Clear skies for the early morning, with rain predicted for the
afternoon, so I planned a short walk around the Lovelace bridges in the woods
below East Horsley. From visits earlier this year I knew that the Green Dene
and Shere Road car parks had a height limit of 1.9m so I planned a route that
would start at St Mary's church car park - or if that was also limited then
back to the one I had used last time near Netley Heath.
Arriving at St Mary's I discovered that there were two car parks, one beside
the church with a wooded height restriction (and no indication of the limit),
as well as a huge one behind that had the 1.9m limit. Frustrated and having to
turn around in a narrow lane, I had to drive halfway under to get around, and
found that the limit was wrong and I could sneak under - the top bar had a
couple of wooden blocks lifting it and extra 0.1m. Relieved I parked up
amongst all the dog walkers arriving after the school run duties, and we
rushed away from packs of uncontrolled and loose dogs.
Just up the track we entered into Sheepleas open access area, crossing into an
open field - even more loose dogs
We moved quickly away from the hordes and into the woods heading down through
the enclosed area on the paths in the trees and occasional open spaces.
From here we would wind our way through the remaining bridges - some have
plaques next to them, but others have been stolen
We dropped down through the woods to cross Green Dene road and into woods on the
other side. Climbing up past teh first bridge - Raven Arch
Continuing up the bridleway to Briary Hill Bridges East and West).
The track dropped down to Cocknorth road, crossing it and down a firebreak track
on the other side, then curving back to cross Dorking Arch
Down beside some fencing that marked the edge of the wood passing under Robin
Hood arch back onto Green Dene road.
At teh T-junction with Cocknorth road we crossed onto a bridleway beside Hangers
wood, then alongside a grass field circling around back into the woods
Climbing up once more and under Stony Dene Bridge - with a large sign.
We turned towards East Horsley and the edge of the open access area. Here were
the remains of Pine Grove bridge. We also turned off to try and find the remains
of Outdowns bridge, but there was no sign of this so we returned to Stony Dene
bridge.
Continuing up the hill past Stony Dene, and passing the site of Horse Close
Bridge.
Leaving the open access area and alongside a field, then turning to go under
Meadow Plat Bridge.
this track ended at a driveway which we followed up to Crocknorth road, along
it for a short section then down another drive down to reach Sheepwalk
Lane.
Along the byway of Sheepwalk Lane, under Hermitage bridge beside the house of
the same name. then to Troy Bridge at the end of Honeysuckle bottom.
The parking areas nearby Troy Bridge, before turning up past the sawmill into
the woods coming down from the North Downs way.
Following the bridleway as it Curved around to Netley Heath, and up to the
small car park we used last time we were here.
Continuing along inside Netley Heath until the bridleway came out at a car
park beside Combe Lane.
We now turned back north to return to the car park, following a bridleway up
to Woodcote Farm.
Forward through the farm land to Hillside manor and farm. Around the manor the
path had been redirected around some paddocks.
We had now reached Sheepleas once again, passing the Shere road car park and
into the picnic area
At the top of the hill the view north looked towards Canary Wharf in London.
Then down the main bridleway back to the church car park.
Back to the car park - now just the lunchtime walkers and no dog packs, just individual ones.
