Bentley Circular, 25 Jan
Train Times: Please note the train is almost 30 minutes earlier than on the original walk’s programme and involves a change of trains at Woking, due to works on the line. The new times are: Waterloo 8.26, change at Woking (arrive 9.20, depart 9.30), arr Bentley 10.02
Lunch: Please bring a picnic lunch because the usual pub for lunch is closed temporarily and there is no alternative close enough to reach at lunchtime.
Summary of Walk: The walk is through gently undulating countryside with some beautiful views, mostly crossing fields, with some woods and a couple of picturesque crossings of the River Wey. There is also some walking on country lanes.
We visit some historic churches, one of which has the grave of Field Marshal Montgomery in its churchyard.
There is one longish uphill section and also a shorter section down a country lane to the river and then up the other side of the valley. Both of these 2 sections are in the morning.
On the recce last week, conditions were muddy underfoot in many places, but all were passable.
Dropout Points: There is the option of dropping out shortly before our lunchtime stop. This dropout involves catching the no. 65 bus, which leaves at 12.51 or 13.51 to Farnham (14 minutes), where it is a 10 minute walk from the bus stop to the train station. Farnham is the stop after Bentley on the railway line to Waterloo, so a return ticket to Bentley is valid from Farnham.
Hazards: There is a need to cross the very busy A31 at one point. Also, the country lanes are usually quiet, but they are often narrow with bends that obscure oncoming traffic. It is crucial that you follow the leader’s guidance on the day about walking those sections.
A walking pole/stick or two will be useful for the muddy sections.
There are 3 stiles (one in the morning, two in the afternoon).
Leader Terry