Haslemere to Farnham Walk

The route leads out of Haslemere in a northerly direction along the quietest and shortest possible route to ascend through Coombswell Copse and along the wooded Invall ridge up to Hurt Hill and the Temple of the Four Winds, the ruin of an early 20th century belvedere, and one of several viewpoints with striking vistas. Turn westerly up to Gibbet Hill (the second highest point in Surrey), with more far reaching views, out to the North Downs and London, as well as back to Black Down and to the South Downs.
Skirt around the Devil’s Punchbowl along the course of the old A3 and descend into the remote Highcomb Bottom, a stunning sandy heathland valley to re-join the Greensand Way to Thursley.
Thursley Common (a NNR) is one of the largest heathlands as well as one of the last lowland peat bogs in southern Britain and an optional extension gives you prolonged exposure to it.
Next up is Hankley Common, another large heathland, and mostly MOD terrain, for an exploration of a D-Day training site with a replica section of The Atlantic Wall and assorted other defensive structures. On to the picturesque village of Tilford with its pub and cricket pitch on the green, followed by quiet woodland paths and lanes along the River Wey’s North Branch into Farnham, with an optional extension to Waverley Abbey’s ruins along the way.

Note: Before embarking on this walk, please read below section on Managed Access on Hankley Common.

An alternative ascent route to Gibbet Hill via Hindhead Common (with an option for a diversion via the Devil’s Punchbowl Café or Hotel for Elevenses) cuts 450m and 104m ascent/descent.

To shorten the walk:

• Bus 19 (Haslemere to Aldershot, hourly Mon-Sat) to Hindhead cuts 4.5 km and 150m ascent;
• The byway on top of the ridge above Highcomb Bottom cuts 660m and 36m ascent;
• A shortcut on Thursley Common cuts 800m;
• Bus 46 (Guildford to Farnham, roughly hourly Mon-Sat) from Waverley Abbey cuts the last 4 km.

To lengthen the walk:

• A slightly longer route within Invall (wood) leads over the (wooded) top of Hurt Hill;
• An extension in Highcomb Bottom adds 530m and 20m ascent;
• A loop, or just a short out-and-back in Thursley Common heathland, add either 750m or 1.7 km;
• An extension within that loop, around Pudmore Pond and through Thursley Bog, adds 1.5 km;
• An out-and-back to the fascinating Atlantic Wall remnants adds 0.8 km;
• An out-and-back to the picturesque Waverley Abbey ruins adds 1.5 km.

A Haslemere Circular Walk is possible by following the main walk to Thursley for lunch (or just to Gibbet Hill) and reverse-walking (map-led) the alternative start via Hindhead Common (for a tea stop include the diversion to the Punchbowl Café), or vice versa.

The current status of access rights on the MOD land of Hankley Common should be checked at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-access-to-military-areas#contents [under ‘Locations in South East England – Hankley and Elstead Commons’]. At time of writing the relevant rules are as follows:
“The training area is used for logistics and minor infantry manoeuvre exercises.”
“Public access is permitted along public rights of way across both Commons at all times. This includes two walks across the open heathland of Elstead and Royal Commons. In addition open access on foot is available in those areas delineated by the managed access symbol on Ordnance Survey Explorer maps. When walking in the training area you are requested not to interrupt military training and to observe the Byelaws.” The walk directions remind you of these rules whenever the route leaves public rights of way.

Saturday Walkers’ Club: Take the train closest to 9.00 hours.

The Devil’s Punch Bowl Café (01428 681 050). The Devil’s Punchbowl Café is located 4.5 km (2.8 mi) into the walk, if following the alternative ascent route.
The Devil’s Punchbowl Hotel (01428 606 565). The Devil’s Punchbowl Hotel is located 4.5 km (2.8 mi) into the walk, if following the alternative ascent route.
The Three Horseshoes (01252 703 268). The Three Horseshoes is located 10.5 km (6.5 mi) into the walk.
The Duke of Cambridge (01252 792 236). The Duke of Cambridge is located 15.5 km (9.6 mi) into the walk.
The Barley Mow (01252 792 205). The Barley Mow is located 17.1 km (10.7 mi) into the walk.

The Barley Mow (as above).
Tilford Village Shop & Café (01252 792 258). The Village Shop & Café is located 6.3 km (3.9 mi) from the end of the walk. It serves hot and cold drinks, cakes, sandwiches and snacks.
The Mulberry (01252 726 673). Open all day every day.
The Lamb (01252 714 133). Open all day every day. A Shepherd Neame pub.
The William Cobbet (01252 726 281). Open all day every day.

After the walk, please leave a comment, it really helps. Thanks!

You can also upload photos to the SWC Group on Flickr (upload your photos) and videos to Youtube. This walk's tags are:

National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Oct-23 Andrew Thomas G