After 4 days of sun and a heat wave this would be the last day before
thunderstorms come over, although it was forecast to be overcast and cooler
than the last few days. I wanted to go and workout a good route for the next
AAC walk I would lead around the Horsley jubilee walk. I needed to check out
some extensions, but also as I was in the van and all the local car parks had
height limitations - so I chose to start slightly south of the route using an
off road layby near Upper Common.
Luckily there was still a space in the lay-by and we were soon dropping down the track aroudn Upper common that follows the edge of the open access area.
The path led around to the wood yard at the end of Honeysuckle bottom. From the end of the access road we climbed steeply up along the edge of Mountain wood (presumably named for the steep slopes on each side).
On the top of the slope we left the edge and crossed the middle of the woods on a wide forestry track. This dropped down and across to Green Dene Sheepleas car park. From the car park we climbed up into the woods of Sheepleas.
Through the ash trees up to the top where we crossed to Angel clump with its large picnic area, then across to the viewpoint. A very hazy view of London Docklands
Freeform descent down through the woods and glades of the north side of Sheepleas.
Passing the car park near St Mary's church and up to the A246.
The path crossed the road and up the edge of West Horsley Place (big house) in grazing fields.
A slight zigzag around the field edge (slightly boggy in places) and we came out on the road through West Horsley. A slight diversion to check out the pub
We dropped back into the fields to zigzag up to railway line. We then followed the railway line fence along to a bridge.
Up the lane on the other side past Lollesworth farm to the road junction at the end of the lane. Then along the footpath through the village to a T junction with B2039.
Into the start of the forest nature trail, before turning across the new road and into the woods beside the golf course.
Through the rhododendrons and ferns of the Blue ride coming out onto Whitehill Lane. Then along the lane continuing past the junction to Blackmore farm.
Alongside a series of grass fields on a track between the fences - however there was also a track along the field edge.
A zigzag beside a barn and the edge of a wood with a number of structures in it. coming out to cross a back road, following the driveway to a chicken farm. the drive way ended at a junction and we had to guess the path route.
Down here the path, kind of got overgrown and boggy especially alongside a paintball playground, however we followed a faint trail that came out opposite the driveway to Newmarsh farm.
The farm seems to be a junkyard for old vehicles now. After the farm we came to a field after crossing under the railway line. The path was still a little vague and this was the most boggy of the day. We followed the edge of the field and skipped the flooded hedge crossing before escaping onto a bridlepath.
Over the bridlepath and down a muddy footpath beside fields, and back to the railway line.
Across a grass field and into the open access area beyond. The path here got exceedingly muddy, and we had to skirt around several bad parts using the trees. We left the path and crossed to the Effingham Junction station at the point where it disappeared into the undergrowth.
Along the access road to the station car park and down the path beside the train repair depot.
Turning onto Effingham Common and following the bridleway across it, and around the ponds.
A gradual climb up to the top corner and onto old London road - which is a gravel track. Back on the Jubilee trail once again.
leaving the track to circle around in Great Ridings wood.
Follwoign the jubilee trail as it zigzagged around the woods - not sure where the real route went but we found it again near the end of the Green field farm drive. This path brought us back to Dirtham lane that folllows the boundary wall of Horsley Towers.
The gravel lane turned into a tarmacked road and led up to the A246. Over this and into the woods beyond. We cut over to a large field so that we could get a view.
Vague view of Horsley towers through the trees just before entering the woods again.
First of the Lovelace bridges, then up onto the track across it.
The next bridge was just rubble on the side, and we cut into Hangers wood.
The next bridge was over the back road that we used to cross over and into Coles Copse.
Back on the bridges trail between the next two ones.
Down through the last one to Green Dene. then along the access road to the wood yard (Honeysuckle Bottom) we passed on the way out, then up a path into Mountain wood, gradually climbing up.
The final section was a reverse of the first one this morning. Back to the van in the lay-by.
