Guildford Walkfest 2026 is all Set To Go Throughout September

Published on: 26 Aug, 2026
Updated on: 26 Aug, 2026

Guildford Walkfest returns this September for its 21st year with, once again, free walks for all ages and abilities and on a wide range of themes.

Here is a pick of some of the walks taking place during the month.

The official launch of this year’s festival takes place on Tuesday, September 1, at 10am at Mandira’s Kitchen, Silent Pool, Albury.

There will be free refreshments before a two-hour walk exploring Albury and Shere. Book via Events at www.surreyhillssociety.org

Go on a walk around the countryside at Send on Tuesday, September 2.

On Tuesday, September 2, Join Clive Woodland on this mostly flat ramble taking you through marsh fields, along the Wey Navigation towpath and on woodland, meadow and lakeside paths in the village of Send.

No need to book. Starts at 10am, meet at Send Evangelical Church, Broadmead Road, Send GU23 7AD.

One of Guildford Health Walk group’s numerous walks for the festival is on Friday, September 4. Meet at 10.45am for 11am start at the Jolly Farmer pub car park, Burdenshott Road GU3 3RN, for a walk around Whitmoor Common.

Click here for details on all the group’s healthy walks.

On Sunday, September 6, Explore the Riverside Nature Reserve near Stoke and Burpham.

The Second World War “dragon’s teeth”anti-tank blocks in the woodland behind the Spectrum leisure complex, Stoke Park.

This walk, which starts at 10am, takes you by some amazing hidden surprises including one of the largest intact Second World War “Dragon’s Teeth” defence lines, a lake, the remains of Guildford’s ancient forest and an explore down the River Wey towpath.

Book via Surrey Hills Society’s website: www.surreyhillssociety.org or email to: info@surreyhillssociety.org

Cattle grazing on Whitmoor Common. Picture by Malcolm Fincham.

Join the Muddy Boots walking group for its regular 2 to 3-mile walk over Whitmoor Common, Worplesdon on Monday, September 7.

Meet for a 10am start at Queen Elizabeth Park Baptist Centre, Railton Road, Stoughton, Guildford GU2 9LX.

Join Guildford Ramblers with a walk up Holmbury Hill on Wednesday, September 9, starting at 10.10am. Meet at Hurtwood Car Park number nine, Felbury House, Shere RH5 6NL.

The walk is a five-mile circular through light woodland rising slowly to the top of Holmbury Hill, where there will be a stop to see the view and have a coffee break. Then walk back to the start point on a different route through the village of Holmbury St Mary.

On Sunday, September 13, join Guildford Ramblers for a walk around Broad Street Common and Wood Street Village.

This is a fairly flat 4 to 5-mile walk across commons and through woods and fields.

Meet at 10am at the Cricketers pub, Aldershot Road, Guildford GU3 3AA.

Also on Sunday, September 13, How Railways Killed a Canal.

Discover the amazing work being done by volunteers to restore the Wey & Arun Canal.

Starts at 2.30pm; meet Shalford’s Trunley Heath lay-by.

Click here to book on the Wey & Arun Canal Trust’s website.

The historic West Horsley Place.

A walk titled West Horsley without the Hills takes place on Friday, September 18.

Join the president of the Surrey Hills Society for this 7km walk around the grounds of historic West Horsley Place and beyond. Refreshments or lunch afterwards at the café at West Horsley Place. Starts at 10am.

Book: www.surreyhillssociety.org

Step out on the Walk on the Wildside on Saturday, September 19.

Saturday, September 19, A Walk on the Wildside.

This is a partnership event with the rangers at the Blackwater Valley countryside partnership, The Land Trust and Surrey Young Ramblers to showcase the best the Surrey countryside can offer.

Everyone of all ages welcome on this circular walk of 11 miles.

Meet at 10.15am at South Lane car park, South Lane, Ash GU12 6NG.

Book at https://surreyyoungwalkers.org.uk

There’s history galore told on walks led by the Guildford Town Guides.

Throughout the month the Guildford Town Guides offer a number of fascinating walks looking at Guildford’s history in the town centre.

They include: Alan Turing Walk, the Guildford Story, Hidden Guildford, Law and Disorder, Guildford Pubs and Inns, Fake or Fortune, Pottage and Pasta and Medieval Guildford.

More details and to book at Guildford Town Guides.

You may not see a steam train on the Shalford walk, but you’ll hear some fascinating railway history on what is today’s North Downs Line. Photo by Ray Slack.

Local historian David Rose’s walk for this year’s Walkfest is titled Walk around Shalford and some railway history too.

It takes place on Friday, September 25, with a 10.30am start. David will be joined by Sara Grisewood, from the Southeast Community Rail Partnership.

During this two and a half hour walk you’ll hear some local facts (including passing the house where musician Phil Collins once lived) and some railway history while enjoying views of the Chantries and surrounding countryside.

Book to go on the walk by emailing Sara Grisewood at sara@southeastcrp.org.

There is also the option for free rail travel to Shalford railway station by also emailing Sara at sara@southeastcrp.org.

Otherwise there’s car parking nearby.

Meet at Shalford railway station, Station Road, Shalford GU4 8LE.