Explore

There are three main areas of Virginia Water:

• Virginia Water – the main lake area, which has the Leptis Magna ruins, waterfall, and the totem pole. 

 

 

 

 

 

• The Valley Gardens – an area of hills and valleys planted with flowering plants from across the world. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• The Savill Garden – beautiful and connected gardens that often have child-friendly events. 

 

 

 

 

• Adventure Play – wooden huts, tree houses and tube slides connected by bridges, climbing tunnels, nets and ladders.

 

 

 

 

The Play Area

If you walk past the totem pole towards The Savill Garden, you will find the Obelisk Lawn Play Area. This has a sunken ship and equipment for children aged 2 to 9 years old. 

 

 

 

Cafes

There are several cafes around the gardens to buy coffee and snacks.

 

 

 

 

The Paths

There are lots of walking routes to choose from. Each pass different features on a variety of surfaces – some paths are flat and well surfaced, others are muddy but flat and others are rugged and bumpy.

 

 

Pick Up a Map

There are clear sign posts but it is worth picking up a map. We found one in the cafe at the Valley Gardens car park.

 

Nearest Town: Virginia Water
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU25 4QF

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or try one of the many places to buy food – the cafe next to Virginia Water car park or The Savill Garden car park, mobile cafes scattered across the gardens or nearby pubs.
Facilities: Cafes, picnic areas, ice creams, snacks, toilets, accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Several large car parks –  Virginia Water (GU25 4QF), Virginia Water South (SL5 7SB), Valley Gardens (TW20 0UJ – but Members and Friends only) and The Savill Garden (also TW20 0UJ). All of these are very busy during warm weather. 
Cost of Parking: From £3.10 per hour.

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies and other insects, lots and lots of ducks and other water birds.

Information Written: November 2016
Information Checked: September 2023

 

The Chilworth Gunpowder Mills

The Gunpowder Mills were established in 1626 by The East India Company and initially built by a dam near Blacksmith Lane.

 

 

 

By the 1700s there were 18 watermills using huge millstones to grind gunpowder, sulphur and charcoal.

 

 

 

 

These mills were an important manufacturer and supplier of gunpowder but were abandoned in 1920 and left to go to ruin.

 

 

 

Further details of the history of the Gunpowder Mills can be found on the Albury History Society’s website or pick up a leaflet at the entrance to the Gunpowder Mills.

 

 

 

The Ruins

We started the trail at Blacksmith Lane (see below details on parking) and saw the mill pond and West Lodge, where workers were checked in.

We then walked past the remains of the Corning House, which sadly exploded in 1901, killing 6 men.

 

Next along the trail are the ruins of an Incorporating Mill, with a fallen chimney and runner stones that were their sides to provide protection in the event of a blast.

 

 

There are also two bridges – a modern footbridge (that takes you to Vera’s Lane – see below notes on parking) and a swing bridge used by trams carrying coal to the mills from Chilworth and Albury railway stations.

 

 

At the end of the path we found the most complete Gunpowder Mill buildings.

There are steps down into these ruins but we did not venture in very far as the floor was very uneven.

 

 

Paddling in the River Tillingbourne

The River Tillingbourne runs through this area. It is shallow with a log bridge and a large wooden snail sculpture.

 

 

 

It is perfect for a splash and a paddle. We waded a little way along the river and found a tree that has been made an island by the flowing water.

 

 

 

 

The Picnic Area

In a clearing in the centre of the woods we found a good sized picnic area.

 

 

 

 

 

The Paths

The paths around the Gunpowder Mills were generally earth and grass, which was dry when we visited but may well become muddy after rain.

 

 

 

We found the main paths to be generally wide and flat and we used our all terrain double buggy on them without any problems.

 

 

 

 

Keep to the Paths

We only walked on the paths because the leaflets and information boards warn that you enter this site at your own risk, you should not climb on the buildings and that there are hidden pits, water features and boggy areas around the grounds.

 

 

Chilworth Heritage Trail

If you fancy a longer walk then have a look at the Chilworth Heritage Trail, which starts and ends on Vera’s Path and leads past the ruins and ponds, up to St Martha’s Hill and then back down to the Gunpowder Mills.

Nearest Town: Chilworth, near Guildford
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU4 8NP or GU4 8NF

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: Picnic area.

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: We used an all terrain buggy but some of the paths can be narrow.

