This is the first of (hopefully) a guide to four walks and one bike ride using bridlepaths and public highways, in and around the area of Compton village in Surrey.
We will use written directions coupled with photographs to show which way to go, as this will be in our opinion easier to follow. I will try and describe the terrain and conditions underfoot, but the photo's should give a general view of the footpaths. We would take a rainmac, water, floppy hat and in our case wellies for wet weather or muddy conditions. An excellent resource is Surrey Councils online 'rights of way' interactive map. this shows footpaths, bridleways, byways and also shows contour lines to judge how hilly the terrain is.
http://surreymaps.surreycc.gov.uk/public/viewer
On the right hand side is a list of 'layers', click on 'Roads and Transport', and then click 'footpaths'. At the top of the list is 'refresh map' click that to add the footpaths to the map. When zooming in and out of the map,wait for the map to load before you click again, it can be a bit slow to process information.
This walk starts and finishes at 'The Harrow' PH, a nice place to have a drink or snack. If you want to make the walk a little shorter, start and finish in Eastbury Lane instead. This walk should take less than an hour if you choose not to detour to St Nicholas Church.
http://theharrowcompton.com/
http://theharrowcompton.com/harrow-menus/
At The Harrow car park entrance turn left, and adjacent to the pub is Pucks Oak Barn and the McAlmont orchard.
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 the 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 as before. (There is no pavement past the church, as shown in photo below) There are a couple of interesting antique/rustic item shops just past the sign for the church car park.
Walk up the righthand side of the road, until on the opposite side you see 'Eastbury Lane'. 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. The 'trade' entrance to which is on the left in the picture below.
Go past 'Westbury Manor' and where the tarmac ends go ahead on to the footpath which winds round to left.
Just around the corner the track forks into a bridlepath on the left, and a footpath to the right. Turn right and uphill along the footpath.
Keep climbing 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.
Go straight on towards the large white plastic 'plant sheds' and the path snakes round a wire fence to the left.
Keep going along the fence 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. (Unfortunately not in the photo below, but it is there, honest. Just look at the photo below the photo below. lol)
To the left is the route to take, a virtual 180 degree turn, this photo shows it more clearly. taken looking back at the way you came.
I know it looks like a dark tunnel, but it is just a woodland path. Head down the deep, dark, dank, dreary (not really) path. Be careful as this can be slippery and very uneven underfoot. Stones, rocks, fallen branches and various other fallen tree matter complicates matters even further.
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. The photo's does not do it justice as usual.
Looking back where you have walked.
At the bottom of this hill you arrive at the fork where you took the footpath to the right. (In the distance by the bush and under the purple leafed tree you can just make out the wooden sign)
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' assuming you parked there and not Eastbury lane, of course.
And that concludes what I hope is a satisfying stroll.
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