Shalford Park

Shalford Park itself is a large open area with lots of football pitches and some toilets.

 

 

 

 

St Catherine’s Hill

St Catherine’s Hill has been a sacred site for thousands of years.

 

 

 

 

In the 14th century a chapel was built here, which now lies in ruins.

 

 

 

 

 

Sacred Spring

At the bottom of St Catherine’s Hill by the River Wey is a sacred spring that was believed to cure sore eyes. 

 

 

 

 

River Wey Navigations 

The River Wey runs along Shalford Park.

 

 

 

 

 

St Catherine’s Lock

If you cross the river and turn left, you can walk to St Catherine’s Lock.   

 

 

 

 

Finding the River and St Catherine’s Hill

As you leave Shalford Park car park, head to the line of trees on your right and follow the footpath that leads through the trees and on to the River Wey and St Catherine’s Hill.

Nearest Town: Guildford 
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU4 8AA 

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket.
Facilities: None.

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour
Buggies: Generally buggy friendly but some of the paths can be narrow.

Parking: Car park.
Cost of Parking: £4 per day. 

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks and other birds, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: July 2022

 

St Catherine’s Hill

St Catherine’s Hill used to be called Drakehull (or Dragon Hill) and is  a sacred site that dates back thousands of years to the Stone Age.

 

 

 

In the 14th century a chapel was built here, which now lies in ruins.

 

 

 

 

 

Sacred Spring

At the bottom of St Catherine’s Hill by the River Wey is a sacred spring that was believed to cure sore eyes. 

 

 

 

 

Next to it is a little plaque and a poem:

“Your upward path, my downward flow

Are fixed by law divine,

My task is to refresh your soul,

Yours to discover mine”

 

 

River Wey Navigations 

The River Wey flows past St Catherine’s Hill.

 

 

 

 

You can follow the River Wey Navigations footpath along the river (if you are looking at the river then follow the path to the right)

 

 

 

and on to St Catherine’s Lock.  

 

 

 

 

 

St Catherine’s Lock

When at the lock, you can either turn around and go back to the car park the same way you have come or cross the river 

 

 

 

and follow the footpath back to Shalford Park,

 

 

 

 

passing St Mary’s Church, Shalford.

 

 

 

 

 

This route is wilder than the path along the river, with obstacles like fallen trees

 

 

 

 

and streams. 

 

 

 

 

 

Finding St Catherine’s Hill

As you leave Shalford Park car park, head to the line of trees on your right

 

 

 

 

and follow the footpath that leads through the trees and on to the River Wey.

 

 

 

 

Once at the river, cross the bridge

 

 

 

 

 

walk past the spring and up Ferry Lane to the main road.

 

 

 

 

St Catherine’s Hill is on your left and will take you up to the church.

 

Nearest Town: Guildford 
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU3 1LJ is the nearest postcode but parking is on the other side of the River Wey at GU4 8AA.

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket.
Facilities: None.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Generally buggy friendly but some of the paths can be narrow.

Parking: There is a car park at Shalford Park (GU4 8AA).
Cost of Parking: £4 per day. 

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks and other birds, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: July 2022

 

Waggoners Wells

On a walk around Waggoners Wells you will find three beautifully blue, man-made pools  

 

 

 

 

a waterfall

 

 

 

 

 

slopes to clamber up and slide down

 

 

 

 

 

tangles of tree roots to explore

 

 

 

 

 

and ducks, ducks, ducks!

 

 

 

 

 

You might also be lucky enough to spot some of the giant fish that live in the pools. 

 

 

 

 

The Wishing Well

The wishing well is at the lowest end of Waggoners Wells, a little beyond the last pool. 

A plaque on the wall commemorates the poem “Flower in a Crannied Wall” by Tennyson, which is believed to have been written here in 1863.

 

 

The wishing well is marked on the map board near the car park stairs. It is easy to find – follow the main path past the three pools and the wishing well is in the wall of the nearby house.

It took us about ten minutes to walk there. 

 

 

The Paths

The paths are generally flat

 

 

 

 

with some steps in places.  

 

 

Nearest Town: Headley Down, near Hindhead
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU26 6DT

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket.
Facilities: None.

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours 
Buggies: The main paths are relatively flat and easy to walk on but there are steps in places. 

Parking: There is a car park, which you reach by driving through a ford!
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, fish and insects.

Information Written: June 2022