Walks you can reach from Ash by train
MapA day hike is just a simple train journey away — plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Ash.
Guildford Circular via Compton (Surrey)
9 minutes direct from Ash.
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: Beautiful Arts and Crafts creation of Mary Watts (1h45 in).
Watts Gallery (1h45 in)
St Catherine's Chapel Ruins (30m in)
Time: 5h (3h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
1 lunch spot: Watts Gallery café (1h45 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).
Farnham to Blackwater (Surrey)
15 minutes direct from Ash Vale.
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: 7h30 (5h30 walking, 1h30 lunch, 30m break)
1 lunch spot: the Foresters (2h15 in)
1 end-of-walk reward: the Crown and Cushion
Warnings: MOD closures apply.
Source: Trains2Green.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Farnham to Godalming (Surrey)
15 minutes direct from Ash Vale.
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 (1h30 in).
Godalming: attractive market town (5h45 in).
Time: 7h30 (6h walking, 1h30 lunch)
1 lunch spot: the Barley Mow, Tilford Green (2h15 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).
Bentley to Farnham (Hampshire)
15 minutes direct from Ash Vale.
Highly recommended: Ancient forests, heathland ridges, Scots pine, heather, large ponds with swimming, remote commons and quiet woodland paths and lanes.
Woodland: half under tree cover.
The Devil's Jumps
Time: 8h30 (6h30 walking, 1h30 lunch, 30m break)
1 lunch spot: the Bel & The Dragon (3h15 in)
Warnings: MOD closures apply.
Source: Trains2Green.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Reverse direction: Blackwater Valley Nature Walks.
Dorking to Box Hill & Westhumble (Surrey)
30 minutes direct from Ash.
Highly recommended: Vineyard, wooded hills, chalk downland, open grassland. Very beautiful. Magnificent views at Box Hill. Begins fairly quiet, but anticipate a constant Londoner horde near Box Hill itself.
Hilly: two fifths on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.
Woodland: half under tree cover.
Salomons Memorial Viewpoint (3h45 in)
Box Hill Café & Visitor Centre (National Trust; 3h45 in)
Time: 6h (4h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
2 lunch spots: Mickleham (2h15 in) — the King William IV (excellent; reservations recommended), or the Running Horses
2 end-of-walk rewards: Box Hill Café & Visitor Centre, or the Stepping Stones
Warnings: Relatively busy. Can be muddy.
Source: Trains2Green.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Alton Circular via Windmill Hill (Hampshire)
30 minutes direct from Ash Vale.
An 11-mile ramble over the six hills ringing Alton, with farmland, woodland near Monk Wood, the River Wey and the Hangers Way, gateway to the South Downs.
Time: 6h (4h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Includes a subway crossing under the A31 and field-edge paths that may be muddy.
Walk details: Wey Valley Community Rail Partnership (PDF).
Dorking Circular via Brockham (Surrey)
30 minutes direct from Ash.
Restored landscaped gardens, rhododendron woods, surfaced parkland paths, open fields with Downs views, wooded valley trails, village green and town centre.
Time: 5h30 (4h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Wanborough to Godalming (Surrey)
4 minutes direct from Ash.
Open fields, holloways, mixed woodland, old churches, riverside path along the River Wey, and historic market town. Quiet and isolated.
Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.
Watts Chapel: Beautiful Arts and Crafts creation of Mary Watts (1h30 in).
Godalming: attractive market town (3h15 in).
Time: 5h (3h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
2 lunch spots: the Tea Shop (1h15 in), or the Withies Inn (1h45 in)
4 end-of-walk rewards: the Star, Godalming Delights (great ice cream), the Fox & Finch, or the Richmond Arms
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 1.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Guildford to Chilworth (Surrey)
9 minutes direct from Ash.
Surrey churches and North Downs views, past Guildford Castle, St Martha's Church and Albury village.
Woodland: three fifths under tree cover.
Guildford Castle: A Norman castle whose surviving keep and grounds sit above Guildford's cobbled High Street.
St Martha's Church: A Grade II-listed hilltop church atop St Martha's Hill with sweeping views over the Surrey Hills.
Time: 5h30 (4h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Steep ascent out of Guildford; steep descent to Albury.
Walk details: Walking Post (tips, photos and local insights).
Guildford to Farnham (Surrey)
9 minutes direct from Ash.
Hilly North Downs walk over sandy heathland commons with ferns, ponds and hilltop panoramas.
Woodland: half under tree cover.
Watts Gallery & Chapel: Arts and Crafts gallery and memorial chapel dedicated to Victorian artist G.F. Watts.
St John the Baptist Church: Historic parish church.
Puttenham Common: Heathland common with ponds and ferns.
Crooksbury Hill: Pine-clad hilltop with panoramic views toward the South Downs.
Mother Ludlam's Cave: Sandstone cave associated with local folklore.
Time: 7h (5h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Steep inclines in places. Can be muddy.
Walk details: Walking Post (tips, photos and local insights).
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Guildford to Horsley (Surrey)
9 minutes direct from Ash.
North Downs ridge, escarpments, bluebell woods, downland slopes, upland country with long views, wooded stretches and estate grounds.
Time: 7h (5h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Steep hill climbs.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Reverse direction: Walking Post (inc. GPX).
Guildford to Gomshall (Surrey)
9 minutes direct from Ash.
Sandy ridges, downland escarpments, wooded sections, open downland, quiet valley and Surrey Hills AONB.
Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.
Time: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).