Walks in Surrey by train
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in Surrey and plan your next day of green.
Guildford Circular via Compton
30 minutes direct from Waterloo.
Beginner-friendly: No coast or river to follow, but pretty straightforward long lines nonetheless, and Watt’s Chapel provides a lovely reward for reaching the midpoint of the circuit. The lunch stop is a simple café in the vicinity of Watt’s Chapel, so no messing around with booking a table in advance.
Watts Chapel: A spectacular Arts and Crafts memorial chapel decorated by Mary Watts.
Time: 3h30–7h
1 lunch spot: Watts Gallery café (1h30–3h in)
5 end-of-walk rewards: the Withies Inn, Ye Olde Ship Inn, the Britannia, the White House, or the George Abbot
Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).
Similar walk: Walking Post (inc. GPX).
Gomshall Circular via Shere
1 hour from Waterloo, with one change.
Highly recommended: Extensive woodland.
Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.
Saint James's Church: see the remains of where a devout anchorite was encased within the church walls.
Time: 3h–6h
7 lunch spots: Shere (1h–1h30 in) — the Dabbling Duck Café (excellent), the William Bray, Hillys Tea Shop, or the White Horse; plus the Drummond Arms (1h–2h in), Mandira's Kitchen at Silent Pool (1h–2h30 in), or Carb Up and Go (1h30–3h30 in)
2 end-of-walk rewards: the Compasses Inn, or the Gomshall Mill
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).
Milford to Haslemere
45 minutes from Waterloo, with one change.
Highly recommended: Remote heathland, pretty lakes, sandy bridleways, ancient woodland, heather and gorse commons and a dramatic natural amphitheatre.
Woodland: a third under tree cover.
Time: 4h30–9h30
Lunch: Nowhere to eat en route — pack lunch!
1 end-of-walk reward: the Harper's Steakhouse
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 1.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Woldingham to Oxted
30 minutes direct from London Bridge.
Highly recommended: North Downs woodland ridge, open chalk downland, M25 crossing, village green, Greensand Way farmland, small settlements and ancient churchyards.
Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.
Time: 4h–7h30
4 lunch spots: Godstone (2h–4h in) — the Hare & Hounds, the Old Forge Deli, the White Hart, or the Bell
1 end-of-walk reward: the Oxted Inn
Warnings: Chalk paths can be slippery.
Source: Trains2Green.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Farnham to Godalming
45 minutes direct from Waterloo.
Highly recommended: River valley, forest tracks, sandy bridleways, open parkland, country houses and wooded valleys.
Woodland: a third under tree cover.
Mother Ludlam's Cave: Sandstone cave associated with local folklore.
Time: 6h–12h
1 lunch spot: the Barley Mow, Tilford Green (2h30–4h30 in)
5 end-of-walk rewards: the Cyder House Inn, the Rose and Crown, the Richmond Arms, the Fox & Finch, or the Star
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 1.
Similar walks: the Saturday Walkers Club and Slow Ways (inc. GPX).
Dorking to Box Hill & Westhumble
45 minutes direct from Waterloo.
Highly recommended: Vineyard, wooded hills, chalk downland, open grassland, Mole valley views and North Downs.
Hilly: two fifths on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.
Woodland: half under tree cover.
Time: 4h–8h30
3 lunch spots: Mickleham (2h30–4h30 in) — the Running Horses, or the King William IV; plus Wild About Coffee at Norbury Park (1h30–3h in)
2 end-of-walk rewards: Box Hill Café, or the Stepping Stones
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Source: Trains2Green.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Farnham to Blackwater
45 minutes from Paddington, with one change.
Highly recommended: Deer park, heathland, MOD training area, Iron Age hillfort, reservoirs, stream valleys, woodland, nature reserve, wet meadows, lakeside sandy shores and common.
Woodland: a third under tree cover.
Time: 5h30–11h
1 lunch spot: the Foresters (2h30–4h30 in)
1 end-of-walk reward: the Crown and Cushion
Warnings: MOD closures apply.
Source: Trains2Green.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
East Croydon to Oxted
15 minutes direct from London Bridge.
First stage of the Vanguard Way, from suburban East Croydon out through Selsdon Wood and the North Downs to Oxted.
Woodland: a third under tree cover.
Time: 5h30–11h
Walk details: Walking Post (tips, photos and local insights).
Hurst Green to Sevenoaks
30 minutes direct from London Bridge.
Greensand ridge, chart hills, undulating woodland, commons, deer park, historic estates and suburban old town.
Warnings: Steep climbs.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Earlswood to Oxted
30 minutes direct from London Bridge.
Gentle greensand ridge, pasture, arable fields, woodland, bluebell woods, escarpment views and low-lying meadows.
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Leatherhead to Dorking
45 minutes direct from Waterloo.
River Mole through the Mole Gap in the North Downs, the grounds of Thorncroft Manor, Norbury Park woodland and the Denbies Wine Estate (England's largest vineyard).
Norbury Park: A country estate of woodland and downland between Leatherhead and Dorking.
Denbies Wine Estate: England's largest vineyard, spread across the chalk slopes near Dorking.
Lunch: Running Horse, Leatherhead.
Walk details: Surrey Hills National Landscape (turn-by-turn directions).
Sunningdale to Windsor and Eton Riverside
45 minutes direct from Waterloo.
Parkland, lake shores, ornamental gardens, light woodland, deer park, tree-lined avenue and historic town streets.
Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.
Time: 3h30–7h30
1 lunch spot: Savill Garden Visitor Centre Cafe (1h30–3h30 in)
4 end-of-walk rewards: the Prince Harry, the Carpenters Arms, the Royal Windsor, or the Boatman
Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 1.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.