Cycling in Surrey
21 hand-picked rides
Published on 9. February 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-1-80469-135-9 (ISBN)
Description
Bradt's new cycling guide to Surrey - part of a growing series designed for the saddle bag - offers 21 routes, each including comprehensive directions plus contextual exploration of history, wildlife and culture, written by avid cyclist and historian Ross Hamilton. Each route links to OS Explorer maps and, where relevant, National Cycle Network routes, while QR codes connect with downloadable GPX maps via the komoot app, enabling navigation by smartphone. With a dedicated bike-hire section (so you have an alternative if your bicycle isn't suitable for a particular ride) and accommodation suggestions, this book is an indispensable travel companion for two-wheeled adventures. Once a relatively sparsely populated and rustic area despite its proximity to London, present-day Surrey is prime commuter-belt territory. Even so, the county has not lost its rural charm. As well as boasting many Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it is England's most wooded county and is riddled with rivers including England's longest, the mighty Thames. Moreover, Surrey has a long connection with cycling. When the riding craze first hit Britain in the 1800s, the ride between the Surrey towns of Thames Ditton and Ripley was quickly dubbed the 'Mecca of all good cyclists'. Surrey roads once made up much of the annual RideLondon event, itself an extension of the 2012 Olympic road-cycling route. This handpicked selection of rides is perfect for a series of half-day outings. Many are looped circuits, and most begin and end at railway stations, making travel hassle-free. Most are aimed at beginners and leisure cyclists, while some offer adventurous riders a more challenging experience. So whether you fancy riding Surrey's numerous tree-cloaked country lanes or off-road networks, cycling between medieval churches, visiting Guildford Castle or Waverley Abbey on two wheels, doffing your helmet to a venerable yew tree, biking between nature reserves and vineyards, or having a drink at the UK's smallest pub, Surrey is a superb cycling destination with something for everyone. Bradt's Cycling in Surrey brims with inspiration for cyclists of all ages and energy levels.
Reviews / Votes
'I have cycled in Surrey for most of my life but nevertheless discovered places to ride that I wouldn't have thought of' - Cycle MagazineMore details
Person
Having spent much of his life in the saddle, Ross Hamilton has numerous bikes cluttering up the garage. These include a 1980s' Raleigh Pursuit which he used to ride to school - and which, decades later, he used to cycle from coast to coast, following the route of Hadrian's Wall. Hamilton has cycled all over southern England, from Kent to Cornwall. He completed RideLondon four years running to raise money for guide dogs and has also completed other famous rides such as the Nightrider (in London and Bristol) and the London to Brighton Cycle Ride. A former history teacher who also worked in the heritage sector and ran historical walking tours, Hamilton retains a particular fondness for his home county of Surrey, where he uses local knowledge and exploratory zeal to devise unusual routes taking in cyclist-friendly cafes, sites of historical interest and nature reserves.
Content
INTRODUCTION
CYCLING: THE ESSENTIALS
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
1 FRENSHAM LOOP
Start/end: Bentley Station (loop) Distance: 27.8km Time: 21/2hrs Difficulty: 1
Highlights: Common and heathland, taking in Frensham Common SSSI and Alice Holt Forest
2 FARNHAM TO GUILDFORD
Start/end: Farnham Station/Guildford Station Distance: 18.9km (+10.6km in 2 extensions) Time: 11/2hrs (+13/4hrs) Difficulty: 2 Highlights: Country lanes, pretty villages, historic churches and the exceptional Watts Cemetery Chapel; beautiful vistas on The Mount
3 MILFORD SURREY TO FARNHAM
Start/end: Milford Station/Farnham Station Distance: 33.5km (+4.5km in 2 extensions) Time: 3hrs (including both extensions) Difficulty: 2 Highlights: Historic churches, two medieval bridges, two SSSIs and beautiful Farnham
4 FRIMLEY TO ASH VALE
Start/end: Frimley Station/Ash Vale Station Distance: 29.3km (+2.9km extension) Time: 3hrs (+15mins) Difficulty: 2
Highlights: Ash Ranges Nature Reserve, Basingstoke Canal towpath, and farmland
5 SUNNINGDALE TO ADDLESTONE
