Shifting Sands
This is the second part of my Surrey/Hampshire epic. The direction was roughly southwest, the weather had been dry, the terrain a surprising amount of undulating sand and the water, welcome but tantalising on a hot day. I never quite lost touch with the river Wey. It was, however, a fresher, allowing an over all impression of sun, heather, rhododendron and mixed woodland, in a landscape that allowed for surprises.
I left maybe a little later than I could have because I spent too long chatting. Nevertheless, my nestling in the sleepy west of Surrey, allowed for a quick start west on the North Downs Way and an immersion in the heather. From the bunkhouse and the High Street at Puttenham, head west and go left at the fork on Lascombe Lane. With the paddocks alongside, take the next left fork on Highfield Lane and then the footpath on the left near to Lascombe Farm. Here the red soil in the morning light was glowingly apparent.
On Murtmead Lane you enter Puttenham Common, 118 acres of lowland heath with named trails and masterful views. I'm a little unsure about my choice of path but in involved the ling-strewn high ground that veered back through woodland to the road south, squeezing between The Tarn and Cuttmill Pond. Turn right at the junction into Littleworth Road, venture left into Lower Puttenham Common and then cut through the car park and west through Britty Wood, first on the footpath and then on the main drag to Seale Road.
Over the road, join the bridleway that continues west to Crooksbury Common. This is a home of natterjack toads and other uncommon reptiles. Go north at the far corner and you can cut back on the north side of the square to continue roughly north. Just before Long Hill, be sure to rejoin the bridleway. Flashes of large brown insect wings turned out to be the blur of demoiselle wings amongst the trees and a closer inspection of pine-needley mounds revealed giant ants nests. This path forks and so bear left to Crooksbury Hill via Crooksbury Lane. Cross Smugglers Way and touch on the hillfort remnants of Soldier's Ring. Rejoin what is the spider trail to reach the top. At the glorious views of East Surrey, Hampshire and the South Downs, there is a memorial to planning officer Theodore Vincent Scott Durrant, one of only a handful of memorials (I imagine) to planning officers.
Zig-zag your way down to the Crooksbury Road and cross it the south of the car park to join a westward bridleway. Now we have a breakfast diversion on Waverley Lane and west on Camp Hill to the Cistercian Waverley Abbey. This was an entirely necessary visit, as the early heat and hills reminded me I'd left my overnight accommodation without any water! A stop at the English Heritage cafe at Waverley Abbey House was excellently timed. The Waverleymill Bridge and Abbey remains were a fine romantic drama against the satisfaction of a giant cheese scone. After a circuit, return to Waverley Lane and go south on the byway and the unofficial spur of the Greensand Way. Over Sheephatch Lane, the trail parallel's the Wey, going south.
You reach Tilford. Turn left for the shop or right to cross the bridge. The path actually passes over the weir but having been helpfully informed how much E. Coli there was in the water at the shop, I opted for the convenient bridge. I ate a sandwich on a bench, heartily jealous of the paddling dogs. Turn left at The Green on Tilford Street and join Mollie's Ride. Go left onto the Greensand Way and bear left by Stockbridge Pond, to walk alongside the golf course and Hankley Common. Cross back over Tilford Street on the bridleway, continuing west to Frensham Little Pond.
Beyond the pines and golden sand, families were paddling and keeping cool, in stark contrast to myself. Go down to the water's edge and follow it west. At the end of the Little Pond, ascend what amounts to a dune and the King's Ridge on Frensham Common and descend directly to the tree edge and the Farnham Road beyond. Over the road is Frensham Great Pond. Head to the western bank. The weight of people here was far greater. The heat drew them, scantily clad from the car park, in a hubbub of music and barbecues. Continue at the water's edge round to the hotel and then onto Pond Lane.
Leave on the bridleway going south. The Waverley Vale Stream is over to your right and here lies the border of Hampshire. You briefly join Lampard Lane before continuing on the bridleway on the right. The path draws in close to the stream near Churt and with it on your right, cross the road. Follow the stream south. After Barford Mill, join the footpath on the right to reach Whitmore Vale and turn right. At the corner of the road, take the footpath to Hammer Lane. Opposite, a very straight path moves west. and turns finally to reach Arford at Grayshott Road.
Now was a walk across town, for the purpose of reaching the sports pavilion, where S was playing petanque. Here I would pick up the tent for my final push to the campsite. Go right and then left on Eddeys Lane. Hold the line on Beech Hill Road. Beech Hill becomes Bowcott Hill. At the Arford Road I was so close but thirsty. Turn right and you have The Crown. I talked New Zealand, cricket and mountains as I enjoyed a drink and the barman filled my water bottle.
Back on the road and Longcross Hill, bear left and then take the footpath on the right through to Openfields and left to Church Fields. At Headley, I crossed the Mill Lane to the Pavilion and playing fields. The tent transaction complete, I returned to Openfields and continued west on the footpath around the school. Church Lane takes you to the junction with Frensham Lane. Turn left and join the bridleway. You enter a wood and ford the Wey, once more, on a stone bridge.
At the junction, go into the Great Wood opposite to climb The Mount. At the edge, turn left and you will join the Shipwrights Way. Beyond Forest Research's Headley Nursery and Broxhead Common you meet Picketts Hill.
Now east, you pass the slightly creepy derelict Headley Park Hotel and round the corner to take Smithy Lane. No surprise then that you reach a forge and Huntingford Camping, just after the bridge.
Having pitched my tent, S arrived. Our evening meal was a little walk north to Dockenfield and The Bluebell. Well deserved.
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