The villages of Surrey
A leisurely walk (countryside) in Surrey, England, about 9.20km (5.72 mi) long with an estimated walking time of about 3:00h. It is unsuitable for families with children, prams & pushchairs, wheelchairs.
Elevation Profile
Ascent
143m (469ft)
Descent
145m (475ft)
Max. Elevation
150m (492ft)
Altitude Gain & Loss
288m (944ft)
Start & End
Wanborough Station
Distance
9.20km
(5.72mi)
(5.72mi)
Duration
~3:00h
Difficulty
Leisurely
Ordnance Survey Map
Surrey is one of the UK's most green and pleasant counties, with beautiful villages set among the leafy surrounds of the rolling countryside. This walk (more of a stroll really) takes you around some interesting places in three villages near Guildford - a medieval barn, some old churches, and the curious Watts Memorial Chapel. The walk starts in Wanborough, before heading to Puttenham and Compton and then returning home, either to Guildford or back to Wanborough.
Walk Functions
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Waypoints
OS Grid SU931502
Take the train to Wanborough Station. It is actually in Flexford, but a short walk across the fields will take you to the ancient village of Wanborough. Records show people have lived here since 8,000 BC. Which is a very long time.
OS Grid SU933489
The Great Barn is an impressive building. It dates from 1388 and was built by Cistercian monks from Waverly Abbey. There is also an interesting church just up the road, the Church of St Bartholomew, which was built in 1060.
About 1.35 km (~0.84 miles) from 
OS Grid SU931483
One little problem with this walk is the A31, which runs along the top of the chalk ridge of the Hog's Back. It is not hard to cross - you can tackle each dual carriageway by itself - but may make the walk unsuitable for children/pushchairs/wheelchairs. Cars, eh!
About 0.61 km (~0.38 miles) from 
OS Grid SU934475
Once you have negotiated the road, take the footpath down into Puttenham. The Puttenham Priory is an impressive Georgian manor house on the edge of the village. The Good Intent pub is a good place for a quick refresher, and St John's church is worth a visit too, with its deep well near the gate.
About 0.85 km (~0.53 miles) from 
OS Grid SU954472
Head under the Guildford bypass to the next village, Compton. More interesting buildings here - the architecture has Saxon origins, with impressive structural arches covered in chalk from the Hog's Back.
About 2.01 km (~1.25 miles) from 
OS Grid SU956474
Just north of Compton is the Watts Memorial Chapel. It was built in 1896 by Mary Watts as a memorial to her husband, the Victorian painter George F Watts. This red brick building has some elaborate stonework all around and is well worth climbing up the short hill to appreciate.
About 0.24 km (~0.15 miles) from 
OS Grid SU957477
To the north of the Watts Memorial Chapel is the North Downs Way. This will take you on to the banks of the River Wey, just south of Guildford, from where it is a short walk into the town, which has excellent bus and train links.
About 0.29 km (~0.18 miles) from 
OS Grid SU944483
An alternative return is to take the NDW west to Monk's Hatch, and continue on to the path across the golf course, which takes you past Greyfriars Farm and back on to the Hog's Back. Cross over the road and head along the hidden footpath that runs beneath a line of ancient old trees.
About 1.40 km (~0.87 miles) from 
Wanborough Station againOS Grid SU932499
The path brings you right out by the church, from where you can retrace your steps to the station.
About 2.03 km (~1.26 miles) from 
