Best walks near Woking by train
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in South East England and plan your next day of green.
Guildford Station Circular via Watt’s Chapel (Surrey)
7m direct from Woking.
13km. Moderate ascents. 3h30–6h.
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.
A rambler favourite!
Highlights: Watts Chapel, Watts Gallery, St Catherine's Chapel Ruins, and Guildford.
Lunch stop: Watts Gallery café (1h30–2h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Withies Inn, Ye Olde Ship Inn, the Britannia, the White House, or the George Abbot.
Farnham Station to Godalming Station (Surrey)
15m direct from Woking.
Tough: 22km. Moderate ascents. 6h–10h.
A rambler favourite! River valley, forest tracks, sandy bridleways, open parkland, country houses, and wooded valleys. Can be muddy.
Lunch stop: the Barley Mow, Tilford Green (2h30–4h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Cyder House Inn, the Rose and Crown, the Richmond Arms, the Fox & Finch, or the Star.
Milford Station to Haslemere Station (Surrey)
30m from Woking, with one change.
17km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–8h.
A rambler favourite! Remote heathland, pretty lakes, sandy bridleways, ancient woodland, heather and gorse commons, and a dramatic natural amphitheatre. Can be muddy.
Highlights: Devil's Punch Bowl.
Lunch: Nowhere to eat en route — pack lunch!
End-of-walk reward: the Harper's Steakhouse.
Gomshall Station to Guildford Station (Surrey)
7m direct from Woking.
16km. Gentle ascents. 4h–7h.
Fields, wooded valley, pine woods, heathland common, stud farms, and canal and riverside path into a historic town. Can be muddy.
Highlights: Shere and Guildford.
Lunch stops in Shere (30m–1h in): the Dabbling Duck Café (excellent), Hillys Tea Shop, or the William Bray. Other lunch stop: the William IV (1h–1h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Britannia, the White House, or the George Abbot.
Wanborough Station to Godalming Station (Surrey)
15m direct from Woking.
12km. Moderate ascents. 3h30–6h.
Open fields, North Downs ridge, vineyard, golf course, mixed woodland, riverside path along the River Wey, and historic market town. Can be muddy.
Highlights: Guildford.
Lunch stops: the Tea Shop (1h30–2h in), or the Withies Inn (2h–3h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Star, the Fox & Finch, or the Richmond Arms.
Liphook Station to Haslemere Station (Hampshire)
30m direct from Woking.
Tough: steep ascents. 15km. 4h–7h.
Mixed oak, beech and chestnut woods, bridleways, streams, open countryside, horse paddocks, and a final climb into a market town. Can be muddy.
Lunch stops in Fernhurst (2h30–4h in): the Red Lion Pub, or the Fern Café.
End-of-walk reward: the Harper's Steakhouse.
Netley Station to Botley Station (Hampshire)
1h from Woking, with one change.
18km. Gentle ascents. 5h–8h.
Coastal country park, stony beach, light woodland, mudflats, riverside causeway with marinas, open farmland, and village lanes. Check tide timings.
Lunch stops: the Harpers Steakhouse (2h30–4h30 in), Little Canton (3h–5h in), or the Jolly Sailor (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk rewards: Manor Farm Café, the Dolphin, the Brewery Bar, or the Railway.
Hurst Green Station to Oxted Station (Surrey)
1h from Woking, with one change.
11km. Moderate ascents. 3h–5h.
Greensand hills, woodland, open country, and village paths. Can be muddy.
Lunch stops: the Carpenters Arms (1h–1h30 in), or the Grasshopper Inn (1h30–2h30 in).
End-of-walk reward: the Oxted Inn.
Merstham Station to Tattenham Corner Station (Surrey)
45m from Woking, with one change.
15km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–7h30.
Epic scenery sadly spoiled by the constant drone of the M25. North Downs ridge, parkland, open heathland, wooded paths, racecourse downland, and London panoramas. Relatively busy. Race days restrict access.
Lunch stops: Cafe Junction 8 (1h–2h in), the Sportsman (2h–3h30 in), or the Bell (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk reward: the Tattenham Corner.
Gomshall Station Circular via Shere (Surrey)
30m from Woking, with one change.
Tough: steep ascents. 10km. 3h–5h.
An essential walk! Can be muddy.
Highlights: Saint James's Church (see the remains of where a devout anchorite was encased within the church walls) and Shere.
Lunch stops in Shere (1h–1h30 in): the Dabbling Duck Café (excellent), the William Bray, Hillys Tea Shop, or the White Horse. Other lunch stops: the Drummond Arms (1h–2h in), Mandira's Kitchen (1h–2h in), or Carb Up and Go (1h30–3h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Compasses Inn, or the Gomshall Mill.
Mortimer Station to Bramley Station (Berkshire)
30m from Woking, with one change.
Easy: 12km, gentle ascents. 3h30–5h30.
An essential walk! Little known but quietly wonderful. Beautiful rather than spectacular, in a humble English village pathways sort of manner. Mostly secluded.
Highlights: Remnants of Calleva Atrebatum (includes ruins ofthe original walls, and a large amphitheatre where gladiatorial combats entertained up to 7,000 people at a time) and St Mary the Virgin Church (on the site of a Roman temple).
Lunch stop: the Calleva Arms (1h30–3h in; excellent).
End-of-walk reward: the Bramley Inn.
Salisbury Station Circular via Old Sarum (Wiltshire)
1h from Woking, with one change.
16km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–7h30.
An essential walk! Have lunch a café or pub next to the river. Return from Stonehenge to Salisbury by bus (very frequent & reliable but check times).
Highlights: Old Sarum Ruins and Stonehenge.
Lunch stop: the Bridge Inn (2h30–4h30 in; excellent).