A good walk is a tonic, but it must meet certain criteria – and here’s one that ticks all the boxes
There’s plenty of evidence linking walking with wellbeing. It’s partly about giving the lungs a good workout and unleashing those energising endorphins, but it’s also about connection. A jolly good walk is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with family, friends and colleagues while enjoying beautiful views, good pubs and picnic spots.
But what constitutes a jolly good walk? There are several crucial elements.
It needs to be long enough to make getting to the start worth the effort. And there should be a Plan B for those who don’t think they can complete the whole thing. Also, it should be accessible by train. There is something quite exciting about alighting at a station you don’t know and heading off into the unknown. Of course, there needs to be a coffee stop, a picnic place and at least one country pub. The walk should be off the beaten track as far as possible and incorporate hills and views (you can’t have one without the other), as well as points of interest and plenty of flora and fauna.
It’s not easy pulling all these essential elements together. I have relied upon friends to give me their best ideas, treating them as curators or even alchemists. One of my favourite walks is within 40 minutes of London by train, and I am indebted to my friend Bertie and his dog Ruby for the inspiration. Nobody knows the Surrey Hills like Bertie and Ruby!
Buy a return to Guildford from Waterloo, having bought some light sustenance at M&S. Dwell for a moment over a coffee in Costa at Guildford Station, and within five minutes you are walking beside the River Wey and heading out of town faster than you know. Stresses and strains are already receding from your mind as you enjoy the tranquillity of the Shalford water meadows. Joining the Pilgrims Way and heading up through the ancient Chantry Wood, those endorphins are kicked into action as your heart begins to take the strain. Payback time arrives soon after with your arrival at St Martha’s Church, perched precariously on top of the hill with panoramic views to the south. Linger awhile in the graveyard and take note of the Victoria Cross hero buried there.
Bertie discovered a lovely bench sitting all on its own just below the church. It’s the perfect spot to break open the snacks. I am tempting fate by writing this, but I have never
yet bumped into anyone else there. We’ve christened the spot “Bertie’s Bench” and it is an ideal place for taking a short breather and a moment to reflect. Refreshed, continue on the footpath past streams (ideal for paddling) and lakes before thoughts turn to lunch.
We have incorporated the Drummond Arms in Albury into this walk. Jay is a very welcoming landlord and the lunch is delicious. It does mean a little bit of walking on the main road, but that is a small price to pay. For those who have had their fill of walking by this point, there is the additional benefit of having the bus stop bang opposite for a direct journey back to Guildford Station after lunch. It’s amazing how reassuring a Plan B is for those who are not sure they can manage the whole walk. More often than not, the least confident at the start are the most eager to get cracking after lunch!
The return to Guildford starts with a woodland meander through the ancient Chilworth Gunpowder Mills, a historical curiosity that fires up the imagination. Next, skirt the beautiful Chilworth Manor and its llama, then re-cross the North Downs Way before traversing Pewley Down. One minute the views are all to the south, the next minute to the north, stretching all the way to the City of London and Canary Wharf. From Semaphore Hill it is downhill through Guildford town centre, which is mostly pedestrianised, then back to the station.
By the end of the day, you will have walked for about four-and-a-half hours, covered a distance of 17kms and ascended 500m. Such statistics, though, tell less than half the story. Money cannot buy the shared experience of being with friends, colleagues or family and enjoying a finely curated walk in a beautiful place.
If this whets your appetite, we have also put together a series of outstanding walks including a crossing of the Isle of Wight, the best of Hadrian’s Wall, a circular walk taking in the Purbeck Hills and the Jurassic Coast and lots of other interesting ideas.
We also offer Guided Walks as part of corporate well being activities and staff/client relationship events.
