We look forward to welcoming you to this year’s Farnham Walking Festival!
This series of free events features around 30 walks, which aim to celebrate what Farnham’s great outdoors has to offer: from its villages to the beautiful surrounding countryside of Surrey and Hampshire.
Set across three weeks from 11 May to 2 June, there is something for everyone – from short strolls around town to 10-mile hikes through the Surrey Hills and everything in between.
All walks are kindly led by experts in their field, providing walks of varying degrees covering the topics of local community, art and creativity, nature and wildlife, history and heritage and walks for health.
Walk programme
See the schedule of walks or download your own copy of the Walking Festival programme.
| Date & start time | Walk title | Walk description | Distance (miles) | Starting point | Booking details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday 11 May at 10.15am | Crondall Circular | Pleasant circular walk around the Crondall countryside. End location is not far from two lovely country pubs and a lovely tea shop in the village plus a great one just near the end of the walk. | 4.8 | Crondall Parish Church, GU10 5QF | No booking required |
| Saturday 11 May at 2pm | Dockenfield Delight | Varied walk on quiet lanes and woodland paths passing lakes, rivers and streams with some beautiful old buildings to admire as well as plenty of stunning Surrey countryside. | 6.5 | The Bluebell, Boundary Rd, Farnham GU10 4EX | No booking required |
| Sunday 12 May at 10.30am | The Big Walk for Dyslexia | This annual charity walk will explore Farnham Park with its 600 year old landscape. The walk is suitable for families and dogs with the choice of a short or long walk. Plenty of tea and cake will be available at the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity once the walk is completed. | 3.1 | Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity, GU9 7DR | No booking required |
| Monday 13 May at 10.30am | Nature Connection | This walk is designed to be a gentle walk to reconnect you with the sights and sounds of nature. We'll also learn about the history of Alice Holt too. On the way there are boards which invite us to pause, listen and touch to reconnect our senses . There are lots of native birds here too so we can listen to a bird app which will teach you about the different birds in the forest. | 1.5 | Alice Holt Visitor Centre | No booking required |
| Wednesday 15 May at 10.30am | A Rodborough Common Walk | A circular, flat walk, with no stiles, across Bagmore Common to Elstead and return. We will include a 15-minute break for refreshments, so please bring a drink and snack especially if the weather is hot. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome. https://www.farnhamramblers.org.uk/walks-programme.html | 3.5 | Rodborough Common Car Park, Portsmouth Road, Milford, GU8 5BL | No booking required |
| Wednesday 15 May at 6pm | Ward Walk - Weybourne | Join Councillors Matthew Brown and Andrew Laughton for an opportunity to chat and get to know your elected representatives. A walk around the Rowhill Nature Reserve ending up for tea at the Field Centre. | Rowhill Nature Reserve Car Park Cranmore Lane, GU11 3BD | No booking required | |
| Thursday 16 May at 6pm | Ward Walk - Bourne | Join Councillors George Murray and Michaela Martin for an opportunity to chat and get to know your elected representatives. The route follows the Bourne stream from pub to pub. Duration 90 mins, all level but slightly restricted pathways. Ending at Bat & Ball pub. | 2 | The Spotted Cow Public House, 3 Bourne Grove, Lower Bourne, Farnham GU10 3QT | No booking required |
| Thursday 16 May at 6pm | Ward Walk - Hale and Heath End | Join Councillors Sally Dickson and Tony Fairclough for an opportunity to chat and get to know your elected representatives. St Mark’s church & murals, Hale Chapel Gardens, Alma Pub (Boer War historic battle), Holy Family Chapel & Stained glass windows, End at Alma Way. Drinks at the Alfred Pub. Stops along the route. | 2 | Hale Village Hall Car Park, 1 Wings Road, Farnham, GU9 0HN | No booking required |
| Thursday 16 May at 6pm | Ward Walk - Wrecclesham and Rowledge | Join Councillors John Ward and Tim Woodhouse for an opportunity to chat and get to know your elected representatives. A Walk around Alice Holt Forestry Commission. | St James’ Church, Rowledge, Farnham, GU10 4EN | No booking required | |
| Thursday 16 May at 10am | Kingsley and The Hangers | A walk in the hilly parts of Hampshire, taking in several of the interestingly shaped hills called “hangers”, with lovely woodland and memorable countryside and views. We will include a 15-minute break for refreshments, so please bring a drink and snack and also a picnic lunch and plenty of water if it is an all-day walk, especially if the weather is hot. https://www.farnhamramblers.org.uk/walks-programme.html | 10.5 | Kingsley Pond Car Park, Forge Road, Kingsley, GU35 9ND | No booking required |
| Friday 17 May at 6pm | Ward Walk - Badshot Lea and Moor Park | Join Councillors Chris Jackman and Mark Merryweather for an opportunity to chat and get to know your ward representatives. You will walk along Moor Park Way and Moor Park House Way, to Mother Ludlam’s Cave. | 3.4 | Shepherd & Flock Public House, 22 Moor Park Lane, Farnham, GU9 9JB | No booking required |
