As a nation of dog lovers, dog walks are one of our favourite past-times. This is especially true when the sun is out and there is a beer garden at the finish line! So to celebrate the longer days, increasingly warm weather and onset of Summer – everyone’s favourite time of year – Green Lane Farm are creating a guide detailing Surrey’s best dog walks!
Each of our dog walk routes will finish at a pub, where you can enjoy a hearty meal or a simple drink, and will take in the beautiful countryside we’re incredibly fortunate to live near. So make the most of the sun (and the beer) and take your beloved dog on a countryside stroll!
Our first walk is set in the Tillingbourne and Albury area and is 7.01 miles long (or 11.28 km) and should take you approximately three hours to complete. The walk starts and ends at The William IV pub, a lovely country pub featuring low beams, chunky wooden tables and roaring fires. Dog and child friendly, The William IV serves homemade pub food, including steak, battered cod, free-range pork and sticky toffee pudding, and also stocks an impressive selection of cask ales. The kitchen is open between 12pm and 2pm and again from 7pm Monday to Saturday. They don’t serve food Sunday evenings, but they are open for lunch between 12pm and 2pm and offer up a fantastic roast that the dog is sure to badger you for!
Route:
- Park at The William IV pub (Little London, Albury, GU5 9DG). From here, turn left onto Little London road. Then, turn left again once you reach a small track with houses on its left and woodland on its right.
- Cross the T-junction to reach South Lodge. Go through the kissing gates, proceeding along an avenue lined with chestnut trees. Then turn left and cross the footbridge to Tillingbourne.
- In 180 m you will reach a crossing of paths; turn left and follow the woodland path through three kissing gates and a wooden swing gate close to the Catholic Apostolic Church.
- Once you get to Albury Street, cross the road. Keep to the right and pass through a swing gate and two stiles. You will then reach a track which leads to Western Woods Sand Quarry.
- After 260 m, the woods will merge with a track. Bear left by Timbercroft and, after a few minutes, turn right to proceed up a driveway. Turn left and then right to continue on another track. Follow this path across a field and out of the woods and, after approximately 600m, you should find Guildford Lane.
- After a couple of minutes, turn right into Guildford Lane Car Park. Walk through the car park and turn left to cross a wooden footbridge. Bear left to come to a sandy path. You should then take an immediate right, reaching a grassy area, and continue forward.
- Once you come to a bridleway, cross to an unmarked track and bear right. Turn left just before the field and continue for approximately 540 m. The Tillingbourne will be on your right-hand side. You are now halfway through the walk so it’s the perfect time to stop for a break!
- When you reach Millstream cottage, turn right and then turn right again. You will then see Postford Mill Pond to your left and Bottings Corn Mill to your right. Cross the bridge and take the public footpath.
- Follow the path through two fences and cross a stile. Then cross a footbridge and a further two stiles, walking through the Admiralty Cordite Works as you do so. Continue over a field and another stile; then turn to the A248 by Lockner Farm.
- Cross the road and head over the railway bridge; then go through a gate on your left-hand side. Follow the path, crossing a stile and a kissing gate, and continue across a field and up a track passing Postford Farm Cottages.
- Follow the path downhill. Cross a stream and a junction and then, when you can see a railway arch, turn right. Take the immediate left, crossing over your final stile, and continue until you reach the Little Ford Farmhouse. Go through the gate and turn left.
- Follow the lane, turning right and left as it does, until you reach New Road and can see Albury Sports Ground on your right. Cross to Park Road and continue for roughly 550 m until you reach South Lodge. Turn right and you are back at The William IV – hurray! Now it’s time for a well-earned drink and some proper pub grub!
