The Walk: This section of the NDW between the Wey and Mole Gaps traverses the Surrey Hills National Landscape (fka AONB) and takes in some of the most iconic scenery on the Trail, with many excellent viewpoints and several transport options making for a good one-way walk, or a number of circular walks.
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| St Martha's |
Map
NB The map shows my route, with various diversions and excursions which you may not wish to follow precisely.
Why do it: The NDW is joined at the Golden Sands tumbling down St Catherine's Hill into the River Wey, easily reached along the towpath from Guildford Station. (A short diversion up the hill leads to ruined St Catherine's chapel with a good view down the Wey towards Guildford - see previous section for details.)
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| Golden Sands and footbridge over the Wey |
The trail passes through woodland and downland via a succession of excellent viewpoints looking out over the Surrey Hills and beyond to the South Downs, including St Martha's hilltop church, Newlands Corner, Blanchard's Down (NT), and Denbies Hillside (NT).
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| Blanchards Down (NT) |
The official NDW route follows the valley North of the Chantries Hill, but it is arguably more interesting to follow the path around the hill for excellent views southwards, and woodlands replete with bluebells in Spring.
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| Chantries viewpoint (off route) |
Just after crossing the A25 at Newlands Corner, you will, come across the Optohedron sculpture, around which the trees have been cleared to give a view of sorts.
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| Optohedron |
Where the route passes across Netley Heath to the East of Staple Lane you will find relics of the WW2 Canadian Army Camp, where Canadian troops were marshalled in the weeks prior to D-Day before moving down for embarkation at the Channel Ports. There are several concrete water tanks, and also the old camp roads which account for the relatively well made track you are walking on.
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| Concrete water tank left from WW2 Canadian Army Camp |
A short diversion down the slope through Netley Park (NT) brings you to the Robertson Memorial: Netley Park was bought by the NT with a bequest from the Robertson family in memory of two family members who died in the Great War.
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| Robertson Memorial, Netley Park |
The Memorial is a good viewpoint and above it is a substantial WW2 pill box: along the whole route there are numerous pill boxes, the remnant of the 'stop line' built hurriedly during WW2 to halt a feared German advance on London.
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| Pill box |
The walk ends by passing through Denbies Vineyard (or Wine Estate) on the western slopes of the Mole Valley: you could almost be on the Rhine! There is a large visitor centre where you can join land train tours around the Estate and/or buy a bottle of their wine.
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| Denbies Vineyard |
Distance: 13 miles along the NDW. Add 1.5 miles to reach the start from Guildford along the towpath, and 1 mile to a station at the end, making 15.5 miles in total
Logistics: Starting from Guildford Station, cross the station car park and cross Walnut Tree Close to access steps down to the River Wey towpath, which is then followed for about a mile to the Golden Sands. You meet the NDW where it joins from St Catherine's Hill to your right. Cross the River on the adjacent footbridge to start your walk along the Trail.
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| After crossing the footbridge, the NDW crosses Shalford Park |
After passing through Denbies Vineyard, the main walk ends by emerging beside the busy A24 passing through the Mole Gap. From here you can walk South beside the road about a mile to either Dorking Station (for trains to London and Horsham), or the near-adjacent Dorking Deepdene station for trains West to Guildford and Reading, or East to Redhill, Reigate and Gatwick Airport.
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| A24 through the Mole Gap |
You can also head North a similar distance to Box Hill & West Humble Station (but this offers a less frequent service than Dorking Station).
You can leave the NDW earlier at Denbies Hillside and descend directly to Dorking West Station (same service as Dorking Deepdene).
Gomshall Station could also be used as the start for circular walks including the NDW.
In addition, there are a number of car parks along the route (see map), where you could park and do a circular walk including part of the NDW.
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| Denbies Hillside car park (free for NT members) |
Challenges:
Expect mud after rain.
At Newlands Corner you must cross the busy A25: take care!
Early paintings and photographs of the Downs hereabouts show open downland similar to the present day South Downs. However, in recent times, presumably due to the decline in sheep grazing and our sanctification of trees, the downland has been allowed to become overgrown with trees and scrub, which block the view.
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| The NDW in winter |
Refreshments: Usual offerings in Guildford and Dorking.
There is a popular burger bar at Newlands Corner.
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| Newlands burger bar |
There is sometimes a pop-up tea van in the Staples Lane car park, and also in the Denbies Hillside car park.
Denbies Vineyard has a large Visitor Centre with a cafe.
Nearby WalksFor an overview map of all my walks along the North Downs Way see this page.
Previous section: Farnham to Guildford
Next section: Mole Valley to Betchworth
More Photos
Various days in all seasons
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| Bluebells in Chantries Woods |
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| Views from St Martha's |
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| Sandy slopes of St Martha's Hill |
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| St Martha's Hill from Newlands |
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| Newlands |
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| Newlands Corner
 | | Shere viewpoint (slightly off-route) |
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| Pill Box above the Robertson Memorial, Netley Park |
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| Pill Box |
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| NDW at Blanchard's Down |
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| Another Pill Box |
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| Yet another Pill Box |
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| Denbies Hillside (NT) |
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| Surrey Hills |
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| Towards Blackdown |
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| St Barnabas Church ('Cathedral of the Downs', built by Cubitt family, original owners of the Denbies Estate) |
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| NDW follows Denbies Estate Road |
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| Looking over the Vineyard across the Mole Gap to Box Hill |
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| Denbies road |
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| Path descending Denbies Hillside |
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| Track to Dorking West Station |
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