My story begins this time with childish excitement as I couldn’t wait for days to try out my new walking-shoes, so when the weekend arrived, I was straight out of the door of my flat. I started walking from The White House pub at the bottom of town and at the beginning, I did not have the slightest idea of my destination. I simply decided to follow the River Wey, which turned out to be a wise decision as there is a tow path parallel to the river, and on the day, there were many other people enjoying it together with me.

This nice (mostly flat) part of the Wey Navigation ends in Godalming in the south, whilst extending to Weybridge in the north. So I decided to head south, where I would pass Millmead Lock, St Catherine’s Lock, Unstead Lock and Catteshall Lock on the river. But to begin with, I passed Millmead Lock in no time, whilst paying attention to the beautiful park around it. The grass was crowded with people and families, with kids running around or feeding the ducklings and couples enjoying the sun together. Note to self: come back here another day and relax lazily with a book.

The path itself was very fine, with the road not being too muddy or soft to walk on, so I made it to Unstead Lock quite quickly, counting at least six families cycling and around 20 other people passing by on the same path. I love the scene of the father leading the group, with the kids with brightly coloured helmets sandwiched in the middle and the mum trailing at the back checking that everyone is fine. Never skipping a thank you when you shift from the path to the grass to give them way.

After going through the vast fields, I then entered the familiar, quiet, green and blue path surrounded with trees and a lovely view, before coming to Trowers Footbridge and finally Farncombe Boat House. On the river I could see a lot of boats being rented by families, some parked up with barbecues smoking, some playing with their dogs on the bank.

I stopped and had a rest at Catteshall Lock in the end, where I could see the houses of Godalming aligned on the hills on both sides. I took the opportunity to take off my shoes and socks and let my feet rest on the grass, listening to the Wey passing the Lock before realising I had to head back.

I had an unfortunate moment where I was frightened by a large dog that had been let off his leash, but a gentleman managed to restrain him quite quickly. Normally at the Lock sites, there are many signs warning people to keep dogs under control, since the water flowing at high speed might be dangerous to them or for the kids walking with their parents close to the water. But I guess this was an exceptional event, so I got over it after a few minutes and kept walking towards my town again.

On the way back, I had a nice chat with a lady who was playing with her son and their dog and she told me it was quite necessary after a long cruise on the river. English people like greeting each other during their walks and I love this friendly habit very much. I am sure that all of my walks around Guildford will be just as pleasant as long as I have the determination to step out with the map and camera in my hand.

Serra Topal

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We decided to take the Pilgrims Way on an incredibly sunny ‘Sun’day and I couldn’t believe that just opposite The Weyside pub, five minutes from the town centre, we reached fully green areas of countryside. I was shocked to think that I have been living here for months and never discovered this place, where nature had decided to paint a scene with a soft brush of green and slight sprinkles of yellow. We are living so close to such untouched, vast green areas in this town, very close to the tip of your nose and it is fantastic!

We soon found our souls in the silent forest, where only the birds, squirrels and creatures who have their homes there have the right to make a noise. We obeyed this untold rule as we walked, listening to the wind and observing nature’s own way as rays of light fell down upon us, like a waterfall on the leaves and the ground.

A few minutes later, the forest gave way to an open area, where we saw a few horses, enjoying the sun and the grass. One of them approached us immediately; he was gorgeous- shiny like a black pearl in the bright day. Another one walked towards us, but this one was a little bit shy and a curious white horse looked up and approached, sniffing everything.

We started to climb the steep road up the hill and the views on the right hand side were amazing- luckily we reached the top and St Martha’s church just as we were out of breath. The view from the church garden was stunning; a 360 degree panoramic view. It is not possible to capture the ambiance with ordinary cameras (so thank you Elevatecam.com for providing the stunning aerial shot at the top) and really you have to live it yourself.

There was a family having a picnic on the grass, cute little children laughing and playing around and some elderly folk who had come to enjoy the fresh air and sun. After getting some fruit juice that they were selling at the church door, we regained our breath, felt the wind and sun, sat down on the stones and enjoyed our food. We rested a while, taking off shoes, letting tired toes meet the sun and tried to take in as much of the greenery as we could.

Later we headed back down the hill and entered a narrow, new path inside one of the fields. More interestingly, we were not alone on the path; there were other people with their children, walking their dogs too. What a lovely way of meeting with nature for a child! However this was nothing new to them, a usual Sunday walk where I was overcome by how much British people love to greet each other as they meet.

