This lovely spring walk, starting from Guildford station and finishing at Dorking station, follows the North Downs Way with great vistas, pretty villages and bluebells. By John Curtin
Follow the North Downs Way (NDW) as it climbs through bluebell-filled woods in spring to the Pilgrims' Church, on St Martha's Hill, offering superb views across the Downs. With classic woodland along the chalk ridge to Ranmore Common, the route descends to Dorking via a vineyard.
The only tricky bit is getting to the NDW. Leave Guildford station (1) by the exit nearest Platform 2 marked "To town centre". Using the underpass, follow the blue signs "Town centre via Riverside Walk". Turn right at the river to the White House pub. Follow the path around it. Cross the pedestrian bridge at Millmead Lock and turn right before the second bridge on to the towpath. Opposite Guildford Boat House, cross the meadow diagonally right and continue right along the towpath. Cross at the next bridge to the opposite bank (2).
From now on, follow the "North Downs Way" signs, sometimes marked with an acorn, the symbol of the National Trail.
Cross the meadows, over the playing fields and cross the A281 to Pilgrims' Way. Veer right at the junction with Echo Pit Road, pass Chantry Cottage on your right, following an uphill track through the woods (3). At Halfpenny Lane, turn left then right at Southern Cottage, sign obscured (4). The route is straight uphill to St Martha's Church, originally Norman; enjoy the fine views from one of the benches.
Follow the NDW downhill to White Lane, going left at Keeper's Cottage, and uphill to cross the lane to Albury Downs and on to Newlands Corner (5). In 1926, novelist Agatha Christie staged her own 10-day disappearance here. There's a countryside centre and, across the road, at the Barn Restaurant & Coffee Shop, you'll find great food. Leave the Barn, turning left on to the NDW into dense woodland.
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