Oxshott to Claygate
4 April. The weather on this Easter Saturday turned out to be pretty good for walking; a little overcast, with a brief period of fine drizzle but the sun broke through a couple of times. Thirteen walkers started and completed the walk.
The first short steepish climb came at the start up to the war memorial on Oxshott Heath, but from there a flatish meander through the woods, navigation greatly helped by the well defined path that has been put in place since the very first time we walked it and got a bit lost!
Shortly after crossing the A3 by West Bridge, we arrived at Black Pond for a drink stop and then proceeded to cross the A307 next to the National Trust’s Homewood, a Modernist style villa designed by Patrick Gwynne for his family and lived in by him until his death in 2003. We then headed gradually uphill through Winterdown Wood before descending to the River Mole, where we saw lots of yellow aconites and just a few bluebells.
A flight of steep steps brought us to West End Common and shortly to our lunch stop at West End Village with a choice of garden centre, pub or benches by the picturesque pond on the green.
After a leisurely lunch we walked along the other side of the common, through Horseshoe Clump and up to The Ledges above the River Mole where we had previously been walking below.
Another crossing of the A307 took us back to the sandy Esher Common and under the 275,000 volt National Grid transmission line. Leaving this we walked on a ridge above Black Pond, with the wind swaying the tall scots pines, before descending to cross the narrow but fast and busy A244, Copsem Lane; luckily, one of the drivers clearly noticed our group and stopped to allow us to cross.
We were now in Arbrook Common where we passed a Coal and Wine tax post, built in the 1860s on all roads and byways where they crossed into the Metropolitan Police District. According to the Elmbridge Borough Council (soon to be no more) leaflet the taxes went to the City of London Corporation for ‘the upkeep of the orphan children of London citizens’ but was discontinued in the 1890s.
Leaving Arbrook Common, the path crossed between fields to reach Claygate and a short stretch of urbanisation before the Parade at the end of which is Claygate Station. Here there was some disappointment that the tiny Brightwater Brewery outlet, called Platform Three, was closed, with no indication of opening times. However, those who remained for refreshment found a very nice café with delicious cakes and ice cream.
PS While the walk leaders were making their way back to the station car park the brewery owner drove up, apparently late due to a family issue. So in case of wanting to try the ale, he usually aims to open at three!
Linda. With thanks to Christine M and Mary-Jane for photos.