Serra Topal

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There are a variety of different ways to enjoy the beautiful River Wey, Guildford’s own little slice of the countryside that winds its way through the town and beyond. Dog walkers, cyclists and families feeding the ducks will be familiar with the sights of sprawling fields, grazing cattle and flocks of noisy ducks, eager to be tossed a slice of bread. But there is another way of enjoying the river that involves taking to the water itself; kayaking.

If you have ever been for a stroll by the river, taken a barge down the canal, had a beer at one of the many pub gardens along its banks or gone for a picnic on the grass then there is a strong chance that you will have seen members from the Wey Kayak Club slicing through the water. Like a powerful, well-oiled machine, kayakers paddle with a rhythmic ferocity, propelling themselves along the river with a beautiful fluidity.

Unfortunately, novices venturing out onto the water for the first time are more likely to be going round in circles than going straight to begin with and probably won’t be gliding with the same elegance as the highly trained Wey Kayak Club members.

The River Wey is a fairly still and serene body of water with a comparatively gentle current, ideal for beginners. If you do get a chance to go out on the river via kayak, then be mindful of the difficulty of getting into your little vessel first. Once this challenge has been hurdled, you should be able to truly enjoy the experience; the coolness of the river, the inquisitive ducks and the sunlight through the trees all provide a feeling of intimacy and peace.

Kayaking, is a physically demanding sport and not for the fainthearted, but the sense of community you feel when on the river makes it all worthwhile. From families on their houseboats, fishermen on the banks, walkers, cyclists and rowers; there is a simplistic and idyllic feel that allows you to drift away from the busy town life.

If you are interested in trying it out for yourself or with your friends or family, then check out the Wey Kayak Club website HERE, or pop down to see them at the Weyside Centre on Riverside Road in Bellfields (01483536407). It is a wonderful way to gain a new insight into the beautiful River Wey.

Charli Aisha Harris

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Do you need some fresh air to breathe? Do you need any motivation to start moving again, maybe running or cycling? Do you need to forget crowded subways and remember the joy of walking again? Have your eyes forgotten to see uninterrupted green and are you sighing at pictures in which you cannot see houses due to large trees, or skies full of the brightest sunlight?

This is what I felt, but could not express on the night I arrived back in the UK after a 20 day break in my homeland, Turkey. I was feeling peaceful in the fresh-smelling taxi, which had come to the airport from Guildford to pick me up; sharing it with a very handsome lady, wearing a baby-blue jacket and talking lovely.

The night was clear and I could see the stars through which I had landed just a few minutes ago. It seemed it had rained and stopped. We passed through the roads, following the cat’s eyes and I watched the dark silhouettes of the trees on both sides, sleeping, undisturbed since there were no city lights around. Still, they had grown with the spring whilst I was away and in that moment, I realised how lucky I was once more.

I was amazed with the natural parks and sleepy pubs I saw out the window, promising myself to visit them in the summer and then I remembered the cosy houses outside of town as we went past them at night. Their gardens, the blooming trees and the awakening plants covered the road like Walls of Green; all had been sparkling in the early morning light 20 days ago as I made my way to Heathrow.

The town was not sleeping on this fair night as music from the clubs on Onslow Street was still hanging in the fresh air. I added some noise of my own to that while dragging my luggage on the pavement. The birds were all sleeping in the branches above me; they always go to bed early.

Now I was at the door of my apartment, ready to start living in the UK again. However, this time it was different, not at all like the first time I came here last year. This time I was coming back ‘home’.

And the next day, nature was ready to welcome me back with those fragrant flowers on the bushes and the proud trees that have been ruling the skies since April. Walking back home from campus was such a great joy, one that I had missed whilst I was away!

If you are tired of grey buildings, apartment blocks, smoke, pollution, cars and concrete, then you’ve come to the right place; Guildford. As my mum says, “You’ll never age there.”

Serra Topal

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As I woke up on the first day of March, I was feeling sceptical due to the gloomy predictions of “Eight inches of snow to hit Britain at the weekend” as described by the Daily Express. Luckily, the weather did not agree with the newspaper and the sun was shining idly in the middle of the sky, with some cotton-like clouds wandering more lazily around.

“This is a perfect day – this-is-a-perfect-day to go out for a walk and discover some hidden gems on the streets of Guildford!”

My inner voice was not mistaken and so I climbed up Guildford High Street. Suddenly I darted up a cosy looking street because an interesting name of a jewellery shop (‘Cry for the Moon’) caught my attention. Yes, we, as residents in Guildford, have a stunning imagination- even the names of our shops are inspiring!

