Newlands Corner and Silent Pool
Children will enjoy the natural play area, the art installation and looking for wildlife at the pool on this walk.
Beautiful views of the Surrey Hills
The Basics
Time: 2 hours
Distance: 5.28 km
Terrain: One steep incline, one busy road crossing, some kissing gates and a stile
Pushchair: The main route connecting Newlands Corner to Silent Pool would not be suitable for pushchairs but there are some alternatives that are. The first is a short 30 minute marked walk around the woodland at Newlands Corner. The second is a linear walk along the North Downs Way starting on the opposite side of the road to the car park entrance. This section of the path is straight and even and you could walk to the viewpoint and beyond.
Dogs: Yes
Refreshments: Newlands Café or The Plucky Pheasant, both beside the car park at Newlands Corner or Mandira’s Kitchen at Silent Pool
Toilets: Yes, beside the play area
Public Transport: The bus route 25 operates from Guildford around every 2 hours.
Parking: Large, free car park (Postcode: GU4 8SE - W3W: just/renew/assure)
Optohedron - one of Surrey Hills Inspiring Views viewpoints
Near Guildford, this popular beauty spot has plenty to offer the whole family from a variety of long and short trails, a Discovery Centre, natural play area, café, toilets, views, picnic benches, art installation and even a nearby gin distillery!
The Route
From the car park, head in the direction of the road. Just before the road, look for the path on your right. Take the one heading away from the car park and forking away from the road, and not the smaller path that is parallel to the road. This stony path will gradually lead you downhill with wonderful views to your right. Keep going on the same track, ignoring any other paths, until it becomes a surfaced lane. Still continue until you reach a point where there is a wider footpath signed on your left and a thin, steep footpath signed just ahead to your right. Take the left path.
Pass the green garages of Water Lane Cottages before the path narrows between weeds and the main road is visible away to your left. Follow the sandy path, passing a large oak tree on your left and then go under a tree that has fallen across the path. Continue straight past Timbercroft Cottage, that stands alone in the woodland.
Just past the cottage, the path forks right where it meets a private access drive. At this point, there is an option to take a short climb up to a viewpoint via a permissive path. This is not a long diversion and the views are worth it.
Back on the path, continue past a sawmill on the left and then the entrance to Suez on your right. Keep straight and go through a little copse before going over a stile into a field with a line of trees on your right. Soon pass through a kissing gate and cross over a little stream before going through another kissing gate to the road beyond.
Cars come fast along this route, so cross with care and turn left by the attractive church to walk up the path parallel to the road but with a hedge between. At the top of this road, you will meet the busy A25. There are a series of traffic islands meaning you can make it safely across to the other side before turning right and following the pavement to take you to the car park for Silent Pool.
Follow the footpath away from the road and pass by the first pond on your right. This could be our first ever walk with a gin distillery on the route and you can arrange a visit if you fancy! Keep going to the greener waters of Silent Pool before taking the little steps on your left at the edge of the pool. The steps will take you up to a path that will climb steeply up to meet The North Downs Way. There are a few little clearings on the way up where children might want to stop and play around the trees to rest.
When you reach the top of the hill, and the intersection with the North Downs Way, turn left and follow this in a straight, flat and even manner all the way back to the A25 and the crossing to the car park on the other side. A couple of hundred metres before the crossing, look out for a viewpoint on your left where you will spot the artwork ‘Optohedron’. Created by artist Will Nash, this distinct sculptural seat is the latest addition to a Surrey Hills Arts project titled ‘Inspiring Views’.
If you don’t want to do such a long walk, there are couple of easy, short and well marked trails through the woodland starting from behind the play area/toilets. The paths are flat, wide and well maintained. A recent addition to these trails is the short boardwalk and information boards taking you around some ancient yew trees.
Did you know?
In December 1926, Newlands Corner became the location for the mysterious disappearance of crime writer Agatha Christie. Her abandoned car was found here, triggering a huge search that included the dredging of Silent Pool. She was eventually found alive and wall at hotel in Harrogate, prompting some to say that the whole thing was a publicity stunt…
