A Self-Guided Walk – Blackheath to Little London

A beautiful 7-mile/3.5hr walk from Blackheath, Surrey AONB, through the pretty village of Little London with refreshment options at the William IV pub and Albury Sports Club Café. Walking boots are advised as small sections can get muddy and there are some moderately challenging inclines, but the views definitely make up for it! Dogs on lead through several horse fields, and there are some stiles.

Start and finish at end of Blackheath Lane Carpark GU4 8RB

1.

At the end of the car park, walk past the five-bar metal gate onto the bridleway and follow the mostly sandy route for approximately 20min until it bends to the right. Continue on this gentle bend for about 250m, then turn left before it rises to an incline. Go over the stile next to the metal gate, then after approximately 150m at the end of this footpath go through a kissing gate.

2.

As you exit the cover of Blackheath forest descend a sandy (eventually gravel) footpath between horse fields for about 600m until you reach a T-junction with Brook Hill and Brook Farm Stables. Turn right on Brook Hill and pass Southside Cottage on your left. Turn left at the red phone box and follow the public footpath for about 200m which runs parallel to the road.

3.

Go over the stile and head diagonally (SE) across the horse field towards another stile to the left of the big oak tree and continue in this direction until you have gone through a total of three horse fields, two stiles and two kissing gates, and finally past a green metal barn and a white gate. With the duck ponds on your left, walk towards the small wooden gate in front of you. Follow the narrow footpath with Edgeley Holiday Park on your right. At the T- junction take the left, walking away from the caravan park.

4.

Follow the winding footpath for approximately 300m until you reach a T-junction with a beautiful big yew tree. Turn left onto the byway which can get muddy in parts following rain. After approximately 10 minutes you see a wooden post marker on the right of the byway. Go left here and continue along the narrow footpath and over a small stile onto a tarmac road through Ponds Farm. Continue along Ponds Lane until you reach the road (called Little London) and go right under the railway bridge following the road until you get to the William IV pub. A great spot for a well-deserved refreshment break!

5.

Just after the pub take the rocky private road on the left past Hurtwood View cottage. Walk for 225m to the corner of Hurst Lea House and turn left onto Park Road until you get to the book-filled bus stop on the left. Turn left onto Heath Lane Private Road for 50m until you see a seven-bar metal gate on your right. Here, turn right onto the grassy path, always bearing right. You’ll emerge onto New Road and cross over into Albury Sports Ground carpark. If you need a break here there is a friendly café and toilets open Wednesdays and weekends.

6.

From the car park, take the bridleway (not signposted) in the far right-hand corner heading northwest. Continue along this undulating path, passing two fallen logs and a clearing, then after approximately 500m edging Albury Warren on your left, you’ll come to the first footpath crossing. Follow the sign pointing left onto Albury Estate Public Footpath heading between high pine trees. At the end of this footpath (slightly bearing right) climb over the stile. You are now on top of a hill with stunning views over Blackheath (be aware of cows grazing). Walk downhill using the well-trodden bridleway passing an oak tree, towards the train tracks.

7.

Carefully cross the train tracks and continue under a gnarly tree canopy through the metal gate. From the courtyard of Ford Farm locate the footpath via a kissing gate bearing right onto a grassy track. With the stream on your left go straight ahead to the end of the field and over a stile. Turn right on the road, then immediately left up the hill passing a sign for Postford Farm. After passing horse stables and the farmhouse with green gables on your left, climb over another stile onto a long sandy path walking between horse fields. Go through 2 kissing gates and continue through the fields until the public footpath ends at white fence posts of Lockner Holt.

8.

Now turn left onto the bridleway uphill along the fence, with views to the right over fields with grazing sheep. This path passes some cottages and eventually reaches a junction with two public bridleways. Select the right bridleway and continue until you see an information sign where you take the very sandy path to the left, with views of the Blackheath War Memorial on the hill to your right. At the road turn right or take the parallel path if you prefer, both of which lead back to the main Blackheath car park where you began.

OS map available: https://explore.osmaps.com/route/23612008/bot-blackheath-to-little-london-7-mile-circular

Don’t fancy doing it alone? Join us on May 17th: Just Hike – Blackheath Forest & Little London Country trails (Surrey) 8 mile Circular – Back on Track

To take a look at our other hiking events visit https://www.backontrack.live/events/

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Written by Simone Dill & Sally Bailey Gates