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 03 is 2.8 miles long and takes you from Godalming to Milford railway station.
If you walked route 02 but did not have time to take in the shops and eclectic architecture of Godalming, now’s your opportunity. The walk passes along the town’s historic High Street before climbing to the hills above. The walk to Milford provides a first sight of the rolling fields and woodlands of the Surrey Hills.
There is a cafe at Godalming Station and you will find a good selection of cafes, pubs, and restaurants in the town.
Start and End
Godalming/Milford
Distance
2.7 miles
Time
1 hour 30 mins
Grade
3/10 - One short climb and a descent via irregular steps
Accessibility
Not push/wheelchair accessible
Upload the GPX file to your walking app
Walk Instructions
Leave the station by the Portsmouth bound platform (2). Turn right along Station Approach and continue into Mill Lane (unsigned).
At the end of Mill Lane continue forward across Station Road and through the gap in the brick wall ahead.
Pass through the courtyard in front of the pub and bear left along the High Street.
Bear right in front of Godalming’s iconic ‘Pepperpot’ (the Old Town Hall) and continue along the High Street (unsigned)
Just before the impressive porch of the Kings Arms and Royal Hotel (which juts out onto the pavement to your left) turn right up Queen Street.
At the top of Queen Street, go through the brick archway and cross the road at the light-controlled crossing.
On the far side of the road, turn immediately right to follow a short stretch of pavement which then bends left away from the busy road.
At the top of the path, turn right and then immediately left onto a steeply ascending, surfaced footpath (Butts Lane.)
Follow the path (it’s quite a steep ascent) to emerge on Summerhouse Road. Continue forward past the first turn on the left to the next junction by the entrance to the recreation ground.
Turn left into the recreation ground and immediately bear right along the access road.
At the end of the second car parking area, turn right through the narrow pedestrian exit and cross the road. Bear left and immediately right into Ramsden Road.
(There is a cafe with toilets just beyond the end of the car park.)Walk along Ramsden Road for about 100 yards. Next to the second lamp post on the left, turn left along the footpath.
At Oakdene Road bear slightly right along the road.
At the next junction, cross over to the entrance to Godalming College. (There are traffic islands on your right to help you cross if the roads are busy.)
The right of way follows the college drive and then continues along the gravel path behind the railings.
The path doglegs then emerges on Ashtead Lane. Turn right
Pass the entrance to Ladywell Convent and then, after about 80 yards, turn left along the footpath between the gate marked “Private Property” and the college playing fields.
Steps – At the time of testing the walk (April 2025), the steps at this point were badly eroded and parts of the handrail were missing. Some walkers may find them difficult to negotiate. The faults were reported immediately to Surrey County Council.
The path descends gently, then more steeply and finally down a flight of steps. Cross the stream and continue up the slope to Tuesley Lane (un-signed.) Turn right.
Ascend the hill passing a converted barn on your right. After another 20 yards, turn right between the 20mph signs into Leithfield Park Private Road. Then turn immediately right along the surfaced footpath.
Follow the surfaced path as it winds through the open space between the houses. Just before the road signed ‘Rowan Drive’, turn left to continue along the surfaced path.
Continue forward and down through trees onto an unsurfaced path. This merges with another path from the right.
Cross the stream and continue forward along the track with the fruit farm’s plastic tunnels to your left. Pass the golf course on your right and then bend left to Milford Station.
There are no facilities at Milford Station. The nearest cafe, pub and shops are about three quarters of a mile away in Milford village. Alternatively, start your return train trip and break your journey at Godalming or Haslemere where there are plenty of options.
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.