Waverley and Tilford
"Stroll by the enchanting ruins of Waverley Abbey in the Wey Valley"
Walk directions
Turn right out of the car park, taking care to check for traffic, and follow Waverley Lane (B3001) as it crosses over Waverleymill Bridge. Continue for 200yds (182m) until the road bears to the left, before turning right onto the public byway.
Keep straight ahead and follow the path through a gate and past Friars Way Cottage, then through another gate to reach Sheephatch Lane. Turn left briefly, then right at the junction with Tilford Street; there’s no pavement for the first 400yds (366m), so go carefully. Now follow the road past the school and village shop, over the River Wey bridge and on to Tilford village green, where you’ll find the Tilford Oak and The Barley Mow pub.
To continue, retrace your steps across the river. Almost at once, turn left at the public bridleway sign, passing a pair of World War II pillboxes. The path climbs gently for 500yds (457m) and brings you to a tarmac lane. Turn left at a bridleway sign, pass some houses and continue up the narrow, sandy track straight ahead. At the top of the short slope, fork right at the public byway waymark for the 400yds (366m) climb to Sheephatch Farm. Cross Sheephatch Lane, where a public byway sign points your way up the gravelled track opposite. The track leads you confidently through Sheephatch Copse, and soon you’ll be dropping down on an ancient sunken way to rejoin your outward track at a public byway signpost.
Turn left here for the easy walk back to Waverley Lane (B3001). Watch out for the traffic as you turn left, then retrace your outward route over Waverleymill Bridge and back to the car park.
Additional information
Terrain
- Sandy and easy to follow, two sections on minor roads
Landscape
- Gently rolling, well-wooded countryside
Dog friendliness
- Generally good, but lead essential along roads
Parking
- Small separate parking area next to the drive for Waverley House – turn in at signs for Waverley
Toilets en route
- None on route
About the walk
The glory of this walk lies right at the start, just a stone’s throw across the fields from the car park. For over 400 years Waverley Abbey stood in this peaceful loop of the northern River Wey, and from here its abbots wielded huge religious and political influence. It all began in 1128 when... William Gifford, Bishop of Winchester, founded Waverley on 60 acres (24ha) of farmland. This was the first Cistercian abbey in England, and the original community of 12 monks came with Abbot John from L’Aumône in France. They lived an austere life of manual labour and unceasing prayer. Construction started at once, although it was another 150 years before the abbey church was finally completed. Meanwhile, the Cistercians expanded rapidly throughout Britain, and by 1132 there were great abbeys at Tintern, Fountains and Rievaulx. Waverley itself was the springboard for 13 new monasteries – in each case an abbot and 12 monks, representing Christ and his 12 disciples, went forward as the nucleus of the new community. At Waverley, as elsewhere, the monks had an impact on the local economy as they converted the surrounding forests into grazing and arable fields. They began Surrey’s wool industry, and extended their hospitality from the humblest to the greatest. The lavish scale of monastic entertaining seems decadent, but these were exceptions to the harsh, everyday routine. Monks rose at 2am for Matins, spending their time in meditation, study and manual work before retiring as early as 5.30pm in winter. The day was punctuated by eight services, and by the midday meal. You’ll see the remains of the refectory with its 13th-century vaulting during your visit. Look, too, for the walls of the Chapter House, where the Abbot presided over the daily business meeting. Of the church, only the ground plan and some parts of the chancel walls remain to give you an idea of the scale of the building. The monastic community continued until it was suppressed by Henry VIII in 1536. The estate changed hands many times. Inevitably, over the years the buildings were quarried for stone, and many wagon loads found their way into the construction of nearby Loseley House.
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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
View all (8)
Hotel
Bush Hotel Farnham
★★★★
"Right at the heart of this charming and historic town...."
- Family rooms: 5
- Free TV
- WiFi available
Holiday Park
Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat
★★★★
"A most peaceful and tranquil location in the Surrey countryside...."
Hotel
Frensham Pond Country House Hotel & Spa
★★★★
"Stylish 15th-century house and spa in pretty grounds...."
- Family rooms: 16
- Free TV
- WiFi available
Nearby places to stay
Bush Hotel Farnham
The Bush is an independent hotel that has been welcoming guests since 1618. Steeped in history but embracing contemporary design, it is situated in the heart of Farnham’s historic town ...
★★★★ Rating
Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat
Retreat to the woods when you stay in one of the log cabin style lodges at Tilford Woods. All accommodation features full self-catering facilities, with top of the range log cabins even...
★★★★ Rating
Frensham Pond Country House Hotel & Spa
Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, overlooking Frensham Great Pond this is a walker’s and water-lover’s paradise close to footpaths that run through the 1,000-acre Natio...
★★★★ Rating
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...
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Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire
Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire is a Georgian manor house, set in 500 acres of undulating grounds and English Heritage listed gardens. Just an hour from London, it offers the upmost in lux...
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Harper's Haslemere
Harper's Haslemere is part of a small family of laid-back steak houses, fired up by the big, juicy stateside flavours from the best of east to west coast dining; from comforting to mind...
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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...
Quality Assessed
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 ...
★★★★ Rating
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