Читать книгу The North Downs Way. National Trail from Farnham to Dover онлайн

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This initial stage of the long walk gives no real flavour of the Downs, but it makes a fine introduction with an abundance of wild flowers in the meadows, banks and hedgerows, and plenty of wildlife too. The walking is not too demanding, with no major ascents or descents to tackle – these will come later – and the way is mostly very well defined. In the place of open downland, this western end of the route offers a series of gentle agricultural landscapes, punctuated by woodland and one or two sandy heaths. The route passes through only one village and for long stretches there will be little habitation visible. However, study of the map will show that you are never very far from a farm, road or a group of houses, even if these are not visible from the footpath.

Close to the Surrey/Hampshire border, Farnham marks the official start of the North Downs Way with a large steel structure set beside a busy junction on the A31 a little west of the town's railway station. From the station walk downhill to the traffic lights (SU 844 466) and turn right. A tarmac footpath soon brings you to a narrow lane where you bear right. The lane is flanked by trees, and at a T-junction you turn right again on another metalled lane which becomes a pitted drive running alongside the River Wey, here a reedy, rather unimposing – but nonetheless pleasant – stream. At the entrance to The Kiln turn right to pass through a brick railway arch, where a footpath continues ahead between woodland and meadows. Across the meadows to the left High Mill House can be seen.