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Walking the North Downs Way [part two]
Stage 2, Guildford to Gomshall
(Photos/words © urban75, Sunday 13th February, 2011)
Nursing hangovers from the previous evening's pub action and looking with a heavy heart at the pouring rain outside, the urban75 walking gang quickly got back into the swing of things as we continued our weekend strut.
We spent the previous evening drinking in Rogue's Bar which has a huge garden and a DJ providing songs of quite awesome cheesiness.
Entrance to old Constitutional Hall, Guildford, now painted in a jaunty pink.
Built in 1886 for the Conservative Party in Guildford, it could accommodate 400 people before becoming one of the country's first 100 cinemas. It later served as
Thorpe's Bookshop, a shop called 'Just Add Water' and now looks rather boarded up.
Walking through Guildford.
Another look at the Guildhall.
Guildhall High Street in the rain
'The Surrey Scholar' statue. Unveiled in 2002, it commemorates Guildford's famous old Royal Grammar School. Note the added 'anarchy' symbol.
Through the rain soaked streets of Guildford and on with the walk!
Along the River Wey.
Through Chantry Wood
Horese riders coming through Chantry Wood.
Approaching St Martha's Church.
Also known as St Martha-on-the-Hill, St Martha's Church is only accessible by foot and lies on the Pilgrims' Way.
Parts of the structure date from the 12th century and its location on top of a hill suggests that it may have originally served as a landmark or beacon to assist travellers.
Old door detail, St Martha's Church.
The view from the church, looking over the damp valley.
The rain was pretty much relentless!
Old WW2 pillar box defence.
Keeper's cottage.
Checking directions.
With the rain continuing and some 'waterproof' jackets failing to live up to their promise, we decided to abandon the original plan to walk the 15 miles to
Westhumble and instead stop off at Gomshall (making the walk a more modest 8 mile one).
Across a muddy field.
Into Gomshall in time to dry out and grab a pint in the Compasses Inn.
Local ale - oh yes!
Heading home!
« Walks home Farnham to Guildford [part one]»
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Guildford-Gomshall
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