All Ready For Guildford Walkfest 2019 – So Grab A Free Brochure Now!

Published on: 25 Jul, 2019
Updated on: 25 Jul, 2019

Guildford’s annual free walking festival is shaping up nicely with plenty of walks for both experienced ramblers and those who enjoy an occasional stroll.

At the Mandolay Hotel launching the free brochure for Guildford Walkfest 2019.

This year is the 13th Guildford Walkfest and for the first time a free brochure is available, launched this week ahead of the event that runs throughout September and into early October.

Just some of the walks this year include: Exploring Guildford’s Famous Stoke Park on Sunday, September 1, led by the Surrey Hills Society; Birdwatch at the Riverside Park on Thursday, September 5, led by the Guildford & District group of the RSPB; and Evening Views From Ranmore on Saturday, September 7, led by the Surrey branch of the Long Distance Walkers Association.

On Saturday, September 15, the National Trust’s River Wey and Godalming Navigations is hosting a World War II circular walk starting from Dapdune Wharf in Guildford. Led by its Stoke lengthsman Richard Cant, he will be joined by NT volunteer Malcolm Watson and local historian and writer David Rose, revealing existing wartime features and adding stories and details.

Not only will there be a number of history walks led by the Guildford Town Guides, there will be walks throughout the borough, including at Ash Vale, Ripley, Send, Worplesdon and Pirbright, as well as further afield.

Guildford Walkfest and the Surrey Hills Society are this year supporting the Guildford charity Street Angels. On Friday and Saturday nights in the town centre its volunteers are a calming presence, giving practical care and support, working in partnership with the other services to enable people to get home safely.

On Saturday, September 28, there will be a Street Angels sponsored walk from Guildford to Dorking.

Street Angels is run by the Guildford Town Centre Chaplaincy. Town chaplain, the Revd Noelle Coe, said: “We are really looking forward to this spectacular walk, which is open to all.

“We would particularly like to invite people to join us who will be able to raise sponsorship to support the valuable work of Guildford’s Street Angels, and if anyone wishes to join me, in wearing ‘angel wings’ for the 13-mile walk, we would love to hear from them too.

“We hope to have a “Host of Angels” treading this ancient path, and a few surprises along the way, including handing out lollipops to those we meet en route!”

The cover of the Guildford Walkfest 2019 brochure.

The brochure was launched on Monday (July 22) at the Mondolay Hotel in Guildford. Members of the festival organising committee, sponsors and walk leaders were joined by councillors and the Mayor of Guildford, Richard Billington.

The mayor spoke about the positives of walking, providing excellent health and wellbeing in the community. He said the festival is a brilliant idea and that people of all ages can take part.

He pointed out that walking in woodland, of which there is plenty in the local area, has been recognised as good for people’s mental health. He added that there is a real need to look after our woodland especially due to the threat of disease to trees, such as ash dieback.

He thanked Guildford Walkfest’s main sponsors: Surrey Hills Society, Bevan Wilson Physiotherapy, Experience Guildford and the borough council, and all those who will be leading walks during the festival.

Look out for the free brochure at outlets throughout the borough including the Guildford Tourist Information centre in the High Street.

Details of all the walks can also be found on the Guildford Walkfest website.

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