More rain over the weekend, was limiting options, however with sun
predicted for today, I chose to head up to the sandy areas beyond Elstead. The
aim was to park at Tilford Beach and walk over the river using the road bridge
then along the lanes to Charleshill. Across Crooksbury Common to Crooksbury
hill, before return via the local car park down to the river near Waverleymill
Bridge. Over the river using the Tilfordmill bridge and along the road to
Alice Holt Bourne wood extension, around the wood and also the neighbouring
RSPB nature reserve before crossing into Tankersford wood. Across the river
(again) then following it back to the car park.
We parked in the area between the cricket pitch and the swollen river, before
setting out across the road bridge - only just clear of the water - and into the
village.
Along the main street before turning off onto Whitmead lane - a narrow
single track road.
The lane turned around a sharp hairpin bend in front of the gatehouse for
Whitmead house, and we continued away from the road on a byway track beside the
fence line
The byway track came out next to the Donkey Pub, where we crossed the B3001, and
up the lane beside the fence of Charleshill estate.
The lane served a number of expensive houses, before ending at a crossroad into
Crooksbury Common.
A wide track up through the wooded common.
Leaving the common, and onto another lane (this one serving the houses of Stone
Hill - equally as expensive). Across the back road and into the open access area
of Crooksbury Hill
We circled around the back of the hill, passing the ancient hill fort - Soldiers
Ring - just a faint outline of an earthwork. Then turning up the steep slope to
the top, and the viewpoint.
Looking south towards Devil's Punch Bowl
Descending the steps on the south side of Crooksbury hill, down to the car park,
and on through the woods to a driveway/ green lane that cut down towards the
B3001 once again. We crossed over and followed a path into what turned out to be
a private wood, as after following tracks in roughly the direction we wanted we
had to cross a fence to get onto the byway beside the river Wey
Looking over the river to the Abbey remains and the Waverley Abbey House. Then
following the green lane past sheephatch copse. Continuing over Sheephatch
lane.
Before reaching Tilhill house, we cut back on a rough path to cross the river at
Tilfordmill Bridge, then along the lane up to the Tilford road.
At the road junction we crossed into the RSPB reserve and turned parallel to the
road passing an old Lime Kiln (slightly filled with leaves).
Crossing over into Bourne wood - an extension of Alice Holt forest - all of a
sudden there were a lot more people around, as this is obviously a popular place
to walk around.
The boundary path was closed near the car park and so we turned into the middle
climbing up to the highest point. This is also an area where there are lots of
filming (apparently).
Following the summit plateau to the western edge we turned along the boundary
dropping down to go back into the RSPB reserve climbing up to another ridge.
Turning along the ridge back towards where we had entered the reserve initially.
We stayed out of the fenced area until we found a sign saying that dogs were
restricted during nesting season (which it was not).
We reached the bridle path through the middle as we left the trees. Here the
landscape changed and we followed a sandy path, and then a Stoney one
The track led to a layby at the edge of the reserve, where we followed parallel
to the road into a corner.
Across the back road and down the driveway to Tilford Reeds, where we entered
Tankersford Common - Another RSPB reserve, but this one has no public access.
Just before Pierrepont home farm we through about taking the forest walk, but
continued down to the footbridge over the river Wye and up the other side to the
byway that had come from Frencham ponds.
One final challenge, where the byway disappeared into a large puddle. the little
bridge just ended at a deep point. We took a detour through the woods and
crossed the stream higher up using a couple of logs.
Opposite Tilford Common we left the byway for a bridlepath that followed the
river. swollen but not flooded.
The bridlepath came out at the village green, next to the Tilford Oak bridge. We crossed the cricket pitch back to the van passing the Barley Mow pub.