Parking: There are a couple of parking spaces on Blacksmith Lane (GU4 8NF) opposite the entrance to the Gunpowder Mills, which is next to the little bridge. You can also park on the roadside next to Chilworth C of E Infant School (Dorking Road – GU4 8NP) from where there is a footpath, called Vera’s Path, that leads you to the Gunpowder Mills (see photo).
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Frogs, toads, butterflies, insects and birds.

Information Written: August 2017
Information Checked: September 2023

 

Newark Lock

This shady lock is a good place to see Newark Priory ruins and, if you are lucky, see the lock in action…

 

 

 

…which took about 20 minutes from start to finish.  

 

 

 

 

Newark Lock is about a five to ten minute walk from the car park, along a path that has a fairly smooth surface.   

 

 

 

Newark Priory Ruins

Newark Priory was built in the 12th century and dissolved by Henry VIII in 1539.

 

 

 

You cannot visit the ruins but they can be seen from the footpath at Newark Lock.  

The best time to get a clear view of the Priory is when the trees have lost their leaves. 

 

Papercourt Lock

At Papercourt Lock there is a lock keeper’s cottage, a tumbling bay waterfall and moored boats. 

 

 

 

 

This lock is a little further – about fifteen to twenty minutes from the car park, through water meadows on a path that is not surfaced.  

 

 

 

Finding the Locks

Newark Lane car park is next to the river. From here you can either turn right and walk along the river towards Newark Lock or walk left towards Papercourt Lock.  

 

 

Both paths can become muddy so be sure to bring wellies if it’s been raining.

 

Nearest Town: Pyrford, near Woking
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU23 6DP

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: Choose a buggy that can handle bumps, grass and mud.

Parking: There is a small car park on Newark Lane (GU23 6DP) next to the road bridge.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Herons, ducks, swans, cows, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: May 2022

 

Waverley Abbey

Founded by the Bishop of Winchester in 1128, Waverley Abbey was a Cistercian abbey until it was dissolved in 1536 by Henry VIII.  

 

 

 

Some of the buildings are remarkably well preserved.

 

 

 

 

One has columns and vaulted ceilings that are still intact.

 

 

 

 

The grass is mown to give an idea of the floor plan.

 

 

 

 

The Paths

Waverley Abbey is about a five to ten minute walk from the car park.

 

 

 

 

The ruins are in a grassy field, which can be uneven in places. 

 

 

Nearest Town: Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU9 8EP

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour
Buggies: Choose a buggy that can handle grass.

Parking: There is a small car park that can be busy.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Herons, ducks, swans and butterflies.

Information Written: August 2016
Information Checked: November 2021

 

The Gardens

The colourful gardens have some magical touches – sculpted bushes children can slip in and out of…

 

 

 

 

and a Pinetum full of huge pine trees you can play hide and seek amongst and then make hidden dens under.

 

 

 

Others are littered with flowers, have picturesque views or have that secret garden feel!

 

 

 

 

The Balance Course

Near to the Pinetum is a natural play area with a balance course made of tree stumps. 

 

 

 

 

The Woodland

We did not have time to walk through any of the woodlands but there is an Arboretum walk, a lake, cascades, a meadow and a 50 metre tall giant redwood.

 

 

 

These woodland walks appear to be on different levels, connected by slopes and in some cases stairs.

 

 

 

 

The Paths

The majority of the paths around the house are easy to walk on and I used an ordinary buggy without any problems. 

 

Nearest Town: Handcross
County: West Sussex
Nearest Postcode: RH17 6EB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Adult Cost Range: From £15
Child Cost Range: From £7.50
Free if: Under 5 or with National Trust membership

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the cafe. 
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice creams, picnic area, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: About three hours.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: There is a car park that can be very busy. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Insects and birds.

Information Written: March 2017

 

The Story Trail

The Odiham Castle Story Trail is called “Henry The Forgetful”.

It’s a funny story about Henry, a pilgrim making his way from Winchester to Canterbury. He has a couple of mishaps along the way that made my children laugh out loud.

 

Henry eventually encounters the French army and the soldiers garrisoned at Odiham Castle, so before starting the story it is helpful to explain some of the castle’s history (thankfully outlined in the story pack!).

 

 

The Wildlife

We saw ducks, moorhens, grey herons and a huge white bird that turned out to be a great white egret.

 

 

 

 

Odiham Castle

Odiham Castle is the ruined remains of one of King John’s strongholds. 

