Elstead Commons - Circular 02

by Martyn Sandford
2 years ago
Near Elstead, GB

17 views

Many of the tracks on these commons are well surfaced and remain walkable even after a period of rain. This is not true of all the paths, however. Some can become all but impassable. This walk is an attempt to 'stitch together' a sequence of paths that remain relatively dry.
It was tested in December 2021 after a night of heavy rain. There were large puddles in places but these could be skirted. In one location, water was flowing across the path but this was very shallow and did not come over the soles of our boots.
The walk starts at the green in Elstead where the 46 bus stops. This serves Guildford, Farncombe, Godalming and Farnham (all of which have rail stations) with an approximately hourly service, Monday to Saturday. There is no Sunday service. If you are arriving by car, parking in the centre of the village is limited so you may find it easier to park in one of the roads that form the first half-mile or so of the walk.
At the south side of the commons, the walk visits the ponds that were created to support the iron industry that operated here in the 17th and 18th centuries.
On returning to Elstead, there is a general store, two cafes, a couple of pubs and a fish and chip shop for refreshment.