Ramble no. 1
Easter Friday 1928
A circular tour from Guildford – Compton – Puttenham – Lascombe – Warren Lakes – Peper Harow – Eashing – Godalming – Guildford
About 24 miles
The ramble is commenced from the bridge over the river Wey in the High Street keeping to the north bank of the river. Almost immediately after leaving the town a boathouse is reached where boats, punts, etc and weekend boats may be hired. A miniature waterfall is seen here, which is worth a moment’s inspection. The bank is followed for just over a mile. Here turn right up a short sharp incline crossing the railway into the main Godalming road. Turn right for a hundred yards or so and then left along a secondary road. This is a pretty road with a slight incline giving some exercise. The left hand or north side is wooded firs. The road gently winds and after about one and a quarter miles gives way to the famous ‘Pilgrims’ Way’. This is sanded and as far as one knows is perfectly natural and is part of the old way which years ago ran from Canterbury to Winchester. The rambler is treated to two miles of this wall and a glorious view may be had of the downs and Hogs Back swelling away to the north. Continue due west and ignore any cross tracks until a road is reached at the junction of which will be found a picture gallery and museum etc founded by a Mr. Watts. This is a well-known local feature and should be visited if time permits. Turn left and almost immediately right along a path which gives to the north again west after a short distance. On a gate on the north hand appears a rather original sign reading,
‘PLEASE SHUT THE GATE OR THE [COWS COWS COWS] WILL STRAY.’
After three quarters of a mile, Puttenham Heath is reached, there are several paths but the right-hand path should be taken and then a path to the left which leads across the heath and golf course to Puttenham.
The Jolly Farmer Inn at the end of this path provides varied refreshment and there are other places at hand. Turn right and north and left after two or three hundred yards through the village of Puttenham. Past the first left hand road and continue. Take the next left hand road (the other meets the main road on the Hogs Back to Farnham). After half a mile the road gives way to a path through a farm. The soil in the neighbourhood is rich and loamy and a bright reddish brown in colour. Puttenham Common is reached after three quarters of a mile and here the rambler may wonder and enjoy the magnificent views of Hindhead, the [indistinguishable] jumps away in the distance – 10 miles. The common is covered with heather and little hillocks and dells. A camp was noticed and certainly it must be an ideal spot. Water is handy and it is not too far from supplies. Care should be taken at night or while boys are at play for the ground is covered with rabbit holes. The warrens must be innumerable. Whichever path the rambler takes over the common, he should eventually strike the west ride in order to reach the Warren lakes. Possibly they may be names because of the mentioned rabbit warrens – I do not know. The lakes are very pretty and the series should be followed until the extreme south point is reached. A path will be found here running due south and a by-round is reached after half a mile. Turn left and follow the road for a mile then turn right and south east by a path alongside Michell Lane. This should be followed south east for a mile which brings the rambler to the lodge gates of Peper Harow a large private park. The grounds are open for ramblers to pass across. The river Wey runs through these beautiful grounds and a herd of deer were to be found grazing.
Cross the ground keeping SSE then NE to the paper mill. Another quarter mile brings the rambler to a by road where, if he turns right he will pass over an old fashioned bridge across the Wey to the Stag Inn to which tea gardens are attached and a good tea – undoubtedly well earned - may be had for a modest sum. This old-fashioned village of Eashing is well worth more than a casual glance. Old flint houses are to be seen here and the limestone hills behind them.
Retrace steps across the bridge and a path will be found on the right leading to the north bank of the Wey (it is inadvisable to take the path immediately by the bridge). A fine view may be had here of Charterhouse School. Follow the bank until the railway is reached and if state of bank permits, carry on to the main Guildford Road. Here it is necessary to follow the main road for about a mile when the bank can be reached again by turning to the right. From this point Guildford can be reached by following the bank all the way – about 5 miles. The weather should be watched as after a heavy rain the path is partly inundated. There are several road crossing and access can be easily obtained to the main road. Always keep to the north bank for this is the only side upon which there is a continuous path.
A grand rambling trip. Very little main road and extraordinarily few people met with. Frequent trains from Waterloo. Cheap tickets 3/9d return. A camera handy for there are many fine views to be had.