Description
The Hills to Harbour Trail is a series of self-guided walking routes that link the stations along the railway line between Guildford and Portsmouth. You can walk between any pair of stations.
Walk 02 is 1.9 miles long and takes you from Farncombe to Godalming railway station.
Follow the Godalming Navigation which opened in 1764 and is an early example of a river improved for navigation. If you are lucky, you may see a narrow boat pass through the lock at Catteshall. Your destination is Godalming with its quaint streets and history to discover.
There is a cafe on Farncombe Station and you will find shops and a further cafe in the village. Godalming boasts a good choice of cafes, pubs, and restaurants.
Start and End
Francombe/Godalming
Distance
1.9 miles
Time
1 hour
Grade
2/10 - Flat. Loose sand in places
Accessibility
Not push/wheelchair accessible
Upload the GPX file to your walking app
Walk Instructions
- Leave the station via the Portsmouth bound platform 2 and walk forward along the station access road.
- At the end of the station access road, cross the road and bear to your right to fork left into St John’s Street.
- Opposite The Coop supermarket, turn left onto the footpath by the church (Church Walk – un-signed.)
- Go through the tunnel ahead through Bowring House and continue forward to the road.
- Cross The Oval/Fern Road and continue forward along the footpath.
- At the main road (Meadrow) cross over and continue forward along Catteshall Road. (There is a light-controlled crossing slightly to your right to help you cross.)
- At the small stream, cross the road to continue along the pavement for about 130 yards to the Godalming Navigation.
- At the navigation, turn right over the road and through a metal pedestrian gate to follow the towpath past the lock.
- Follow the towpath for about two-thirds of a mile and continue forward beside the church (Godalming United Church).
- At the main road, turn sharp left to almost double back on yourself and cross the Town Bridge.
- At the roundabout, turn right to cross the road heading towards the library.
(There is a refuge to help but the road can be very busy here. If you are nervous about crossing, you can detour about 100 yards to your left to the light-controlled crossing and then double back to the entrance to the library.) - Once across the road continue forward towards the library but turn immediately to your right, just before the library fence, to follow the riverside path.
- Refreshments (Godalming town is close by. There are many cafes, pubs, and restaurants to choose from in the town. You will find seats along the riverside and in the town if you simply wish to rest for a while.)
- Continue along the riverside path.
(You are passing through the Phillips Memorial Park, named after Jack Phillips, the wireless operator aboard the Titanic, who stayed at his post as the ship sank in 1912. The town built a special cloister in his memory which you will find on your right as you approach the far side of the park.)
Just past the cloister, turn left (Borough Road) and immediately left again towards the church, - Pass through the churchyard bearing right to skirt round the far end of the church.
- Go forward along the left-hand pavement for about 40 yards then cross right and turn into the alleyway at the entrance to Westbrook Road.
- At the end of the alleyway, continue forward up the slope to Godalming Station.
Safe Walking
Walking is a sociable activity so travel with someone else if you can. It’s also best for safety. Follow the usual walking guidelines about clothing, footwear, drinks, food, and first aid kit. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back
Refreshments
Many stations have opportunities nearby for refreshments when you arrive. The towns have cafes and pubs, and there are some along the route as well. They may have more restricted opening than those in London, particularly for serving food, so check websites for opening times when planning.
Reporting footpath issues
The Hills to Harbour Trail crosses three counties, all of which have good, on-line facilities for reporting rights of way issues. If you find something that needs fixing, please report it on the appropriate webpage.
Search for “report rights of way” followed by the county name.