If you enjoy long walks with the dog, our dog walking guide is the perfect accompaniment to your summer. It includes six dog walks throughout the beautiful Surrey countryside, with each walk ending at a local pub which serves a selection of food and drink. So grab the dog, your walking boots and maybe a flask of tea for the journey and make a day of it!
Our fourth walk takes in the scenery of the Virginia Water and Wentworth area. It is 9.41 miles long (or 15.14km) and should take approximately 3.75 hours to complete. The walk starts and finishes at The Rose and Olive Branch, a quaint and traditional pub in Callow Hill, Virginia Water. The pub offers a fantastic lunch menu, including classics such as ham, egg and chips, as well as a great selection of sandwiches, jacket potatoes and salads. They also offer a delicious Sunday menu and evening menu. Also, one last hint, The Rose and Olive Branch are renowned for their homemade pies and Wellingtons – so if you’re partial to a bit of pastry, we highly recommend trying them!
Route:
- Park at The Rose and Olive Branch, Callow Hill, Virginia Water, GU25 4LH. On leaving the pub, turn left and cross to walk along the pavement. When the pavement begins to bend on a hill, cross over and take the bridleway.
- When you come to a t-junction, turn left. Follow the road, fork right and then take the bridleway through woods and onto a residential road. Follow the signs for the public bridleway to Stroude Road, going down a hill and then across the railway line. When you reach Stroude Road, turn right and keep going for half a mile until you reach the cross-roads with pedestrian lights. Turn right and use the bridge to cross over the railway line. Then go down the steps to the station car park.
- Take the footpath signed Riverside Walk and Nature Trail. Proceed straight on until you eventually turn right into Trumps Green Avenue. Turn left into Beechmont Avenue at the cross-roads and then turn right to pass a row of shops. Continue uphill, crossing the junction to walk up Crown Road and then crossing Wellington Avenue to use the public footpath on the other side.
- Continue uphill and, once you reach a three-way junction of paths, take the public footpath to the right, going downhill. When you come to another sign in roughly 100 meters, turn right and follow the path into the woods and then through Fox Meadows. Take West Drive, following it for just over a mile. You will then reach the A30/London Road; turn left and continue on the pavement. You are now halfway through the walk, making this a great time to pause for a well-earned break!
- Just before you reach Bluebells Restaurant, cross the road and follow the public footpath and bridleway to the right. Keep going until you come to the A329 junction, where you should go left in the direction of the Virginia Water South car park. Cross the car park and then enter Windsor Gate Park. Follow the path ahead and then turn right to take the lakeside path. Continue on this path for almost two miles, passing the Roman ruins, Cascade Bridge and Virginia Water Pavilion on the way.
- When you reach Wick Pond Causeway, cross and circle the totem pole. You should then cross back over Wick Pond Causeway, bear left and take the path which runs next to the stream. Keep following the path until the stream goes underground; you should then bear left before turning right at a staggered junction. Continue on until you see the park exit on your right.
- Go through the metal gate onto Wick Road and then turn right onto the A30. Follow the A30, in the direction of Callow Hill, and then turn right to follow the pavement back to The Rose and Olive Branch. Now it’s time to treat yourself to a pub lunch or a nice afternoon drink; we’re sure the dog could do with a lie-down too!
