Clear skies with a promise of a sunny day, so I thought we could fill in
the section of the Wey canal path from Guildford to near Triggs lock where we
turned off yesterday. Then picking up the Fox Way traverse across towards
Worplesdon. In Whitmoor Common turn south and work through the edge of the
Guildford conurbation Passing Rydeshill and Park Barn up to teh Surrey
Research Park. From behind the old office pick up the frequently used track
back to teh P&R at Artington.
We parked up at the end of the P&R area near the railway line (and the gate
to the path). Then along the path and under the tracks to get to the St.
Catherine's Lock and pick up the tow path.
Along the Towpath towards Guildford, passing the chapel remains. Near the point
where the canal crosses towards the A281, we left towpath as I knew it died
beside the pub and only picked up beside one way system. We followed the private
lane of the expensive houses roughly straight to the one way system.
Town centre wharf and under the one way system bridges beside the YMCA.
Along the towpath beside the renovated warehouses - now residential. Winding
through the mixed use buildings until it came out opposite Dapdune Wharf.
Across the A25 then back down to teh tow path (on the other side of the canal)
and along under the A3. Before the canal turned East and passed a row of houses
all with boats parked at the bottom of the garden.
Next road crossing was at the A320 where we had to cross the road and down the
other side.
Stoke Lock and a boat moving through.
The next section was beside the Riverside park, and just open land on the other
side.
Another bridge leading to Bowers Mill and Lock, where we crossed the canal to
take a turn on the other side.
The next section was around Sutton Place - a huge Tudor mansion owned by some
rich external.
Beside the Broadoak Bridge - one of the driveways to Sutton Place - where the
canal turns north, then continuing around the edge of the estate. Up to the
bridge below Triggs Lock.
Over the bridge (looking up to the lock) then along a driveway out to the back
road in Sutton Green. We were now following the Fox Way once more.
We followed the back road along to the Olive Tree pub, then up frog lane
passing the farm of the same name.
Out onto the private road through the exclusive housing estate of Pyle Hill.
Across teh A320 and down the Prey Heath road. A minor diversion into the open
access area beside the road to save walking on tarmac.
Leaving the Heath and under the main rail line, before turning up to the
Worplesdon rail station.
We followed the Fox Way up the track beside the rail tracks, and then a private
driveway leading up to another back road.
Continuing along back roads through unnamed hamlet, until we could turn south
into Whitmore common beside Gooserye first on the drive then a maintained
track.
The common changed from woodland into water meadows, but still on a prepared
track.
Leaving the water meadows and back into woodland beside the car park, before
coming out into the estates surrounding Guildford.
Along the estate roads before we could get into Chitty's Common ... much
less looked after, but still not too muddy.
Another section of housing estate, until we could get into Ryde's Hill open
access area. We crossed the first section up then turned down hill.
Picking up a track that led down to the A323. Crossing it and after searching
around for a better route settled on the extremely muddy track leading down to a
back road.
The section around Park Barn was very wet and boggy - not a good trail. Once
under the rail line it improved up to the Surrey research park, then went muddy
again. Improved once more as we walked up the side of the Priestley Centre.
Through Surrey sports park, and climbing up to the A3 and the bridge over it.
Across teh road and down a housing street before climbing up a twitten, then
over the A31 and teh climb to the ridge beyond. Time for a snack to be ready for
the final effort.
Looking from the top towards Woking, then along teh track on the top of the
ridge.
After dropping down the other side and looking back up the slope, before
travelling east on the North Downs way for a short section
A zigzag down a lane to Littleton, before picking up a bridleway continuing to
the east between fields and alongside the Mount Browne Police HQ.
Along the HQ driveway to teh A3100, and across into teh industrial units. then back into the car park, walking to the end where the van was waiting.
