Hydon's Ball to Winkworth Arboretum circular walk

Surrey

The tall conifers of Hydon's Ball stand out across the fields | © National Trust/Chris Worsley

Take a tranquil walk along old paths through woodland and fields with views over the south Surrey hills. Stop off at Winkworth Arboretum to stroll through the glades, wander around the lake and stop for a drink and a bite to eat at the tea-room before continuing back to Hydon's Ball.

Near to

Hydon's Ball and Heath

Start point

National Trust car park, Salt Lane, Godalming, Surrey, GU8 4BB. Grid ref: SU978402

Address
National Trust car park, Salt Lane, Godalming, Surrey, GU8 4BB.
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Godalming station, then Stagecoach 503 bus.
Cycling
Take B2130 (Brighton Road) from Godalming and head south; at Busbridge turn right onto the Hambledon Road and then right down Clock Barn Lane and onto Salt Lane.
Sustrans website
By bus
Stagecoach 503, Hambledon–Guildford (restricted service), alight at Hydstile crossroads and walk down Salt Lane.
On foot
Walk from the Hydestile crossroad and down Salt Lane.
By road
Take B2130 (Brighton Road) from Godalming and head south; at Busbridge turn right onto the Hambledon Road and then right down Clock Barn Lane and onto Salt Lane.
Dogs
Dogs welcome under close control along the route of the trail. Dogs on short leads welcome in Winkworth Arboretum.
Car park
Car park at Salt Lane, Godalming, where this trail begins.
Toilet
At Winkworth Arboretum. Located behind welcome kiosk, including an accessible toilet.
Tea-room
Arbor Tea-room at Winkworth Arboretum, serving hot and cold drinks, sweet treats and light lunches. Indoor and outdoor seating available.
Total stages: 7
Total stages: 7
Start point
National Trust car park, Salt Lane, Godalming, Surrey, GU8 4BB. Grid ref: SU978402
Stage 1
Start in the car park at Hydon's Ball and Heath. Take the track that is at the back of the information board which leads to the road. Cross over the road and take the track turning down the hard core path. You'll be walking through tall conifers and birches. At the point where the path bends round to the left bear right, leaving the track and taking the straight bridle path on your right up through the trees along Juniper Valley. The path bends to the right and then left and you descend to reach a secret valley in the wood.
Stage 2
Cross the valley and follow the sandy path up the hill. This is a holloway with steep banks and hazel trees on either side, which open out to fields as you approach South Munstead Farm. At the farm you come out onto a track. Go straight ahead and in about 30 yards (27 metres) you'll come to a T-junction by some houses. Turn right and follow the short road to meet the main road opposite Winkworth Arboretum.
Stage 3
If you wish to explore Winkworth Arboretum, follow the paths through the car park to the visitor centre. Alternatively, continue along a public footpath from the car park south beside a panelled fence and along the edge of the arboretum. There are views to your left through the trees to the landscape beyond. The path ends at a T-junction with the road. Cross the road to the right and walk to the bend. Here turn left and take the bridle path immediately to your left along a straight tarmac track.
Stage 4
Follow the road all the way along, ignoring a bridle path to your left. The houses give way to countryside and you will get some lovely views to your right. At the house called Deer's Leap the tarmac becomes an earthy footpath which descends to a road. Cross over the lane and follow the bridleway up to your left alongside fields to your right and woodland to your left. From here you can see the towering conifers planted on the top of Hydon's Ball to your right. The path will go into managed woodland. Ignore any tracks until you reach a broad track with footpath markers and open gates indicating the Greensand Way. Take a minute to admire the views to the North Downs. Turn right here.
Hydon's Ball and Heath
Hydon's Ball and Heath came into the care of the National Trust soon after Octavia Hill's death in 1912, as a memorial to her. The seat at the top was installed in 1915. It is one of the highest points in Surrey, with the ball in the title possibly referring to a signalling station that once stood at the top of the hill (similar to the ball at Greenwich Observatory). You can see how the tall conifers make a mark on the skyline.
Stage 5
At a clearing the path bears towards the left and becomes a narrow gully, with firm rock underfoot. Continue through the woodland until you come out at a road. Turn left along the road and then right at the fingerpost to continue along the Greensand Way. The path follows the edge of the hill bending round to the right and ascending. Listen out for birds such as buzzards, woodpeckers, blackbirds and song thrushes. At the top you come out near a path and you can again see the tops of the conifer at Hydon's Ball across the fields. Continue along the narrow sandy path, following the ridge and then dropping down to a sunken road. Turn right and walk for 30 yards (27 metres) to a clearing where paths cross.
The Greensand Way
This long distance walking route starts in Haslemere and ends 108 miles (174km) later at Hamstreet in Kent, near the coast south of Ashford. The path provides unparalleled views across the Weald to the south as well as to the North Downs. The trail takes you past Leith Hill Tower, the highest point in the southeast of England. There is a distinctive Greensand Way marker sign in Surrey, which is a drawing of Leith Hill Tower.
Stage 6
Cross the Greensand Way to follow a sandy bridleway through hazel trees. There are lovely views over the farm fields to your left and you gradually descend into a wood. Go past the Thames Water pumping station and come to a crossroads of paths. You have reached Hydon's Ball and Heath. Go straight ahead and up the small hill through the woods and you will come to the Robertson Memorial on your left. From here turn sharp right and follow the track up the steep hill bending to your left, coming out at the top.
Stage 7
Stop here for a while to enjoy the views and maybe have a snack and a drink. When you're ready, take the path behind the seat to the left and go straight down the slopes though the woodland. You will come to the T-junction with a broad bridle path. Turn left and walk back to the car park.
End point
National Trust car park, Salt Lane, Godalming, Surrey, GU8 4BB. Grid ref: SU978402
Trail map
Oak leaves in September in Florence Court garden, Co Fermanagh | © National Trust Images / John Millar
You made it
Share your experience

More near here

Octavia Hill walk around Hydon's Ball and Heath

A short exhilarating circular walk from Hydon’s Ball and Heath, a National Trust site in the Surrey Hills AONB.

Easy to find signs, depicting Octavia Hill, mark out the trail

Winkworth to Oakhurst wonder walk

This moderate walk connects three very special National Trust places in the pretty West Weald: Winkworth Arboretum, Hydon's Ball and Oakhurst Cottage.