A Self-Guided Walk – Gomshall to Shere
This rural 5 mile loop starts in Gomshall, meanders through rolling fields and farmyards then pauses for a refreshment break in the beautiful village of Shere. Some small inclines, and hedge-lined paths can be muddy in the wetter months.
Start and finish at Gomshall Train Station GU5 9NU
1.
From Gomshall Train Station, walk towards Station Road/A25 and cross over. Head into the tunnel and on exit, turn right into Wonham Way public footpath. Continue 200 metres crossing a small bridge until you come to a sheep field on the right. By the wooden post, bear left onto the public bridleway passing Twiga Lodge, eventually taking a right-hand bend with a row of houses now lining the public footpath on your left (ignoring left turn onto Route 22).
2.
Continue straight on walking between houses and horse fields. Slight bend to the left passing Southbrook House and continue for 300 metres until the path emerges at a house called Wey Side. Walk for another 50 metres, then take a sharp right on to a bridleway.
3.
After two minutes, bear right using the route that crosses the field offering wonderful views of the North Downs Way. Head towards the hedge at the end of the field, turn right and continue along this hedge-rowed footpath (bearing right) until you reach a wooden signpost on the left-hand side. At the fork, bear right onto a bridleway (blue sign) heading downhill following the perimeter of a horse field. When the path ends, in the distance you can see a red ‘phone box, houses on the left, and a farm with livestock on the right. Walk past the ‘phone box, onto Towerhill Lane and through the tunnel. After the tunnel, turn left onto High View Road following the 22 Cycle route and walk on the pavement for 250 metres until you see a bus stop. Cross Queens Street, pass Monks House and follow Gravel Pits Lane without taking any turns until you get to a gentle incline.
4.
Crossing the bridge over the rail tracks brings you into an open field. Walk for a couple of minutes until you arrive at a T-junction of paths, taking the left turn slightly up hill. As the fence on the right ends, turn right on to the bridleway and continue for 60 metres until a lovely field view appears. Here, bear left and follow the bridleway alongside a high fence and Vectory cottage to Burrow Cross road (not sign posted). Turn right and walk along the road for 20 metres, turning immediately left onto a fenced path with beautiful views over rolling countryside. This path ends when it meets Hound House Road (not sign posted).
5.
Cross the road and take the little unmarked path directly opposite (This path runs parallel to Parklands, a quiet residential road featuring Parklands Farm.) Continue without making any turns, until you see the large metal bridge crossing the railway tracks. Cross the bridge and follow the bridleway slightly bearing right and then across the road. Continue for about 200 metres until you head downhill into a warren (sunken path) through trees on either side at root height.
6.
At the bottom of this warren bear right continuing downhill for 50 metres ignoring a path to the right. At the fork chose the right path that has a short incline. At the top of the incline, look out for an old wooden fence lining a rolling field on the left. Continue on this 150-metre path until the fencing ends. Walking down into the valley, you’ll pass a bungalow on the right with high hedges at the end of this path. Continue straight onto Pathfields road and follow it all the way to the end where you turn left onto Shere Lane into the village.
7.
Once you’ve had time in pretty Shere, walk across ‘The Square’ towards the church spire, passing Split Figs shop and continuing on Church Lane, passing St James’s Church yard on the left. The end of the lane turns into a crossroad junction. Here, take the public footpath through a small wooden gate up hill. When you reach an open field, turn left. It’s not signposted, but it’s a wellworn path. You’ll pass a large oak after about 50 metres on the left with a bench and a view of Shere church. Continue straight for 15 minutes, crossing small junctions but ignoring any turns. The end of this path is on the junction of Gravel Pits Lane again.
8.
On this junction (signposted Route 22) turn left and walk on Gravel Pits Lane until it crosses over Queen Street and leads straight onto High View road passing the bus stop containing books. At the end of High View, bear left onto Goose Green, leaving behind the railway tunnel on the right. Walk 5 minutes along Goose Green, passing the recreation ground and arriving at The Gomshall Mill pub at the end. Turn right on the main road (A25/Station Road) passing Coach House Surrey. At the end of the road before you reach the tunnel, cross over the road and turn left to the train station car park where we began.
OS map available: https://explore.osmaps.com/route/25934607/ back-on-track-gomshall-to-shere-5mile-loop
To take a look at our other hiking events visit https://www.backontrack.live/events/
For more information on our hikes and guided walks follow us our Facebook and Instagram.
Written by Simone Dill & Sally Bailey Gates
