15 hikers set out from Godalming Station on a mild and dry Saturday. The route started along the River Wey going upstream. This was a pleasant walk along the riverbank with plenty of wildlife including a brace of pheasant and a Muntjac deer. We then turned away from the river through woodland to Hurtmore and then through Compton Village to The Watts Memorial Chapel. This is a stunning piece of Arts and Crafts grade one listed chapel in extremely good condition. Sad to say we could not stay long enough do it justice. We then went on to the Watts Gallery and cafe for an excellent lunch and it was sunny enough to sit outside. Although we were unable to go into the gallery we did peek through the large window at some sculptures and outside there were interesting wall plaques commemorating local people who had volunteered and contributed to the gallery in various ways over the years.
We then picked up the pace a little and navigated the North downs way with fine views until we were reunited with the River Wey (though Downstream near Guildford) The final run through to Godalming was along the River Wey Navigation. Most of this is National Trust and was a varied walk along the flood plane, by Lammas Lands arriving back at Godalming Station just in time for the train.
Twenty six Poly Ramblers turned up to the walk despite revised, longer length route. We set off from Richmond Station and soon hit our first alleyway with blue badge building – Suffield House (Hogarth House) on Paradise Road, where Virginia Woolf once lived. We walked through the narrow Vineyard Passage towards the gothic style St. Matthias Church (designed by Sir George G. Scott) before arriving at Richmond Hill Village. The group enjoyed a fine view from the top of the Richmond Hill which is famously captured by Turner in his paintings. On way down to the Thames path, the Statue of Aphrodite (Bulbous Betty) by Alan Howe 1952 attracted much interest from the group. We also managed to temporarily misplace one rambler in the Hollyhock Cafe!
We crossed Richmond Lock and Weir to the north side of the River to Isleworth after walked through a busy stretch of the Thames path, before an alleyway turn leading to the Elizabeth Butler‘s Almshouses. We then walked through another alleyway to reach Holm Court, where Van Gogh was once a teaching assistant. We viewed a set of well kept Almshouses before we entered Silverhall nature reserve Park and Mill Plat. Two noticeable features at the month of River Crane to River Thames are the Isleworth Flour Mill and a giant crane (used to upload and offload goods from European cargo barges). Continue reading RICHMOND TO OSTERLEY – 6 NOVEMBER→
Twenty four walkers and Daisy the dog set off from Stanmore station towards Stanmore Country Park. We welcomed four new walkers. Considering the weather at the start of the day, we were delighted that the sun shone & blue skies drifted overhead as we set off on the walk. Entering the country park, we took the Eastern route and followed the Nature trail to Spring Meadows. After a steady climb to viewpoint, we were rewarded with spectacular panoramic view of the capital. Clearly visible were Canary Wharf, The Shard, BT tower, Wembley Stadium to name a few. Continue reading STANMORE CIRCULAR – 30 OCTOBER→
The weather forecast hadn’t been promising but that sort of thing doesn’t put us off, so 13 walkers assembled at Box Hill & West Humble station on what turned out to be a beautiful autumn morning. There was almost no dull road-walking so we were immediately surrounded by beautiful trees, red & gold leaves & the sort of fungi you hope to see at this time of year. That stretch of the North Downs Way is especially lovely &, despite being mostly in woodland, there was a beautiful quality of light with many gaps in the trees giving views of Leith Hill & further. So pleasing was it that we kept stopping, really just to enjoy being there & the lightness of spirit that comes with the falling cortisol levels that trees are said to cause.
We descended into Shere, aiming for leisurely delights in the tea shops but the train service from Gomshall is patchy, to put it politely, so we made a democratic decision to get a bus to Dorking rather than spoil a lovely day with dreadful rushing & train/ticket hassle. This gave us an hour for pub or tea shop or ice cream by the stream, each of us doing what we fancied in an admirably democratic way. Absolutely, the leader is always right, but a spot of democracy is good too!
The bus appeared on time, the trains came & went on time so really it was a pretty perfect day.
On Monday morning most of the group gathered at the town square in warm sunshine for a final walk along the coast to Durlston Country Park, led by Sandy. We passed the pier and headed uphill, passing the Portland Stone Ionic columns dating from the early 19th century. We headed uphill, pausing at the Coast Watch station on Peverill Point. Later we entered Durlston Country Park. After a mile or so walking through woodland along the coast we came to Durlston Castle with it’s cafe and globe. The great globe is one of the largest stone spheres in the world, made of Portland Stone. It was constructed in Greenwich in 1887 in Mowlem’s stone yard, and brought to Swanage by sea. John Mowlem the stonemason was born in Swanage and is commemorated in the town.
All too soon it was time to head back to Swanage by an inland route – no time to visit the cafe sadly. A lovely end to a great weekend. Thanks to the organisers and walk leaders.
