Hop on the train to Horsley for this circular walk taking in woods, historic buildings, great panoramas and a well-earned refreshment stop at a traditional English pub, says John Curtin
The Horsley Jubilee Trail, a nine-mile circular walk from Horsley station, has all the ingredients for a fine day out - woods, views, plenty of historic features, good signage and the prospect of a well-deserved pint in a quintessential English pub near the end of the walk. The Horsley Jubilee Trail leaflet and map, available free from Surrey Hills Partnership (see right), is beautifully illustrated and contains information about the buildings, landscape and wildlife along the route.
Turn right out of Horsley station and down the steps to cross Ockham Road North. Bear right and continue under the railway bridge, passing, on your right, a series of brick and flint buildings that were restored in the 1860s by the Earl of Lovelace.
After passing Glenesk School on your left, re-cross the road at the junction to The Drift, opposite, and follow the yellow markers for Horsley Jubilee Trail uphill and through the woods, which will be filled with rhododendrons in May. Continue around the back of the houses in The Highlands, bearing left to follow a wide track that emerges further along The Drift.
Turn right and right again over the railway bridge and take the third road on your left, Heath Way. Follow the road to the right and then take the bridleway on the left, turning immediately hard right along the edge of Effingham Common to the top right-hand corner of the common.
Cross the road diagonally right, continue along the bridleway, ignoring turns until you reach the information board to Great Ridings Wood on your left. Enter the woods, fork right in 50m at the first waymark, cross a bridge and follow the yellow markers to exit the woods by a gate at Orestan Lane. Cross diagonally left and follow yellow markers through Parrott’s Copse to emerge on Old London Lane. Go left to the end of the lane; the sign opposite reads Calvert Road. Bear right; this becomes Dirtham Lane to reach the A246 or Guildford Road.
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