Pewley Down to Chantry Woods
An invigorating walks around one of Guildford's hidden gems. This is definitely one of my favourite baby carrying walks to clear your mind and be absorbed by the nature of the woodlands.
Enjoy this glorious loop walk around Pewley Down and Chantry Woods, which boasts 200 acres of woodlands, stunning views and plenty of foothpaths.
The details
Starting point: Chantry Wood Car Park
Parking: Chantry Wood Car Park
Length/distance: 2.8 - 3 miles, 1 hr
Baby carrying/buggy/toddler: baby carrying
Terrain: mixture of pavements and grassy and wooded footpaths, steep incline to begin with
Refreshments/toilets: Golden Ford's Cafe (check opening times) with portable loos
The walk
From the car park, with the white house infront of you, turn left and head along the raised path
Keep walking alongside Echo Pit Road until you reach the private road, Northdown Lane. Keep climbing up here until you reach a footpath on the right. This takes you into Pewley Down Nature Reserve
Enjoy the challenging climb to the top and take in the views
Walk past the memorial and take the first footpath descending down on the right to Mile Path
Follow this straight path to lead back into Chantry Wood. (See the board below)
Take the footpath on the left of the sign and head into the shady woods. (If you wanted to go to the Golden Ford's Cafe, take the right turn here and stay on the wide path. The path turns sandy as you pass through fields with horses. Pass the farm on the right and you will reach the Golden Ford's Cafe)
You will come to a junction, left will take you across a road and to St. Martha's Hill (well worth the stop if you have time), right will take you into the heart of the woods, the path straight infront will take you to the outskirts (depending if the cattle gates are open)
Head into the heart of the woods and pass the campsite on your right hand side
Stick to main footpaths as you make your way further into the woods. There will be hills throughout. (The middle of the woods can get very muddy in winter and after rain, so walking boots and Wellies are ideal)
You will reach an opening and pass the pretty white house on you right. Head around the house and make your way back to the car park
Things we love about this walk:
Amazing views
Gorgeous woodlands
Sensory experience for baby
Peaceful atmosphere
The steep hill is at the start, gets it over and done with!
Things we wish were better:
In winter/after rain the paths in the middle of the woods can become extremely muddy (wellies or good walking boots are a must!)
No baby changing facilities (nature babies it is)
The car park at Chantry Wood is fairly small, weekend mornings can be very busy, best to enjoy during the week
I have done this walk solo with a baby and attempted a few times with a toddler and baby. Although the hill at the start is steep, my toddler climbed all the way to the top without help! With my toddler, we have done the shorter version, using the cafe and seeing tractors as an incentive!
With plenty of footpaths and gorgeous scenery, this walk is a crowd pleaser for you and your baby.
Overall score - 8/10