Hi, a printer paper saving "no photos" walk guide.
# With the Harrow PH behind you (as you stand facing the main road) turn left towards Pucks Oak Barn, which is adjacent to the pub. Carry on in the direction you were going, and you reach the entrance to St. Nicholas Church and the war memorial.
Have a look at this historic church, which is the UK's only church with a double chancel.
From the church entrance cross the road, and keep walking in the same direction. (There is no pavement past the church, hence crossing the road for safety).
There are a couple of interesting antique/rustic item shops just past the sign for the church car park.
Walk up the right-hand side of the road, until you see 'Eastbury Lane' on the opposite side. Cross the road and walk down the lane.
Be careful as there is no footpath and vans/lorries use this lane for deliveries to a nursing home. Keep following the lane.
Go past 'Westbury Manor' and where the tarmac ends walk ahead on to the footpath which winds round to left. Just around the corner the track forks into a bridlepath on the left, and you need to take the footpath on the right, (where there is a wooden signpost at the fork) uphill along the path.
Keep climbing and follow the path straight on, until you see a metal gate barring the way ahead, ignoring the stile to your right.
Go to the left of the gate and turn left. Don't go to the right as there is some pulled down barbed wire. Just follow the path, keeping to the left of the field
I hope you brought your camera, as the views from here of Compton village and the Surrey Hills beyond are superb. Continue keeping to the left, following the path straight on.
Walk towards the left of the large white plastic 'plant sheds' and the path snakes round a wire fence to the left . Keeping the fence on your right, until there is a clearing with a metal gate on the left and a post with a little yellow arrow on it to the left of that.
Follow the direction of the yellow arrow, a virtual 180 degree turn from previous direction, going into a woodland and heading downhill.
Be careful as this can be slippery and very uneven underfoot. Stones, rocks, fallen branches and various other fallen tree matter complicates things.
The path is easy to follow if not to walk upon. The direction is mostly downhill and slightly left until you see a lonely tree close by the fence and open fields to your right.
In the field to the left sometimes cattle can be seen sheltering under the tree or in the the open barn further on.
The track is between two fences, so easy to follow again.
There is a nice view when you get to the top of the slight hill.
At the bottom of this hill you arrive at the fork where you took the footpath to the right. The path goes between a bush and a purple leafed tree
At the end of the path above, turn right and retrace your steps back along Eastbury Lane.
Then turn right into The Street and head back towards 'The Harrow' on the left footpath, assuming you parked there and not Eastbury lane, of course. Cross over at St. Nicholas Church entrance or further on nearer the pub if you wish. #
And that concludes what I hope is a satisfying stroll. Use the photo guide in the following blog to get an idea of the lay of the land.
If you print the text between the hashmarks using the selection option, then it should be two pages. If you decide to print the photo guide, then it will be between 8 - 12 pages long.
Thanks for reading
Mr and Mrs G
Useful websites for the Compton/Surrey area;
www.compton-surrey.co.uk/#
www.theharrowcompton.com
www.stnicholas-compton.org.uk/history
www.loseleypark.co.uk/house
www.surreymaps.surreycc.gov.uk/public/viwer
www.surreyhills.org/home
www.visitsurrey.com
Recently opened after restoration;
www.wattsgallery.org.uk
www.wattsgallery.org.uk/watts-chapel
At Watts Gallery is a wonderful tearoom with a collection of unusual teapots. Take an afternoon cream tea after your stroll, you have earned it.
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