North Downs Way: celebrating 40 years of a stunning walking trail

7th June 2018

Walk parts of the North Downs Way this summer to celebrate 40 years of a walking trail that celebrates some of the best of Surrey’s countryside.
 

Having officially opened in September 1978, the North Downs Way is a long-distance path of 153 miles long that spans from Farnham in Surrey to Dover in Kent. The North Downs Way takes in part of the Pilgrims’ Way too – a historic route taken by pilgrims from Winchester in Hampshire to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury, Kent. However, the North Downs Way differs to ensure the walk follows the ridge of the North Downs, allowing keen walkers to take in some of the best scenery the region has to offer too.

Blending ancient history with the protected views in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the North Downs Way offers walking unlike anywhere else in the world. In Surrey, the trail can be broken down into walks that can be achieved in a day. These include:

• Farnham to Guildford (10 miles). Follow the River Wey and walk through woodland and open fields. Enjoy views of the Hogs Back and wander through the village of Puttenham, as well as parts of the magnificent Loseley Estate.
• Guildford to Gomshall (8 miles). Take the Wey South Path from Guildford to join the stretch of the North Downs Way that climbs St Martha’s Hill. Enjoy the views of Newlands Corner and Hackhurst Downs before exploring the village of Gomshall.
• Gomshall to Box Hill (7 miles). Join the North Downs Way at Hackhurst Downs, before enjoying far-reaching views of the South Downs. Walk through Ranmore Common and alongside Denbies Wine Estate before exploring the village of Westhumble, next to Box Hill.
• Box Hill to Merstham (10 miles). Ascend Box Hill to enjoy the natural beauty spot, then take in Juniper Hill and Reigate Hill, before arriving in the Surrey town of Merstham.
• Merstham to Oxted (8 miles). The North Downs Way traverses fields offering far-reaching views here, before continuing to the viewpoints at Caterham and Tandridge Hill. The walk finishes in the quaint town of Oxted.

Day trips on the North Downs Way give a great taste of some of the highlights of the Surrey countryside. More energetic walkers can make more of a journey of it, staying in rustic country pubs overnight for even more of an intrepid but traditional Surrey experience.

Get more inspiration for walks on and near the North Downs Way on the National Trail website, to celebrate this very special anniversary year.

Read our other summer 2018 related stories:

Inside look: Denbies Wine Estate this summer
Beaverbrook: a sublime summer in Churchill's Surrey bolthole
Woking Food and Drink Festival 2018: the lowdown
Godalming highlights: summer 2018