Easy hikes and walks around Godalming

There’s now a fantastic cafe at the boat house, open Tuesday to Sunday, amazing coffee and sandwiches which can be enjoyed by the river, inside the cafe or to takeaway.

A little unique feature within the Surrey Hills the area is littered with reminders of the war.

Beautiful Broadwater Park's 73 acres (30 ha) boasts a lake, lovely woodland and swathes of open grass. Bring a picnic and don't forget to bring extra for the ducks. Public toilets can be found to the west of the lake.

This highlight has notable historical significance. It shows the place where the old Wey and Arun Canal started from on the River Wey. For several decades in the 19th century the Wey and Arun Canal was a vital trade link between the south coast and the River Thames and London. The Canal was 23-miles long and linked the rivers Wey and Arun between Shalford in Surrey and Pallingham in Sussex. Commercial trade on the Wey and Arun Canal reached a peak of 23,000 tons in 1839. However, with the establishment of the railways canal trade traffic started to decrease and had virtually stopped by 1868. Although no longer looking at its best the start of the old Canal is still evident 150 years after most canal traffic ceased. Restoration of the Wey and Arun Canal is underway and it is planned that “London’s lost route to the sea” will eventually be reopened.

The River Wey is one of Surrey’s best kept secrets. Many are surprised by the rural tranquility of the river and by its scenic views, open spaces and wildlife. The prettiest part of the River Wey is arguably that between Godalming and Guildford, and in particular the 0.65-mile river section between Trowers Footbridge, Farncombe, and the Tilthams Corner Road. Here the meandering Wey offers a different rural view around each corner. It is a delight to walk on a well-maintained footpath and to observe the tranquil and interesting river and its scenic surroundings. In summer, the canopies from nearby trees add to the river’s beauty. If you are fortunate, you may see a brightly coloured narrowboat either moored or passing by. If you are interested in history, you may wish to study the lovely brick-built Towers bridge that dates from about 1770, and the well-maintained World War II pillbox situated 25m from the river just south of Tilthams Corner Road.

The beautiful River Wey passes under a former railway bridge just south of Shalford. This is where the Guildford to Horsham single-track railway line ran between 1865 and 1965. The original railway bridge was removed soon after the old railway line closed. However, the bridge abutments remained and were used to support a new bridge for long-distance walkers and cyclists that opened in July 2006. The new bridge - called the Unstead Woods Downslink Bridge - forms part of the Downs Link, a 37-mile (59 km) long footpath and cycle route between Guildford and Shoreham. It is delightful to walk under/over this bridge, to admire the surrounding scenery, and to imagine the scene a century ago when steam trains used to cross the former bridge.

Farncombe Boat House at Godalming is situated next to Catteshall Lock on an ‘island’ between the River Wey Navigation and the River Wey. The scenic Boat House offers narrowboat hires between March and the end of October for cruising on the River Wey and upstream on the River Thames. Narrowboats are a great way to explore the surprisingly rural and stunning Surrey landscape along the River Wey. If you are hiking, cycling or running it is always a delight to see these brightly-coloured boats cruising along the Wey and to observe them negotiating the beautiful river locks!

A rope swing sits above the flowing River Wey just next to Lower Eashing Bridge in the hamlet of Eashing. This is a lovely spot for a dip on a warm summer's afternoon, so bring your swimmers and enjoy.