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A circular walk from Guildford town centre taking in the beautiful centre of Surrey’s historic county town along with a surprisingly peaceful stretch of the River Wey. You’ll have chance to see Guildford’s famous cobbled High Street plus Guildford Castle along with the picturesque River Wey where on summer days you’l see narrow boats, rowing boats and canoes all messing about on the river.
Distance: 3.4 km
Time: Est. 1hr 4 mins
Route Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 102 m
Waypoints
1. Start to Town Bridge
The walk starts on the High Street in Guildford, outside the Cornmarket and opposite the Guildhall. Stand facing the 14th century Guildhall with its imposing large clock which was added in 1683 and dominates the view on the High Street. Turn left heading downhill along the High Street passing by a whole range of retail outlets (the High Street is often referred to as being cobbled, but in fact the surface is actually paved with granite setts.) Cross over the side road to continue all the way to the bottom of the hill where you will reach a T-junction with the main road. Cross over via the pedestrian crossing and you will have Debenhams directly in front of you. Turn right for a few paces and then turn immediately left to reach the town bridge.
2. Town Bridge to Millmead Lock
Cross over the bridge and then turn sharp left onto the path directly in front of the White House pub to reach the towpath. Swing right along the towpath passing under beautiful old willow trees with the river on the left. Continue ahead to the far end of the car park where you will reach a bridge on the left signed to the High Street. Cross over this bridge and ahead you will reach Millmead Lock.
3. Millmead Lock to Footbridge
Turn right in front of the lock and follow the towpath with the river on the left. Cross over the small weir and pass Guildford boat house on the opposite bank. At the fork, take the right hand path and follow this to reach the sluice gate. Turn right over the small bridge by the sluice gate and then follow the path alongside this tranquil stretch of the River Wey, with the river running to your left. After some distance you will see a wooden footbridge appear ahead. Continue ahead and then use the footbridge to cross over the river.
4. Footbridge to Hockey Pitch
Pass through the gate on the opposite side of the river and continue ahead on the path signed as the North Downs Way with the river on the left. After just a few yards where the main path bends right, keep ahead onto the minor path with the river still immediately on your left. Pass through the kissing gate and into the open meadow (there are likely to be cows grazing here). Take the path heading diagonally right across the meadow, veering away from the river. Cross over the drainage ditch via the sleeper bridge and continue in the same direction. Turn right out of the kissing gate to reach a hockey pitch ahead.
5. Hockey Pitch to Quarry Street
Turn left to pass alongside the hockey pitch to reach a T-junction with a tarmac path just before the road. Turn left onto the footpath and follow this fenced path with the meadows across to the left. The path emerges to reach a T-junction with the main road. Turn left to follow the pavement passing the rowing club and then The Weyside pub on the left hand side. At the traffic lights cross right over the road and continue straight ahead into Quarry Street.
6. Quarry Street to End
Follow Quarry Street as it bends to the left. Just a few paces before you reach Guildford Museum on the right, turn right under the arch called Castle Arch. Fork left a few paces later and then turn left through the gates into the castle grounds. As you enter the grounds fork right and then continue to swing left, keeping the castle on the left. You will reach the castle entrance on the left. With the entrance slope to the castle on your left, turn right to pass out through the gate of the grounds and then turn left along a short walled footpath to reach the T-junction with the road. Cross over into Tunsgate using the pedestrian bollards. At the end of Tunsgate you will reach the Cornmarket. Pass under the Tunsgate Arch to reach the High Street where you began your walk.
See more info on the walk at: www.alltrails.com