Start/end: Sunningdale Station/Addlestone Station Distance: 31km Time: 21/2hrs Difficulty: 2 Highlights: Chobham Common SSSI, the historic village of Chobham, country roads and woodland, as well as the Basingstoke Canal and River Wey towpaths
6 WITLEY LOOP
Start/end: Witley Station (loop) Distance: 22.2km (+6.3km extension & 2km alt. route) Time: 2hrs (45mins extension & 10mins alt. route) Difficulty: 2 Highlights: Historic churches and inns, a 18th-century labourer's cottage and 16th-century Vann House
7 GUILDFORD CASTLE LOOP
Start/end: Castle Arch, Quarry Street, Guildford (loop) Distance: 14.5km (+4.3km in 2 extensions & 2.2km alt. route) Time: 11/2hrs (45mins extensions & 20mins alt. route) Difficulty: 1 Highlights: Chilworth Gunpowder Mills and Guildford Castle
8 CRANLEIGH DISUSED RAILWAY LOOP
Start/end: Chilworth Station (loop) Distance: 38.2km Time: 31/2hrs Difficulty: 2 Highlights: Blackheath Common SSSI, Winterfold Forest and a railway station that starred in some famous films
9 WEST BYFLEET LOOP
Start/end: West Byfeet Station (loop) Distance: 17.8km (+5.6km extension) Time: 2hrs (+30mins)
Difficulty: 2 Highlights: Ruined Newark Priory, the Elizabethan Summer House of John Donne, the historic village of Ripley, and the spectacular RHS Garden Wisley
10 WEST CLANDON TO EAST HORSLEY
Start/end: Clandon Station/Horsley Station Distance: 27.4km (+3.5km extension) Time: 21/2hrs (+30mins) Difficulty: 2 Highlights: Beautiful villages, peaceful countryside, challenging off-road routes and magnificent views of southern Surrey
11 EFFINGHAM JUNCTION LOOP
Start/end: Effingham Junction Station (loop) Distance: 19.9km (+5.3km extension) Time: 2hrs (+30mins) Difficulty: 2
Highlights: The last semaphore tower in England, William of Ockham's historic church, and the stunning Painshill Park
12 GOMSHALL LOOP
Start/end: Gomshall Station (loop) Distance: 20.8km (+5.6km extension) Time: 2hrs (+30mins) Difficulty: 2 Highlights: Holmbury Hill with its Iron Age fort, the ancient woodland of Abinger Roughs, and Tillingbourne Waterfall
13 HORSLEY TO EFFINGHAM JUNCTION
Start/end: Horsley Station/Effingham Junction Station Distance: 27.8km (+2.3km extension) Time: 23/4hrs (+10mins)
Difficulty: 2 Highlights: East Horsley, the Lovelace Bridges Trail, Denbies vineyard, Polesden Lacey and four spectacular views
14 OCKLEY TO HOLMWOOD
Start/end: Ockley Station/Holmwood Station Distance: 28.5km Time: 21/2hrs Difficulty: 2 Highlights: Leith Hill, the Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden, and some of Surrey's best country roads
15 BOX HILL AND WESTHUMBLE TO CLAYGATE
Start/end: Boxhill and Westhumble Station/Claygate Station Distance: 22.1km Time: 2hrs Difficulty: 1 Highlights: Headley village, Ashtead Common SSSI and the smallest pub in the UK
16 HOLMWOOD COMMON LOOP NORTH
Start/end: Holmwood Common (loop) Distance: 24.5km (+9.4km in 2 extensions) Time: 2hrs (+11/4hrs) Difficulty: 1 Highlights: Historic villages, ruined Betchworth Castle and the beautiful ancient woodland of Holmwood Common
17 HOLMWOOD COMMON LOOP SOUTH
Start/end: Holmwood Common (loop) Distance: 24.5km Time: 2hrs Difficulty: 1 Highlights: The old Newdigate Brickworks, Glover's Wood SSSI, historic Charlwood village, and the working Lowfield Heath Windmill
18 MERSTHAM LOOP
Start/end: Merstham Station (loop) Distance: 26.3km Time: 2hrs Difficulty: 2 Highlights: The wildlife-rich Spynes Mere Nature Reserve, the 17th-century Outwood Windmill, churches from the Norman era, and the historic villages of Outwood and Nutfield
19 LINGFIELD LOOP
Start/end: Lingfeld Station (loop)Distance: 22.2km Time: 2hrs Difficulty: 1 Highlights: The historic village of Lingfield with its 18th-century poachers' prison, the 1,500-year-old Crowhurst yew tree, and Haxted Watermill in Staffhurst Wood SSSI
20 WOLDINGHAM LOOP
Start/end: Woldingham Station (loop) Distance: 27.5km Time: 21/4hrs Difficulty: 2 Highlights: Stunning views from Botley Hill a
CYCLING: THE ESSENTIALS
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
1 FRENSHAM LOOP
Start/end: Bentley Station (loop) Distance: 27.8km Time: 21/2hrs Difficulty: 1
Highlights: Common and heathland, taking in Frensham Common SSSI and Alice Holt Forest
2 FARNHAM TO GUILDFORD
Start/end: Farnham Station/Guildford Station Distance: 18.9km (+10.6km in 2 extensions) Time: 11/2hrs (+13/4hrs) Difficulty: 2 Highlights: Country lanes, pretty villages, historic churches and the exceptional Watts Cemetery Chapel; beautiful vistas on The Mount
