Short walks & ambles
I have been leading an ambling group for Milford U3A since September 2018. We meet once a month from September to June, weather permitting, so I have to find ten walks for each year. I usually find them when out walking with friends and family or on nature walks but I sometimes just look on the map for areas that look interesting to explore.
Here are links to maps and notes about many of the ambles on which I have taken my group and to other shorter walks that I have done.
None of these routes are more than four miles long.
U3A Ambles
2018/19 Season
- Witley
- River Wey from Artington
- Hankley Common North
- The Moat to Forked Pond (3.6m)
- Hankley Common East
- Tilford
- Farncombe Woods
- Compton Bluebell Woods (3.1m)
- Frensham Little Pond
2019/20 season
- Hydon Heath (3.8m)
- Puttenham Common (3.5m)
- Frensham Common (3.4m)
- Black Down (3m)
- Britty Wood (3.2m)
- Hankley Common, South (4m)
Other short walks
- Elstead to Gatwick (3.5m)
Maps and summaries, newest first
Frensham exploration - This was a shortish walk of four miles. We made our way up to the ridge between the two ponds at Frensham, around the big pond and across the heathland behind it. The paths are mostly quite dry and easy going.
Hambledon recce - A short 3 mile walk through a mixed landscape with some gentle hills and a view. It's usually not too muddy. The village shop serves great coffee (weekdays only, but may change)
Elstead to Gatwick - This 3.5 mile walk from Elstead Village Green takes you along the river, through fields and woodlands, to Gatwick. It returns back to the green via Somerset Bridge.
Hankley Common, South - This 4 mile walk, on the south end of Hankley common, includes the Atlantic Wall and the army parachute drop area.
Britty Wood - Starting from Puttenham Common Lower Car Park (at the Tarn), this 3.2 mile walk goes across Lower Puttenham Common to Britty Wood. 
Black Down Amble - This is a short circular walk of 3.1 miles, with lots of views, along the edge of the Black Down hillside. 
Frensham Common - This is a 3.4 mile walk across Frensham Common and past the bottom of the Devil's Jumps. 
Puttenham Common - This is a 3.5 mile walk from Puttenham Common middle car park via the General's Pond, upper car park, Gatwick and Cut Mill.
Hydon Heath and Greensand Way - This 3.8 mile walk over Hydon Heath and along the Greensand Way takes you through woods and across fields. It can get very muddy during the winter months.
Compton Bluebell Woods - Starting from opposite the Withies Inn, this 3.1 mile walk takes you through Bummoor Copse, where there is a glorious show of bluebells in the spring. The route then joins the North Downs Way to Loseley Park.
The Moat to Forked Pond - This 3.6 mile walk starts at The Moat and takes the boardwalks down onto Thursley Common and right across to Forked Pond before circling back.