After a five-minute walk, I was at the Guildford Castle– so close to the town centre that I was clearly mistaken when I guessed it to be outside the town. My second mistake was in thinking that it would be surrounded with empty, forgotten lands, but to my surprise, it was in fact skirted by amazingly designed gardens. This is just what we need after a long, long winter I thought.

The sun helped me by coming out of the clouds and the flowers were sparkling in front of my camera and I was not alone in snapping some pictures. Many people old and young had cameras and with me there were families with all their children running around on the footpaths. I hiked up to the castle itself, fascinated with the view of Guildford, the geometrical roofs, sleepy trees and hills around me. This was the first day of March, and I was enjoying the feeling of spring already!

Looking down from the top I could see there was a small pond and banks to sit on whilst having a peaceful time listening to the birds chirping, so I aimed to go back down. The hill of the tower has been cleverly designed with paths spiralling downwards, so I had more time to shoot the view as I meandered along.

In that moment, I caught the very picture which summarizes the spirit of the town in my opinion- a small plant that had grown at the edge of the bank and did not bother to hide in the shade. Sometimes taking a picture like that makes me feel so happy and I would describe this as the ‘photo that made my day’.

After walking further down, I could not resist kneeling down and shooting some pics of the shiny grass and flowers. Then I walked towards one of the gates, down a dozy lane (Quarry Street) and my mind was taking notes: “Here is an Italian restaurant, Olivo. Should come and try sometime. Here is a pub, The Kings Head. Should come back one day soon.” And then there was another beautiful Italian cafe and another one with a terrace. This was too much for my mind, but not for my determination!

I ended up on North Street after following a melody some young people were playing and singing Daft Punk’s ‘Get Lucky’. Yes we are lucky – and happy to live in such a beautiful town.

Written & Photographed by Serra Topal

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Many are already familiar with St Martha’s on the hill – a quaint little church perched high above Guildford, overlooking beautiful countryside. St Martha’s is easily accessible from Halfpenny Lane, nestled just up from the top of the town centre. However, there is a lesser known spot mere feet down from the car park of St Martha’s, tucked away on the lane, called the Bluebell Woods. Also known as ‘Chantry Woods’, the Bluebell Woods are a truly beautiful area rich with lush woodland. The great trees of the forest loom high overhead, creating a blanketing canopy that cradles the woods, whilst removing the visitor from the sights and sounds of the outside world.

Made up of approximately 200 acres of mixed woodland and meadows, the Bluebell Woods offer a gentler terrain than that of St Martha’s, with equally as breath-taking views. Upon entering the woodland and strolling up a gentle incline, it is easy to be struck by both the tranquillity of the woodland and the ever present soundtrack of forest life. Expect bird song and rustling branches, undergrowth stirring in the breeze and the snap and crackle of twigs beneath foot or paw as you drink in the peaceful sounds of nature’s playground. The woods are popular with ramblers and of course, dog walkers, but don’t be surprised if you also hear the clip-clop of horses hooves around as the Bluebell Woods are not just popular for those walking on foot, but also for those travelling by hoof!

The forest seems to contain all of the quiet and timeless beauty of a great cathedral, but visitors on a clear day will be greeted by the almost glaring gateway of light where the overshadowed woodland gives way to meadows. Emerging through this break in the trees, the greeting of the meadows is one of awe inspiring views. On the South side they look out over Chilworth and its surrounding areas as the views stretch on for miles, instilling both wonder and awe in all that gaze over them. Strolling from meadow to meadow, past fire pits and benches and looking out over the beautiful Surrey Hills, the walk is relaxing and not too challenging; ideal for families with young children or for those seeking more of a gentle walk than a challenging hike.

The reason that the Chantry Woods is also known as the Bluebell Woods has everything to do with the timing of your visit; if you go during the spring time you will have the chance to witness a truly remarkable demonstration of natural beauty. Thousands upon thousands of bluebells poke their little heads up through the forest floor and erupt into full bloom and the woodland becomes a rich carpet of beautiful blue. This is nature itself arranging a breath-taking display of its own handiwork.

So, come spring time, when you first begin to notice the little green shoots that herald the approach of bluebells in bloom, why not pay a visit to one of Guildford’s many hidden gems? A gentle walk on a clear day, replete with rich woodland and beautiful views from the meadows, is a wonderful way to spend an hour or two. And if the timing is right then perhaps you will get to witness the hypnotic explosion of blue through the forest floor.

