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

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The River Wey on the southern edge of Guildford

GUILDFORD

The county town of Surrey, Guildford has a conspicuous red-brick 20th-century cathedral which overlooks the nearby University of Surrey, and the keep of a Norman castle built on the east side of the river. In the High Street stands a group of 17th-century almshouses and a very fine Guildhall with a famous clock overhanging the road, while the Angel Hotel boasts a wooden gallery and a coaching yard. In the Middle Ages Guildford prospered through the wool trade, but when that trade began to decline it was replaced by the opening of the River Wey Navigation in the 17th century. Today the town is largely divided by the A3, and spills east and west into the surrounding countryside, but its heart is graced by the River Wey which hints at a rural atmosphere. The town has all facilities, including B&B and hotel accommodation (www.guildford.gov.uk or www.guildfordcommunity.org.uk).

STAGE 2

Guildford to the Mole Valley (A24)

Start Guildford Finish the Mole Valley (A24) Distance 13 miles (21km) Maps Harveys North Downs Way West 1:40,000 OS Landranger 186 Aldershot & Guildford and 187 Dorking, Reigate & Crawley 1:50,000 OS Explorer 145 Guildford & Farnham and 146 Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate 1:25,000 Refreshments Newlands Corner Accommodation Albury (+ 1 mile), Shere (+ 1 mile), Gomshall (+ 1 mile), Tanners Hatch Youth Hostel (+ ¾ mile), Ranmore Common, Dorking (+ 1 mile)

This stage is more strenuous than the first, for almost as soon as Guildford is left behind the North Downs Way makes the ascent of sandy St Martha's Hill, a splendid viewpoint from which, it is claimed, six counties can be seen. The way crosses the hill and descends north before climbing onto the Downs proper and reaching another noted viewpoint at Newlands Corner. Thereafter the eastward trend resumes along the crest of the Downs, much of it through woodland, but emerging now and then to gain a wide panorama. At the end of the day the path slopes down to the Mole Valley above Dorking, passing a large vineyard and with Box Hill looming ahead as the next obstacle to be crossed at the beginning of the next stage of the walk.