Chertsey Walk
Saturday March 15, 2008
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Chertsey WalkSaturday March 15, 2008 |
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ChertseyKey FactsStart/Finish: Chertsey Library Car Park Distance: 6.4km or 4 miles Time: Allow 2 hours Type of walk: Easy Walking DirectionsCHERTSEY IS AN OLD MEDIEVAL TOWN THAT IS MENTIONED IN THE DOOMSDAY BOOK. THE TOWN IS HOME TO SOME OF THE BEST PRESERVED GEORGIAN ARCHITECTURE IN SURREY. START IN CHERTSEY LIBRARY CAR PARK, HERIOT ROAD, OPPOSITE CHERTSEY HALL. MAP REF. 041666.
Leave the car park on foot passing under the height barrier. Turn left along Heriot Road to the mini roundabout. Turn left to walk over Stevens Bridge to cross over the River Bourne. Footpaths run down to the right on both banks of the river. A short detour takes you to Herring’s Bridge. The Victorian foot bridge is one of the few remaining structures still in existence that has railings cast at Chertsey’s Herring Foundry. The bridge was extensively refurbished in 2001. Rejoin the main road and continue down Guildford Street. Cross Eastworth Road, and continue straight on over the level crossing into Guildford Road. Turn left into Hanworth Lane to the cul de sac end. Cross the road and Join the public footpath. Follow this path by the side of the hedge down to the M25 motorway. At the end of the path turn right and then left through the tunnel under the motorway, emerging in the field beyond. Follow the path around the edge of the field turning left at the footpath junction by the back of Salesian School, continue until the footpath way markers indicate a right turn into Green Lane. Cross the road to join the pavement and turn left crossing over the M25 Motorway. Turn left at a footpath/cycleway before reaching the road bridge over Green Lane by the side of a house. Follow this shared footpath/cycleway over the railway to Eastworth Road. Along this stretch of the walk two chapels can be seen. The first is in Addlestone Cemetery and is well screened by some attractive cedar and cypress trees. A nine-hole golf course adjoins this on the right hand side. Cross over the railway bridge and walk down the wide track to Eastworth Road. On your left hand side are St. Stephen’s Chapel and Chertsey Cemetery. On joining Eastworth Road, turn right and walk along to Clay Corner traffic lights. Cross the road at the lights to take you onto Chertsey Road standing in front of the Runnymede Centre. Turn to your left and take the footpath just in Fordwater Road that bears off to your right. This path takes you onto Chertsey Meads. Turn left, crossing the footbridge towards the Marina and the River Thames. The footpath continues alongside the Marina and you should take this path, unless you wish to picnic on the Meads! At the end of this path turn left into the roadway that winds its way up to Bridge Road. Looking to your right you will see Chertsey Bridge. This bridge was completed in 1785 and affords good views of the River Thames in both directions. A short diversion over the bridge and upstream is particularly worthwhile to watch Chertsey Lock in action. At the junction of Bridge Wharf and Bridge Street on your left is a small statue of Chertsey heroine Blanche Heriot who according to legend saved her lover from execution by delaying the ringing of the Abbey curfew bell. After pausing here, head back towards Chertsey Town Centre, walking along Bridge Road, passing the traffic lights, a stretch of about half a mile. Just after the left hand bend in the road, before reaching the Vine Public House, a bridleway sign can be seen on the right hand side directing you down Willow Walk. This route passes some of the oldest houses in Chertsey, bringing you out into Abbey Green. At the triple footpath sign turn left down an alley way between the buildings, which takes you alongside St. Peter’s Church, in the heart of Chertsey. This brings you out by the War Memorial in London Street. Looking to your left is the old Chertsey Town Hall and a short walk to your right is the Chertsey Museum, situated in the Cedars House, a Grade II listed Regency town house on Windsor Street. Chertsey is home to some of the best-preserved Georgian architecture in the County and many fine buildings can be seen along this road. The road opposite the alleyway is Guildford Street. Take this road passing the shopping centre of Chertsey, with its quaint mix of old and new style shops. At the junction of Heriot Road and Guildford Street turn left to return to your starting point in the car park.
This site was last updated 09 Mar 2008 |