Charlotte Aisha Harris

Photographed by Emily Murphy

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So No Snow HO HO HO

I am writing this winter instalment as January nears its end. I have been waiting for some classic wintery weather so as to indulge in some nostalgic frost tinted descriptions. I had hoped to dot this piece with a blizzard of Christmas character and imagery. Alas not one barren field frozen with snow has presented itself for imprinting.

Instead I will reflect on this year’s Christmas walk, an event I organise each year, a lovely occasion to breathe sharp, bright air and chat with faces fair. This year, despite the party being somewhat overdressed for the mild weather, we were stuffed with the anticipation of Christmas. We headed off from the North Downs on Pewley Hill for Shere, a hearty rabble. To prove to ourselves we were no longer 17 (our age at the very first annual walk) we rang ahead to the White Horse to warn them of our planned invasion, however this was done in such a jovial manner they thought it was foolishness. They would have to wait for the proof of our arrival. The White Horse is an old, gnarled building full of warmth and wood wise experience. Built around 1500, it became an inn in the 17th century. Like many pubs, it seems to be getting increasingly more corporate and algorithmic yet on balance it does retain some of its charm. Certainly the village of Shere is so picturesque it does half of the work for the pub, such is the joy of arriving into the quaint patter of the village after being among trees, mud, hedgerow and fresh air (except the bit where you pass a landfill site).

Our route had taken us over the top of St Martha’s which featured in my previous post. We skidded down the sandy track past the hexagonal Pillbox. This war time feature fails to evoke the fearful spirit of a different time, having hosted more childhood games than deadly fighting- the mossy lump instead looks a part of the harmonious woodland now. We skirted along the tailcoats of Newlands Corner and resisted the urge to run up the hill for an early break of tea and chips at the Barn or indeed to take in the wonderful view. Instead we continued in one another’s easy company towards the silver wood. It was the perfect dappled light to take in Henry Drummonds mortuary chapel, the rose window never fails to capture my attention from a distance, I find it gives off a mysterious circular whirring, almost hypnotic.

Time passed quickly as did the miles, we nestled right into the Tillingborne Valley where Shere can be found in no time at all. As far back as Norman times the settlement would have sprung up around the life giving water of the duck quaking, children playing, fresh and buoyant little stream. To our surprise a whole room had been set aside for us on arrival at the pub, precaution or hospitality we were not certain, all the same a cosy hollow for our conversation and laughter to continue.

Had we not sought sanctuary for so long we might have had time to visit the Silent pool and strain our senses for a feel of the drowned maiden who met her fate whilst escaping the clutches of Prince John. The very same Prince John depicted by Disney as a thumb sucking lion. This sparked a host of songs, Christmassy and otherwise, music escorting us easily to a waiting feast. Regardless of whether you have any of your own customs or not, I would thoroughly recommend starting your own traditions, especially if they encourage you and those you love to explore the natural treasure on our doorstep.

Tom Burgess

Image sourced from: http://tinyurl.com/o4h2t7p

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Newlands Corner is not just a place for weekend walkers and hardcore hikers, with its food and drink available onsite, Newlands Corner is a hit for families looking for somewhere to take the children away from the hustle and bustle of town life. The adults can sit and enjoy their tea and coffee, staring out at the breath taking chalk downs, while the kids play in the playground, complete with climbing frame and slide.

With its off road bike trails and slopes, Newlands Corner is a great place for cyclists, whether they be mountain bikers or stunt riders or even just the casual biker out for a relaxing ride around the woodland with its wonderfully luxurious mix of nature and comfort.

And if you explore a little deeper into the woodland, you will find one of the real treasures that Newlands Corner has to offer. The great old Yew trees have stood sentinel here for hundreds of years and are awe inspiring in their size and grace. If four adults hold hands and stretch themselves around the base of the trunks, there is a good chance that their hands will not meet on the other side. Some of the Yew trees have hollow trunks, which can be a both a fantastic and surreal experience; affording one the chance to in fact climb inside one of the great old trees. They add an almost magical charm to the woodland surrounding Newlands Corner.

As well as the views, the trails, the food, drink and relaxing charm, we cannot forget to mention the work that the staff onsite do to maintain Newlands Corner and its wildlife, both flora and fauna. With a wealth of information on how to visit and enjoy the site without causing damage and harm to the natural beauty, the conservation centre also offers views of their bird garden which is always filled with local birds fluttering around, feeding and nesting. The work that they do is invaluable in protecting sites like Newlands Corner from the ravages of town and city life.

Whether you are a parent, grandparent, student, cyclist, dog walker, or passer-by, Newlands Corner serves as a reminder of the beauty that Guildford has to offer.

Charli Aisha Harris

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