 

 

 

 

By 1605 the castle lay in ruins.

Today all that remains are the flint cores of the walls. 

 

 

 

Where to Start

As the story pack suggested, we parked in Greywell village at the Fox and Goose pub (RG29 1BY).

 

 

 

To reach the towpath from the pub, leave the car park and turn left and then immediately right onto Deptford Lane (RG29 1BS).

There are no pavements between the pub and the footpath. 

 

 

At the end of the fir hedge on the left-hand side of the lane, is a narrow footpath.  This will take you over the Basingstoke Canal, down a short hill and onto the towpath.

 

 

 

 

 

The Paths

The paths were mostly wide level but the towpath can be quite stoney.

I did not have any access issues with a double, all-terrain buggy, although it was a little muddy in places.

 

 

Hampshire CC’s Story Trails

This is one of Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails.

These are walks with interactive stories to read along the way, which are told by a cute character called the Story Snail.

Each Story Trail is about one mile long and divided into numbered sections. Numbered markers prompt you to read the sections of the story along the trail.

 

Find a Story Pack

To follow the Story Trail you need a free pack that you can either borrow from a specified place (with a Hampshire Library card and a £20 returnable deposit) or download a copy of a story trail from the internet in written or audio form.

Each pack has a map to follow and the trail itself is marked with arrows and/or pictures of the Story Snail

 

Nearest Town: Odiham
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: RG29 1BY

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket. 
Facilities: Picnic table.

How Long We Spent There: About three hours.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: We parked in Greywell village at the Fox and Goose pub (RG29 1BY), which the story pack suggested. The pub has a car park. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, moorhens, herons, birds and insects. 

Information Written: February 2017

 

Odiham Castle

Odiham Castle is one of only three fortresses built by King John.

When construction finished in 1214, it boasted an octagonal keep, walls finished in stone, solid wooden doors, a lead covered roof and protection from the River Whitewater, moats, banks and fences.

 

The Ruins

Despite all this, by 1605 the castle lay in ruins. Today all that remains are the flint cores of the walls.

 

 

 

 

You cannot climb on these but can walk around the ruins and go inside the keep, where there are information boards about the castle and Magna Carta.

 

 

 

 

 

Basingstoke Canal

The castle can be reached on foot by walking along the beautiful Basingstoke Canal towpath, either from North Warnborough or Greywell village (see below for details).

 

 

 

We walked from Greywell and saw ducks, moorhens, grey herons and a huge, white bird that turned out to be a great white egret.

 

 

 

Henry the Forgetful

There is a story trail available to download called “The Story of Henry The Forgetful”, which you can follow from Greywell village to the castle and back again. You can read about our walk along the Odiham Castle Story Trail.

 

 

 

 

The Paths

The Basingstoke Canal tow path is generally wide and level but can be quite stoney.

There are no barriers between the path and the canal.

 

 

 

Where to Park

I’ve found two options for parking, either Tunnel Lane in North Warnborough (RG29 1HQ) or Greywell village (RG29 1BY). 

 

From Tunnel Lane

The Basingstoke Canal goes across Tunnel Lane so is easy to find.

 

 

 

 

From Greywell Village

To reach the towpath from Greywell village, take the footpath that starts on Deptford Lane (RG29 1BS), which is the road opposite the Fox and Goose pub.

 

 

 

This path is narrow and there is a short hill down to the towpath but this did not cause us a problem and our double buggy went through without issue. Please note that there are no pavements on either Deptford Lane or Hook Road.

 

Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails

*These are basically walks with interactive stories to read along the way, as told by a cute character called the Story Snail.

Each Story Trail is about one mile long and is divided into numbered sections that you read out as you reach number markers along the trail.

 

Getting the Story Trail

To follow the Story Trail you need a free pack that you can either borrow from a specified place (with a Hampshire Library card and a £20 returnable deposit) or download the story trail from the internet in written or audio form.  

Each pack has a map to follow and the trail itself is marked with arrows and/or pictures of the Story Snail.

 

Nearest Town: Odiham
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: RG29 1HQ or RG29 1BY (see above).

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket. 
Facilities: Picnic table.

How Long We Spent There: About three hours.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: I’ve found two options for parking, either Tunnel Lane in North Warnborough (RG29 1HQ) or Greywell village (RG29 1BY). Please see above for full details of parking. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, moorhens, herons, birds and insects. 

Information Written: February 2017