3 MILFORD SURREY TO FARNHAM
Start/end: Milford Station/Farnham Station Distance: 33.5km (+4.5km in 2 extensions) Time: 3hrs (including both extensions) Difficulty: 2 Highlights: Historic churches, two medieval bridges, two SSSIs and beautiful Farnham
4 FRIMLEY TO ASH VALE
Start/end: Frimley Station/Ash Vale Station Distance: 29.3km (+2.9km extension) Time: 3hrs (+15mins) Difficulty: 2
Highlights: Ash Ranges Nature Reserve, Basingstoke Canal towpath, and farmland
5 SUNNINGDALE TO ADDLESTONE
Start/end: Sunningdale Station/Addlestone Station Distance: 31km Time: 21/2hrs Difficulty: 2 Highlights: Chobham Common SSSI, the historic village of Chobham, country roads and woodland, as well as the Basingstoke Canal and River Wey towpaths
6 WITLEY LOOP
Start/end: Witley Station (loop) Distance: 22.2km (+6.3km extension & 2km alt. route) Time: 2hrs (45mins extension & 10mins alt. route) Difficulty: 2 Highlights: Historic churches and inns, a 18th-century labourer's cottage and 16th-century Vann House
7 GUILDFORD CASTLE LOOP
Start/end: Castle Arch, Quarry Street, Guildford (loop) Distance: 14.5km (+4.3km in 2 extensions & 2.2km alt. route) Time: 11/2hrs (45mins extensions & 20mins alt. route) Difficulty: 1 Highlights: Chilworth Gunpowder Mills and Guildford Castle
8 CRANLEIGH DISUSED RAILWAY LOOP
Start/end: Chilworth Station (loop) Distance: 38.2km Time: 31/2hrs Difficulty: 2 Highlights: Blackheath Common SSSI, Winterfold Forest and a railway station that starred in some famous films
9 WEST BYFLEET LOOP
Start/end: West Byfeet Station (loop) Distance: 17.8km (+5.6km extension) Time: 2hrs (+30mins)
Difficulty: 2 Highlights: Ruined Newark Priory, the Elizabethan Summer House of John Donne, the historic village of Ripley, and the spectacular RHS Garden Wisley
10 WEST CLANDON TO EAST HORSLEY
Start/end: Clandon Station/Horsley Station Distance: 27.4km (+3.5km extension) Time: 21/2hrs (+30mins) Difficulty: 2 Highlights: Beautiful villages, peaceful countryside, challenging off-road routes and magnificent views of southern Surrey
11 EFFINGHAM JUNCTION LOOP
Start/end: Effingham Junction Station (loop) Distance: 19.9km (+5.3km extension) Time: 2hrs (+30mins) Difficulty: 2
Highlights: The last semaphore tower in England, William of Ockham's historic church, and the stunning Painshill Park
12 GOMSHALL LOOP
Start/end: Gomshall Station (loop) Distance: 20.8km (+5.6km extension) Time: 2hrs (+30mins) Difficulty: 2 Highlights: Holmbury Hill with its Iron Age fort, the ancient woodland of Abinger Roughs, and Tillingbourne Waterfall
13 HORSLEY TO EFFINGHAM JUNCTION
Start/end: Horsley Station/Effingham Junction Station Distance: 27.8km (+2.3km extension) Time: 23/4hrs (+10mins)
Difficulty: 2 Highlights: East Horsley, the Lovelace Bridges Trail, Denbies vineyard, Polesden Lacey and four spectacular views
14 OCKLEY TO HOLMWOOD
Start/end: Ockley Station/Holmwood Station Distance: 28.5km Time: 21/2hrs Difficulty: 2 Highlights: Leith Hill, the Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden, and some of Surrey's best country roads
15 BOX HILL AND WESTHUMBLE TO CLAYGATE
Start/end: Boxhill and Westhumble Station/Claygate Station Distance: 22.1km Time: 2hrs Difficulty: 1 Highlights: Headley village, Ashtead Common SSSI and the smallest pub in the UK
16 HOLMWOOD COMMON LOOP NORTH
Start/end: Holmwood Common (loop) Distance: 24.5km (+9.4km in 2 extensions) Time: 2hrs (+11/4hrs) Difficulty: 1 Highlights: Historic villages, ruined Betchworth Castle and the beautiful ancient woodland of Holmwood Common
17 HOLMWOOD COMMON LOOP SOUTH
Start/end: Holmwood Common (loop) Distance: 24.5km Time: 2hrs Difficulty: 1 Highlights: The old Newdigate Brickworks, Glover's Wood SSSI, historic Charlwood village, and the working Lowfield Heath Windmill
18 MERSTHAM LOOP
Start/end: Merstham Station (loop) Distance: 26.3km Time: 2hrs Difficulty: 2 Highlights: The wildlife-rich Spynes Mere Nature Reserve, the 17th-century Outwood Windmill, churches from the Norman era, and the historic villages of Outwood and Nutfield
19 LINGFIELD LOOP
Start/end: Lingfeld Station (loop)Distance: 22.2km Time: 2hrs Difficulty: 1 Highlights: The historic village of Lingfield with its 18th-century poachers' prison, the 1,500-year-old Crowhurst yew tree, and Haxted Watermill in Staffhurst Wood SSSI
20 WOLDINGHAM LOOP
Start/end: Woldingham Station (loop) Distance: 27.5km Time: 21/4hrs Difficulty: 2 Highlights: Stunning views from Botley Hill a