Walks

OS: TR 014647
Post Code: ME13 0QA

Duration:  All day walk, bring lunch. High tide 13.59

 Leader:  Tony Cummins

Directions:  Take the M2 to junction 6, then A251 to Faversham, where it meets the A2(T), then turn left. After 1 mile turn right at roundabout just past Ospringe onto the B2045 to Oare Village. Turn left at the T junction in front of the boat yard, then right into a narrow road just behind the Village pub (Three Mariners), and proceed to the Reserve car park at the end (signposted Harty Ferry).  Car parking fee of £3.50 at weekends, can be paid in advance via RingGo.  Please note-the postcode above takes you to the Three Mariners pub.

Habitat:  Grazing marsh with freshwater dykes, open water scrapes, reedbeds, saltmarsh and seawall.

Attractions:  The Reserve has pathways around the edge of the marshes and the Swale banks, including some hides. Winter can be good for waders and occasional raptors. Spring and autumn are good for migrating waders and passerines. Breeding birds in the reed beds include reed and sedge warblers and bearded tits.

Amenities: There are no facilities at the Reserve, but at weekends between April and November the toilets at the nearby Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park may be available. Toilets also available at the superstore.

Information:  https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/oare-marshes

OS: SU 878491
Post Code: GU12 4BP

Duration:  Half day walk

 Leader:  Tony Cummins

Directions:  Take the A31 towards Farnham. At the Shepherd & Flock roundabout take the third exit (A325). At the second roundabout turn right (B3208) towards Badshot passing a superstore. After passing through the village on the Badshot Lea Road look for a garage on the left.  Continue on the B3208. Turn right after half mile into Guildford Road (sign-posted cricket club and crematorium), park at far end of road in Aldershot Park (not Lido car park).

Habitat:  The group walk takes a public path across the recreation ground to Tongham GP and along its western edge to the extraction works at Tice’s Meadow. Views can be obtained across the open water from the Mound. The pathways can be very wet and muddy in the winter.

Attractions:  Spring and autumn visits can find migrating ducks, waders, hirundines and gulls. Summer breeding birds include little ringed plovers and common terns, while the surrounding woods are good for warblers.

Amenities:  No facilities on site, nearest facilities in superstore in Badshot Lea.

Information:  Sightings: http://www.ticesmeadow.org/

Postcode:  RH20 2EL

Duration: Half day walk.

Leader: Malcolm Toyer

Directions: Take A283 to Pulborough. 2 miles south of Pulborough turn right into RSPB Reserve car park.

Habitat: Firm paths throughout, with hides and lookouts over flooded brooks (2 mile walk).

Attractions: Birds vary through year, with ducks and waders, migrant warblers, nightingales, woodpeckers and occasional raptors such as Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Hobby and White Tailed Sea Eagle.

Amenities: Toilets in RSPB Information Centre. Bring lunch or use café.

Info: https://rspb.org.uk/pulboroughbrooks

Please bring appropriate clothing and footwear for conditions on the day which can be subject to change at any time. You will be expected to use the walk in such a way as not to place yourselves or others at risk.  Be aware of the potential for ticks and tick bites, checking yourself afterwards and seeking medical help if required (in the event of a bulls-eye rash or flu symptoms following a bite.)  Please let the leader know if you want to leave the group at any stage on the day.

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