Woking Borough Council

Winter 2008/2009

Out and about

What better time of year than winter to take a walk through the woods in your wellies, enjoying the crisp fresh air, before returning to a cosy pub to warm up again.

Key facts

Start/finish: Pirbright, Royal Oak Pub Car Park, A324 Aldershot Road

Distance: 12 kms (7 miles approx)

Time: Allow three hours

Type of walk: Flat, easy walking over mostly level ground. Can be muddy along footpaths, and boggy after heavy rainfall. There are a few stiles en route.

Please note: There are short stretches of the walk that join a minor roads. Take particular care at these points, especially if walking with children or pets.

  1. With the pub behind you, cross the road and bear left down the bridleway to the left of Stream Farm Kennels. Follow the footpath along the woodland to your left until you reach a large pond on your right.

  2. After passing the pond, turn right onto the tarmac lane - Henley Gate - and cross the stream. Upon reaching a crossroads, at the end of the tarmac, turn left before the firing range. Pirbright Ranges, along with Ash Ranges and Chobham Common, account for three quarters of the heathland in the Thames Basin. These sites are of considerable importance in maintaining biodiversity across the county.

  3. Cross the wooden footbridge and follow the footpath, bearing left, as it skirts Henleypark Lake. The lake is a tranquil spot, despite the occasional sound of fire from the ranges nearby! There are plenty of opportunities for bird watching at any time of year.

  4. The footpath takes you away from the lake, before rejoining woodland at Slyfield Wood. Follow the footpath through the wood to return to the Aldershot Road, opposite the Vokes buildings. Vokes has been on this site since 1940 and occupies land that was once Henley Park, home to several noblemen with Royal connections such as Anthony Browne, Viscount Montague, and Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex.

  5. Turn right along the pavement and, where it ends, cross the road with care to the mobile phone mast. Head diagonally across the field where you will see a gap in the hedge. Take the footpath on your right down the incline into the fields. Follow the footpath, over a couple of stiles until you reach a lane.

  6. Turn right and walk along the lane for about 100 yards until you the footpath on your left.

  7. Continue along the footpath, bearing right at the pond, until you reach Guildford Road (A323).

  8. Cross the A323 with care and turn left along the pavement, turning right into Wells Lane. After a short distance, join the footpath to the right of the garage. Cross a stream soon afterwards and go over the stile.

  9. Bear left onto another footpath and go across the field. Cross the stream and follow the track to Bailes Lane. If you want to stop here for refreshment at Willey Green, turn left along the lane a short distance to reach the Duke of Normandy pub. Return to the footpath to continue the walk.

  10. The footpath continues on the other side of Bailes Lane. Cross the stile and follow the footpath as it skirts Bailes Farm. And beware of the sheep!

  11. As the footpath rises, you may spot glimpses of the Hog's Back and the North Downs before reaching the summit and a good view. The North Downs Way National Trail runs for 153 miles through the Surrey Hills and Kent Downs Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). It starts at Farnham on the Surrey/Hampshire border and ends at Dover. Much of the trail follows the Pilgrims Way, the legendary route that was used by pilgrims on their way from Winchester to Canterbury to pray at the shrine of St Thomas a Becket.

  12. Continue along the footpath, crossing two stiles until you reach another stile on your left. Join the wide path and follow it downhill until you reach Frog Grove Lane.

  13. Turn left along the pavement. At the T-junction, turn left and, shortly afterwards, turn right into Cobbett Hill Road. Take care here, as there is no pavement for a short stretch of minor road.

  14. At the crest of the hill, turn right along a wide footpath that runs along a driveway. Passing through birch woods, you will reach a cottage where you turn left.

  15. Follow the footpath, bearing right at a junction, continuing across your final stream to join Ash Road (A380).

  16. Skirting Stanford Farm on your left, turn left to rejoin the Aldershot Road and return to the Royal Oak pub. The Royal Oak was built in the 15th Century and offers real ales and meals throughout the day. The pub has won several awards for its floral displays.