Godalming and Winkworth Arboretum - Circular

Richard Clayton

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The walk starts and finishes in the attractive Surrey town of Godalming, with its interesting old buildings, the meadows alongside the River Wey and the Greensand Hills to the south. It is a town to enjoy wandering through, with plenty of pubs and cafes to relax in after the walk.

The route climbs quite steeply out of Godalming - the steepest climb of the whole route - and then drops down to cross Busbridge Lakes and climb again through fields, lanes and woodland to reach Winkworth Arboretum. See Additional Info' about Busbridge Lakes.

The arboretum has a hillside setting with sweeping views and is worth seeing especially when it is showing off its autumn colours. It was the vision of Dr Wilfrid Fox, an amateur gardener and botanist, who acquired the land in the late 1930s. It is now owned by the National Trust. A public right of way goes through the property, so that both members and non-members can enjoy it.

The route returns through lanes and pathways to meet the Wey Navigation, near the most southerly point on the whole of the inland waterway system. Once upon a time the Wey - Arun Canal continued southwards to enable people and goods to travel right through from London to Littlehampton on the South Coast. The narrow-boats and facilities at Farncombe Boat House are well worth seeing before you return to the town.

England - South England - Surrey - Greensand Hills

Features

Birds, Cafe, Church, Food Shop, Gift Shop, Lake/Loch, Museum, National Trust, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, River, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

12/19/2020 - Dave Miller

Further to my post of 12/1/2017, the footpath at Busbridge Lakes has been reinstated and the route can now again be followed as per the route directions.

1/12/2017 - Dave Miller

Note that for the forseeable future, the bridleway between the Busbridge Lakes is closed at point 6 on the map, due to erosion and is blocked with barriers. t is a long detour (about 2.5 miles !!)via Tuesley Farm and Hydestile to either return to the route at Hambledon Road, just south of point 7, or continue long Salt Lane to rejoin at point 9.

10/7/2012 - Patricia Daw

Completed on a gloriously sunny Saturday in early October. Started off by having a mooch around Godalming itself - a nice little town. The walk is well directed in all places except WM10 where we took the right path but after a bit the wider path should be ignored as it curves round the hill and instead we believe we should have taken the smaller path that probably would have dropped down. We never did see South Munstead Farm! We had a very nice bowl of veg soup for lunch at the very busy NT cafe and then being NT members we walked into the grounds via the ticket office. We were about three weeks or so too early for the optimum autumnal colours but it was delightful nevertheless. The walk back isn't as great as the beginning particwm 17 - 21 but the walk along the Wey Navigation is pleasant.

11/22/2010 - Keith Osborne

Slightly belated post - did this walk in the rain last weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. Arboretum definitely worth exploring more again when time (daylight) allows and imagine other wooded areas very pleasant in spring. Bit stivky underfoot in places but it had been raining most of the week previously. Pub is only about 45 minutes from the end of the walk, and we didn't see an alternative earlier on, certainly not once you've left Godalming, but Arboretum cafe is OK if you just want a snack. Little indoor/covered seating there so don't expect much shelter at busy times! Walk instructions are very easy to follow and accurate.