Guildford to Chilworth
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Walk directions
Leave the car park via the footbridge at Level 5, cross Farnham Road and turn right. Just beyond the railway bridge, drop into the subway on your left, and follow the signposts to the ‘Town Centre via Riverside Walk’. Follow the riverside walk to The White House pub. Turn left over the bridge, continue into the High Street and turn first right into Quarry Street. Pass Guildford Museum and turn immediately left through Castle Arch. After 25yds (22m), continue ahead on the footpath running through the castle grounds, bear left around the castle and emerge onto Sydenham Road, cross over South Hill and turn right into Pewley Hill. Climb steadily past the Semaphore House on the corner of Semaphore Road. At the end of the road, continue along the bridleway, and follow it to the viewpoint pillar on the summit of Pewley Down.
From the viewpoint, head towards a green metal seat on your left and follow the path off the ridge, keeping the hedge on your left. Soon enter a tunnel of trees, and emerge between hedges. Keep straight on at the crossroads by the Pewley Down information board, and continue uphill for 300yds (274m) until the path meets the North Downs Way (NDW) at the blue bridleway marker.
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Additional information
Terrain
- Paved streets, riverside towpath, and downland and field tracks
Landscape
- Big views from Pewley Down and gentle riparian scenery
Dog friendliness
- Lead required in town
Parking
- Farnham Road car park, next to Guildford Railway Station; or Halfpenny Lane car park (start from Point 3)
Toilets en route
- At Farnham Road car park
About the walk
The eldest son of a Cheshire rector, Charles Dodgson was born in 1832. He studied mathematics at Oxford, where he later became a university lecturer. Meanwhile, the family had moved to Yorkshire, and after his father’s death in 1868, his sisters set their hearts on moving to Guildford. Charles...
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Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
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Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
About the area
Surrey is one of England’s most wooded counties, with over a quarter of the landscape designated as an official AONB and plenty of history evident in the countryside. You’ll find sandy tracks, cottage gardens and welcoming village inns, and on the fringe of Greater London you can picnic in Chaldon’s hay meadows, explore the downs at Epsom, or drift idly beside the River Thames.
Nearby places to stay
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Nearby places to stay
The Angel
On the high street, in the heart of Guildford and within the popular Angel Gate area with its shops and restaurants, this historic property features a range of rooms including spacious ...
Guildford Harbour Hotel
Not far from the high street, Guildford Harbour Hotel offers a comfortable and luxurious environment. Bedrooms are well appointed and corporate events are a specialty. The two restauran...
The Mandolay Hotel
Ideally located near the heart of Guildford, The Mandolay Hotel combines contemporary style with comfort and convenience. All bedrooms are thoughtfully designed with modern amenities, i...
Asperion Hillside Hotel
Asperion Hillside Hotel is conveniently located for access to Guildford and Woking as well as Heathrow and Gatwick Airports. There's on-site parking, and the comfortable bedrooms have m...
Barnett Hill Hotel
In the heart of the Surrey Hills, Barnett Hill is a beautiful Queen Anne-style mansion dating back to 1905; it sits in 26 acres of lovingly maintained gardens and woodland, a tranquil a...
Guildford Manor Hotel
Guildford Manor Hotel is a contemporary hotel located in the tranquillity of the Surrey Hills countryside – it's the ideal place to celebrate special occasions and have a relaxing weeke...
King’s Arms & Royal
The King's Arms and Royal is in the town of Godalming, and was first mentioned in 1639. Nestled between the Surrey Hills AONB and the South Downs National Park, this charming property w...
The Drummond at Albury
The Drummond at Albury is well located for a weekend away in the tranquillity of the Surrey Hills, and is popular with business guests looking for somewhere a bit less corporate than on...
Places to eat nearby View all
