St Martha's Hill, Shere, and Blackheath Common

This walk takes us out of Berkshire into the wonderful scenery of the Surrey Hills, taking in a section of the North Downs Way, the spectacularly-sited church of St Martha-on-the-Hill, open heathland, and potential for coffee, ice-cream and/or pub stops along the way!

We'll make our way out of Shalford along a section of the Wey Navigation, making the short ascent to the ruin of St Catherine's Chapel for our first expansive views. After descending, we'll then cross the river and join the North Downs Way, which we follow to St Martha’s Hill with its striking church and panoramic views, making a coffee/“elevenses” stop at a small farmyard café on the way.

From there we follow the North Downs Way as it dog-legs to the north to Albury Downs and Newlands Corner, where we’ll stop for our packed lunch (there are also toilets and a small kiosk here). After lunch, we continue on this route until we pick up the Fox Way past Silent Pool and into the picturesque village of Shere. There’s an excellent ice cream shop here if the weather is appropriate, and also a café and choice of two pubs for those who prefer, as well as public toilets – we’ll stop here for a short while to allow people to take advantage of any of these.

From Shere, we turn around for the return leg using parts of the Fox Way and Downs Link route, passing through Little London on our way to Blackheath Forest, which then gives way to the more open heathland of Blackheath Common, before making our way via Tangley back to our start point in Shalford – where there is the opportunity for further refreshment at the Queen Victoria pub if anyone wishes.

While most of the walk is on well-made paths, there are a few areas which are sandy or uneven, some short steep sections as well as gentler but more sustained ascents – please choose suitable footwear.