests of recycling was also my assessment walk in November 2022, now “lovingly improved”. 

This is a circular walk starting and finishing at Guildford Station, passing Guildford town centre, following the River Wey with optional detour to St Catherine’s Hill, then close to Shalford and then the North Downs Way and Pilgrims Way. It climbs to the celebrated views southwards from St Martha’s Church for a picnic lunch stop. We’ll then return passing Pewley Down to Guildford, passing the castle and town centre, with an optional pub stop. 

The sights:

River Wey: The river rises in the South Downs and passes Guildford on its way to the Thames. Through the town, it runs close to the Wey Navigation with its narrow boats and craft, passing the island on which the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre is situated, and Millmead Lock.

St Catherine’s Chapel: Optional, as you can wait at the river for 15/20 minutes instead. A short climb will take us to the “chapel of ease” built in the 14th century to save parishioners the longer journey to Guildford. The chapel and its fair were painted by JMW Turner and it is now a ruin with extensive views over the Downs.

Shalford Mill: This property on the Tillingbourne Stream was donated to the National Trust by the masked and anonymous Ferguson Gang - five or six ladies who donated to the Trust in unconventional ways: money inside a bottle of sloe gin, a cigar of fake metallic pineapple (the last of which caused a bomb scare at the AGM). Alas, the mill has been closed since Covid but we'll see the outside.

North Downs Way: A section of the 153-mile North Downs Way combines with the Pilgrims Way, passing woodland, chalk grassland and surprisingly sandy soils as we head up to St Martha’s church. 

St Martha’s Hill and Church: The 12th century church was rebuilt in 1850 but retains its 12th century font. At 175m, it just makes the top 20 of Surrey Hills, although the views belie the modest height with a wide panorama southward across Albury, Chilworth and to the South Downs. There are only three churches in England dedicated to St Martha, who reputedly witnessed the resurrection of her brother Lazarus.

Pewley Down: Chalk downland abounds at this nature reserve, which links the North Downs and Guildford, and is “preserved for time immemorial as a playground for the people of Guildford". 

Guildford town and Castle: The Castle keep dates back to Norman times and is surrounded by probably the best tended garden displays in Guildford. Reverend Charles Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) preached in Guildford and found a home for his six unmarried sisters here, whom he visited regularly and where he died. The statue of Alice Through the Looking Glass commemorates his connection to the town.

The route (please click the link https://explore.osmaps.com/route/14490961/wey-down-to-martha-through-the-looking-glass to see the route at the Ordnance Survey website):

The start of the walk is at the station, going southwards on the western side of the River Wey with optional walk up and down St Catherine’s Hill (15/20 minutes return) for the view, and then as far as St Catherine's Lock where we cross over Shalford Water Meadows, through Shalford and past the National Trust mill before entering Chantry Wood. Wide views open up northward to Pewley Down which we will be on the return route. After the sandy soils of Whinny Hill, we climb to St Martha’s Hill and St Martha’s church, stopping for a picnic lunch and (if open) visit to the church.

Descending north and then westwards to the foot of the Hill, we follow a lane before ascending gradually again through fields to Pewley Down. Via the hilly suburbs of Guildford, we descend towards Castle Hill. We’ll take a look at the Castle Gardens, the surprisingly picturesque view of Guildford and the looking glass at the Alice in Wonderland statue. We pass the famous cobbled High Street before an optional stop at a pub after crossing the River Wey back to the station.

New Members:

New members are very welcome. Please message me if you have any questions or concerns before the day. Whilst we are a very open and welcoming group, if you wish, we may be able to organise an existing member to buddy up with you before or on the day. Do also feel free to arrive early as I’m always around much earlier than the start time. 

Dogs:

I love having dogs on my walks and this walk is ideal for them, although there may be some fields with livestock and will be some roads to walk along. A dog off the lead must be obedient.

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(All images were taken by the Alex Young in October and November 2022.)