Walks

OS: TQ 043493
Post Code: GU4 8SE

Duration:  Half day walk

Leader:  Clare Harrington

Directions:  From Guildford take A246/A25 to Newlands Corner and use Surrey County Council car park.

Habitat:  Walking on North Downs Way and woodland paths.  Can be muddy.

Attractions:  In winter: Potentially thrushes, Hawfinch, Siskin, Redpoll, Crossbills, Marsh Tit.  Warblers and Hirundines in spring and summer, woodland birds, raptors and Skylarks all year round.

Amenities:  Toilets and café in Surrey County Council car park.  Car park is currently free of charge.

Information:

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/culture-and-leisure/countryside/sites/visitor-information/newlands-corner

Patchwatcher’s blog: North Downs & Beyond

OS: SU 900416
Post Code: GU8 6LW

Duration:  Half day walk

Leader:  Tony Cummins

Directions:  Meet at the Moat Pond car park, halfway between Elstead and Thursley.

Habitat:  Easy walking on sandy paths and boardwalks through heathland with boggy areas and pools.

Attractions:  Spring/summer breeding heathland birds such as Dartford Warbler, Stonechat, Woodlark, Tree Pipit, Redstart, Nightjar and Woodcock, plus Curlew and Hobby.  In winter, Finches, Thrushes, Crossbills.  Great Grey Shrike used to be regular in the winter but has not been seen for a few years.  Good for Raptors. Good for dragonflies and butterflies in summer.

Amenities:  No facilities-nearest in Elstead village

Information:   Natural England

OS: SU 984530
Post Code: GU3 3RN

Duration:  Half day walk

Leader:  Malcolm Toyer

Directions:  Take A320 from Guildford towards Woking. Shortly after the roundabout and Jacobswell turning bear left into Burdenshott Road. After ¾ mile park in Surrey County Council 'walkers' car park on the left beside the Jolly Farmer pub.

Habitat:  Mixed areas of woodland and heathland.  No significant hills. Can be muddy in places. No stiles. The paths across the ‘moor’ are narrow in places.

Attractions:  Mixed woodland and lowland heath birds. Woodpeckers, Raptors and Dartford Warbler possible all year round. Nightingale, Nightjar and Cuckoo are present in summer.

Amenities:  No facilities on the moor itself but the pub is now open from 12-9pm

Information:  Information: Surrey Wildlife Trust

OS: SP 567132
Post Code: OX3 9TD

Duration:  All day walk

Leader:  Geoff Keen

Directions:  Travel on the M40 to Junction 8 and join A40 towards Oxford. After 5 miles, at large roundabout turn right to Barton, bear right into Bayswater Road for 2 miles, then right and immediately left into Horton Road, sign-posted Woodperry. After ¾ mile, through village turn left into Woodperry Road to Beckley. Turn right at High Street and soon left into Otmoor Lane. Follow this north for 1 mile past Lower Farm (RSPB office) to the Reserve car park.  Small car park which fills quickly, early start and car sharing where possible advisable.

Habitat:  Expect to walk round extensive marshland reserve for up to 4 hours, carry lunch.

Attractions:  Spring birds could include Grasshopper, Sedge and Reed Warblers, Lesser Whitethroats and Turtle Doves, Garganey, plus raptors such as Hobby, waders, Cuckoo, Yellowhammer, Cranes, Bittern.

Amenities:  None on the reserve.  The community owned pub The Abingdon Arms is nearby, just before turning into Otmoor Lane (open from 11am.)  There are motorway services off junction 8A of the M40.

Information:  RSPB website

OS: TQ 1305576
Post Code: KT23 3JG

Duration:  Half day walk

Leader:  Roger Beck

Directions:  Take A246 to Great Bookham, turn left into High Street then straight over crossroads signed to Station. After ¾ mile, before reaching the station, turn right into Tunnel Car Park. Parking free for members of National Trust – bring card; charge payable by non-members.

Habitat:  Woodland, open grassland, scrubby areas and ponds.  Some firm paths, can be extremely muddy and waterlogged in places after rain or in winter.

Attractions:  Birds depend on time of year; Hawfinch, Nightingale, various Tits and Finches, Nuthatch, Tree-Creeper, Woodpeckers, Cuckoo, Buzzards and Herons.  It is a known site for purple emperor butterfly and good for butterflies in general.

Amenities:  no facilities on site

Information:  https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/bookham-commons

OS: TQ

Postcode: GU4 8RB

Duration:  1 mile walk in evening

Leader:  Tony Fox

Directions:  From centre of Guildford take A281 as far as Shalford.  Turn left at roundabout onto Kings Road A248.  After 1.4 miles bear left onto Blackheath Lane. After 1.3 miles Blackheath Common car park is located on the right.

Habitat:  Dry and sandy paths across heathland with trees (1 mile walk in evening).

Attractions:  Late summer evenings:  Nightjar and Woodcock.  Other times:  Stonechat, Crossbill, Dartford Warbler, Siskin and Redpoll.

Amenities:  No facilities on site

OS: TQ 084514

Postcode KT24 6EP

Duration:  Half day walk

Leader:  Sara Shepley

Directions:  Take A246 from Guildford. At West Horsley roundabout turn right. Use the Shere Road car park on left after ¾ mile.
Habitat:  Easy walking conditions (2 miles), but can be muddy.
Attractions:  Good for fungi in autumn and butterflies in summer

Amenities:  No facilities on site

Information:  Surrey Wildlife Trust

OS: SZ 857964

Postcode:  PO20 7NE

Duration: All day. Bring lunch.

Leader: Malcolm Toyer

Directions: From the A27 Chichester bypass, take the B1245 to Sidlesham. Continue on the B2145 for 1½ miles to the RSPB Pagham Harbour car park, signposted on left.  Meet here and use facilities then car share and transfer to Earnley car park on Drove Lane for Medmerry, postcode PO20 7JL.  Depending on time, we can also look in at the Ferry Pool hide at Pagham.

Habitat:  Flat walk through farmland to the coast with views over salt marsh and freshwater pools.  Medmerry was constructed between 2012 and 2013 as part of a major coastal realignment project by the Environment Agency. It opened in 2013 to provide flood protection and create 183 hectares of new intertidal habitat. The site, which replaces former 1960s sea defences, now acts as a natural buffer, featuring a 7 km embankment. 

Attractions: Waders, Raptors and general farmland birds such as Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting.  Sea Ducks and Divers in winter

Amenities: Toilets at car park (RSPB reception serves hot drinks).  No facilities at Medmerry

Start at RSPB Pagham Harbour car park and then transfer and car share to smaller car park at Earnley