North Downs Way

Today we began the North Downs Way by walking the second leg from Guildford to Dorking. Why start with the second leg? Well, its Sunday and the usual track repairs have stopped normal train services and the buses don’t run on Sundays – we need to do the first leg when public transport is running!
We began with the well trodden path to Newlands Corner, and having dragged Alan away from the bacon buttie kiosk, we struck out on the new path, following the easily spotted finger posts.


We crossed the A25 and found ourselves on a wide path through the trees, soon leaving the sound of traffic behind, and tuning in to the cuckoo calling in the distance. It was very pleasant walking under the leafy canopy, and we came across the occasional clearing with views across the valleys with conveniently placed benches!


We refrained from a side visit to the Silent Pools, promising ourselves a dedicated walk there one day. It looked a precipitous downhill to the pools , which means a stiff climb back again, which is OK, but we reckoned on about 15 miles for the planned walk, and weren’t keen on adding too much more!
Once again, the pathways were lined with delightful wild flowers and the ferns had come on in bounds, showing off in great fans of fronds along the way.




At lunchtime, we came up to this hill top with its panoramic view and several benches, one being free for a welcome seat. The sheepdog, which sneaked into the picture, was having great fun creeping up on the ball its owner left in the grass just as if it was herding the sheep.



Our path was quite stony and there were plenty of butterflies flittering around us. So difficult to catch with the camera until this peacock landed on the path in front of us and settled to get his photo taken.


We were gradually meeting more people and soon came to the area known as Ranmore Common and the ‘Church on the North Downs Way’ (St Barnabas’s).


It seemed as though we were almost there, but we still had a little way to go, eventually descending the path to Denbies winery for a very welcome cup of tea. The vines are just coming into leaf and flower, so we hope that the flowers get pollinated and lots of baby grapes get set to make another excellent vintage later in the year.



Refreshed, All that was left was to walk down to Deepdene Station and a train back to Gilly. And those who wonder why we didn’t climb Box Hill – well, we’ve done that many, many times!!