Directions

Nat Grid Ref: TQ110480

Location:
From Guildford: East along A25 via Gomshall and Abinger Hammer. After passing the Abinger Arms and the clock overhanging the road at Abinger Hammer, drive on for about 0.8 miles, looking out for Crossways Farm sign on right. Immediately left along unnamed road with 6'6" width restriction (this road is opposite Raikes Lane on right). After 0.3 to 0.4 miles turn left into drive-in to car park (unnamed from roadside and opposite a Private Track notice).

From Dorking: West along A25 via Westcott and Wotton. After passing The Wotton Hatch on left, continue along A25 for about 1.0 miles. Just past two large 40mph signs (the first you see on this stretch of road) turn right along unnamed road with 6'6" width restriction (this road is opposite Raikes Lane on right). After 0.3 to 0.4 miles turn left into drive-in to car park (unnamed from roadside and opposite a Private Track notice).

Inside the car park is a National Trust notice referring to "Abinger Roughs"

Map:

Route Sheet

The Christmas Stroll is not a Quiz Walk, but an opportunity to get out with friends and gently walk off at least some of the seasonal excesses.

SECTION 1: The Climb to the Top of the North Downs

At far end of car park, walk round padlocked barrier and take track in front. Keep ahead when track merges from right, soon walking on wide grassy track. At T turn left and follow track up slope to nearby X tracks marked by post with two blue arrows.

Right (ignoring forward direction of blue arrow) and stay on track, soon veering round to left.
On meeting another track at right angles, turn right downhill. Very soon, when track merges from the left, bear right and follow track, passing above railway line.

Now pass farm building and follow track uphill to a fork. Left here and climb steeply.
On reaching a T, bear sharply round to right, keeping uphill on "Public Footpath" marked "North Downs Way". Eventually, when very near to top, halt when wooden kiss gates appear off to left and right of track.

SECTION 2: At the Top - Along the North Downs Way

Go through the kiss gate off to the right. Now stay on path, ignoring all stiles in fence on right. After passing pillbox carry on until reaching new five-barred gate across path.
Go through side gate to left and proceed to nearby 4 pointer post at X tracks.

Here keep ahead on "North Downs Way", immediately passing another pillbox off to right. Now veer left uphill and follow winding path to 2 pointer post. Turn right (still on "North Downs Way") and follow track downhill to nearby road.

Right. After about 10 yards cross over and take "North Downs Way", at first along narrow path with grass on either side. Keep ahead, passing a pillbox on left followed by another. Soon go through wooden kiss gate and later pass another pillbox, this time on right. Continue to yet another pillbox near five-barred gate.

SECTION 3: The Descent to Park Farm

Ignoring gate, do a hairpin turn to right and follow main track downhill. Eventually at T bear right and stay on winding track downhill. On reaching five-barred gate go through side gate on right and continue downhill, keeping hedgerow on left. Soon cross above railway and follow track ahead to X tracks at farm.

SECTION 4: Return to the Car Park along foot of North Downs

Right, following sweep of track between farm buildings. After farm keep ahead on track, eventually swinging right and then left before reaching road. At road cross over, turn left and then immediately veer off right along path into woods. Follow path without deviating until reaching a stone monument with plaque. Here left uphill on the right-hand path. Soon at top go straight over X tracks and descend to car park visible ahead.

AFTER THE WALK
For those of you with time to spare and an appetite we drive from the car park to the Wotton Hatch Inn, 1½ miles away for drinks and a late lunch. They serve food all day and do NOT take advance bookings.