Greensand Way - Leg 2

Day 2 of our Greensand Way adventure started with a slight complication. The road to our chosen car park at the walk end, Winterfold Heath, was closed. We needed 3 cars to meet there so we could all return to the start of the walk in one and have enough here for all 6 of us to get back later. Of course the absence of a phone signal made it a challenge to meet up and proved paper maps had their advantages over satnav by phone! One car had approached from a different direction and just had to wait for us to find them. Half an hour later we found each other!

The 10.3 mile walk started at Witley Station, then bypassed Hambledon along the greensand ridge but with plenty of ups and downs! Total climb for the day was just under 1500 feet. We encountered the delightful village of Hascombe before the half way point but, on a Sunday morning, the pub wasn't the right choice - we needed a coffee! We then found a remarkable place called Wintershall.

This estate apparently was bought by a wealthy person who soon after the purchase converted to Christianity and his land is given over to a number of Christian festivals and plays. Ignorant of that fact, just as we were searching for a suitable log to sit on for our lunches, a miracle occurred! We just chose to go up and over one more hill after seeing a number of unexpected nativity play exhibits on the trees and in the grounds and, there in front of us, was a yellow truck, a coffee and cake van! Even better, a very pleasant seat was available and a long row of toilets for 'The Nativity Journey' an event due to start an hour or so after our arrival. 500 people were expected! https://www.wintershall.org.uk/nativity-journey-2024 

After this perfect lunch stop, avoiding the crowd, we walked on up and down our hilly path crossing the main Guildford - Horsham road south of Bramley and closing in towards Shamley Green. Our path stayed south of the village and meandered on in its undulating way past Woodhill and onto Winterfold Heath. The car park (No 6) was precisely on the route. From here we gladly took our seats for the ride back to Witley station and home!

This, like the first, was a delightful walk, some muddy sections but more than compensated by good paths and tracks or very quiet lanes. Everybody is keen to do the next leg so plans are being made for a hilly January leg!