Walk This Way For A Stroll Or A Ramble During September

Published on: 3 Aug, 2022
Updated on: 3 Aug, 2022

Walkfest leaders Ben Carter (left) and Ken Bare (right) with a group of Walkers at Albury during 2021 Guildford Walkfest.

Guildford’s popular Walkfest is back again this September with a varied programme of walks throughout the month to help you explore your local area.

And the best news in these challenging financial times is that all walks are free!

Not only enabling walkers to improving their fitness, the festival aims to introduce new areas and special places people may not know about.

Some walks last all day and are designed for people already confident in this activity, while others are easy one- to two-mile strolls with a social coffee or optional lunch at the end.

And there are also walks designed for families with buggies or wheelchair users, while others are specifically designed as mental health walks.

Walking is recognised as one of the best ways to stay fit and healthy – both physically and mentally. But more than this, walking is just a fun thing to do and a great way to meet new friends.

Guildford Walkfest’s chairman Chris Howard said: “It is so nice to be able to explore new areas of the borough with an experienced guide so you can be sure of not getting lost!”

“The walks often end at a pub or a café for an optional drink or lunch. And Walkfest is about promoting these as much as it is about the walking itself.

“During the challenges of the last couple of years, much has been written about the importance of experiencing nature, but this festival is also about getting out and meeting new people.

“Humans are social creatures and everyone has become more aware of this since the pandemic. We all need to get back to meeting old friends or making new ones, and Walkfest is the perfect opportunity.”

Examples of this year’s Walkfest include: A morning walk around the Riverside Nature Reserve at Burpham and the Way Navigation on Wednesday, September 7, hosted by Guildford Ramblers.

Join the regular Guildford Health Walks programme for a walk around Worplesdon and Whitmoor Common on Tuesday, September 13.

The Surrey Hills Society is hosting a circular walk from Guildford town centre up to the Hog’s Back, downhill to the North Downs Way and back along the River Wey, taking in some lesser-known historical features, on Friday, September 16.

There is a gentle stroll around Stoke Park with Mental Health Mates on Saturday, September 17.

Guildford Town Guides have nine walks throughout the festival on a range of historical topics from kings, worthies and scoundrels, pubs and inns, to medieval and hidden Guildford.

A linear walk from Guildford to Witley on Saturday, September 24, follows the early 19th-century Royal Navy Semaphore Towers route to the site of the Bannacle Hill Semaphore, hosted by Guildford Ramblers.

A walk looking at the geology around St Martha’s Hill, Blackheath and Albury, is on Tuesday, September 27, led by Phil Banfield.

David Rose (left) leading a walk with a stop at Shalford Park in 2021 for Walkfest.

And on Friday, September 30, local historian and writer David Rose leads a walk to discover some of Guildford’s lesser known history including an ancient footpath to The Mount and Guildford’s medieval deer park.

The event is sponsored by Bevan Wilson Physiotherapy clinics, Surrey Hills Society, Experience Guildford and Guildford Borough Council.

There is at least one walk happening ever day throughout September. All the walks are free but need to be booked in advance via www.guildfordwalkfest.co.uk

For further information and assistance pop into the Guildford Tourist Office, based in Guildford House Gallery in the High Street.

Share This Post