Canal Trust invites walkers for Poddle through Surrey

One of the highlights of the walk will be the new riverside path created by the Wey & Arun Canal Trust along the banks of the Cranleigh Waters in Shalford. This new path, built by volunteers, winds its way from Shalford towards Bramley and takes in part of what will be the new Hunt Nature Park.

The walk starts from the National Trust’s 18th century waterwheel, Shalford Mill, situated in the village of Shalford near Guildford.

The circular walk will cover 12 miles and includes refreshment points and a lunch stop before finishing at Shalford church. There is also an option for a shorter afternoon walk, starting from Shalford Church, for those that feel less energetic. This is aimed at families and will be 4 miles long and start from 2pm onwards.

The morning route will take walkers to the top of St Martha’s Hill before descending to the Downs Link in Blackheath and along the Cranleigh Waters back to Stonebridge in Shalford. After crossing the A281 there is a good view of Gun’s Mouth Island before the last section along the River Wey to Shalford church for lunch.

The afternoon walk is relatively flat and is much shorter, taking walkers through Shalford Park to the North Downs Way, then to Polsted Manor and back through Loseley Park to the Wey Navigation. The walk crosses the River Wey at St Catherine’s Lock.

Anyone wanting to join the longer walk, which will be signposted and with a map provided, should arrive between 9am and 10.30m. Walkers opting for the shorter route should arrive at the church between 1-2pm before setting out.

For more details about how to join the walk and raise money towards this registered charity, which is currently restoring the canal in Surrey and Sussex, please contact Margaret Darvill on 01483 894606 or email poddle@weyandarun.co.uk.

A downloadable sponsorship form is available from the WACT website www.weyandarun.co.uk. Walkers are asked to raise a minimum of £20. Other charities can also benefit from walkers joining the Poddle by entering as a team and pledging to raise more than £200. Any money raised by team entries will be split equally with a charity of the team’s choosing.

Report and picture contributed by The Wey & Arun Canal Trust.