This walk from Godalming station, in Surrey, is superb, particularly in autumn when the collection of more than 1,000 exotic trees and shrubs at Winkworth Arboretum comes out in spectacular and vibrant splashes of gold, crimson and orange in a hillside setting with sweeping views. Winkworth is the vision of Dr Wilfrid Fox, an amateur gardener and botanist, who acquired the land in the late 1930s. He wanted to create a landscape that everybody could enjoy, and allowed public access from the outset. The arboretum, now managed by the National Trust, has two lakes, wildlife in abundance, and vegetation to provide colour and fragrance throughout the year. A public right of way goes through the property (follow the yellow arrows), but if you intend to leave the footpath and enjoy the legacy of Dr Fox's plantings, non-National Trust members will have to pay an admission charge. Winkworth Arboretum Tearoom is an excellent lunch stop, serving home-made soups and bread, ploughman's and cream teas. The walk is mostly along bridleways and lanes returning along the River Wey towpath.
Leave Godalming station, turn right and follow Mill Lane to Station Road and turn right to the pedestrian lights. Cross to Holloway Hill Road opposite and climb steeply uphill. Take the second left on to Busbridge Lane and right at the recreation grounds and straight on to the junction of Home Farm Road and Quartermile Road. Then follow the signed bridleway across and slightly to your right. When it forks left, follow it downhill, over the bridge and uphill. Continue along a tree-canopied track emerging at Clock Barn Farm House. Keep straight on, cross a road, pass a sign to "House in the Wood" and "Inwood Cottage" then a signpost in 50 yards. Take the bridleway left to reach Clock Barn Lane. Turn right along the road to the junction with Salt Lane and then turn left. After 50 yards take the public footpath on the left. Follow it, ignoring turns off, to pick up a dirt track ahead as it forks right uphill through the pines of Juniper Valley. Emerge at South Munstead Farm and keep straight on to reach a tarmac road. Turn right and emerge opposite the entrance to Winkworth Arboretum.
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