| Saturday 18 May at 10am | Exploring the North Downs Way - Farnham to Guildford | Join the President, Christine Howard and Vice President, Ken Bare, of the Surrey Hills Society on this long distance walk along the North Downs Way from Farnham to Guildford. Enjoy several stops along the way to enjoy the views. Bring a picnic lunch. We will also stop at Watts Gallery cafe for afternoon break and refreshments before our final arrival at Guildford Railway station. From here you can take a train back to Farnham. | 14 | Entrance to Farnham Train Station | No booking required |
| Saturday 18 May at 10.30am | History Walking Tour of Farnham | Finn is raising funds for his school charity trip to Peru in the summer of 2025. Discover hidden gems, hear tales of famous figures, and immerse yourself in the rich history of this charming location. Suggested donation of £5 per person per tour. | 2 | Gostrey Meadow Band Stand | Booking required |
| Saturday 18 May at 1.45pm | Mindfulness in Nature Walk | A slow, sensory based walk taking time to pause, reflect and notice our surroundings at Alice Holt Forest. Incorporating a mindfulness technique the aim is to slow down, de-stress from the day-to-day challenges and leave refreshed and more calm. | 2-3 | Alice Holt Visitor Centre | No booking required |
| Saturday 18 May at 2.30pm | Trees of Farnham Town Centre | A gentle and slow walk around the streets of Farnham to see the variety of street and park trees. | < 2 | Gostrey Meadow - Union Rd. Main gates | No booking required |
| Sunday 19 May at 9.30am | WWF Great Wild Walk | The forests you walk, talk and relax in are under threat from climate change. Will you take action? Unite with WWF at our brand new event in Alice Holt forest. Walk 5 or 10 miles and raise funds to save the places you love. | 5 or 10 | Alice Holt Forest | Booking required |
| Sunday 19 May at 10.15am | Froyle Circular | Circular walk starting in Lower Froyle, goes through open fields, country lanes. Dogs on leads welcome. There is a steep hill so be prepared. Also be prepared for mud and wet ground. There is some road walking. | 5 | Lower Froyle Village Hall Car Park, GU34 4LG | No booking required |
| Sunday 19 May at 10.30am | History Walking Tour of Farnham | Finn is raising funds for his school charity trip to Peru in the summer of 2025. Discover hidden gems, hear tales of famous figures, and immerse yourself in the rich history of this charming location. Suggested donation of £5 per person per tour. | 2 | Gostrey Meadow Band Stand | Booking required |
| Monday 20 May at 1pm | History & Management of Farnham Park | A guided walk of the history of Farnham Park and its historical landscape. The walk will include all the major site features, as well as the less known ones too. From the stone age to the Second World War, you’ll get your hands on genuine artifacts found in the park as well as historic photographs. You will also get a first-hand glimpse of current management as outlined in the heritage landscape restoration. | 3-4 | Farnham Park Car Park, Folly Hill, GU9 0AU | No booking required |
| Thursday 23 May at 10am | East Meon to the South Downs Way | The walk starts by going up Park Hill, then on to The South Downs Way through woodland and farmland until you reach the bracing Chalk Downs uplands with fantastic views. Steep ascents (approximately 1060ft in total) and possibly slippery and muddy if wet. | 11 | East Meon Village Hall Car Park, Workhouse Lane, GU32 1PF | No booking required |
| Wednesday 22 May at 4pm | Farnham in Bloom Judging Route Walk | This walk is the route that Farnham in Bloom will be taking the RHS Britain in Bloom and South and South East in Bloom judges this summer. The walk will be through Gostrey Meadow, alongside the Maltings, through St Andrew's Church Yard and also featuring Castle Street and Long Garden Walk | <2 | Farnham Town Hall, South Street, Farnham, GU9 7RN | No booking required |
| Thursday 23 May at 10am | Tice's Meadow Nature Reserve Biodiversity Trail | Join us for a leisurely stroll around Tice's Meadow Nature Reserve, following the 1.5 mile circular Biodiversity Trail, and spotting the wildlife that thrives at this award winning nature reserve. | 1.5 | Tice's Meadow main entrance, GU11 3RJ | No booking required |
| Friday 24 May at 10.00am | Aldershot History Walk | A walk around the centre of Aldershot to explore its 19th century history. | 4 | Wellington Statue car park | No booking required |
| Friday 24 May at 12.30pm | Walk for Members of the Ukrainian Community | Meet at Victoria Garden by the statue for a walk around Farnham to showcase some of Anastasiia’s favourite hidden green spaces within Farnham. The walk will end at Farnham Castle. | 3 | Victoria Garden - by statue. GU9 7RN | No booking required |
| Saturday 25 May at 10.15am | Bentley Circular | Pleasant circular walk starting from Bentley Church, walking through some beautiful countryside. Be aware there are at least 11 stiles. There are some inclines and the area is bound to be muddy. Dogs on leads most welcome. | 5 | Bentley Village Church - please park at the end of the car park GU10 5NA | No booking required |
| Saturday 25 May at 10.30am | Caesar's Camp | A walk around the Heathland East Side of Caesar's Camp, taking in views as far away as London from Jubilee Clump which was also the site for filming of the recent House of Dragon series. | 3.5 | Rowhill Nature Reserve car park , GU11 3BD | No booking required |
| Sunday 26 May at 10am | A Chawton and Selborne Walk | Enjoy the glorious Hampshire countryside from Chawton to Selborne, including woodland and open farmland. We will include a 15-minute break for refreshments, so please bring a drink and snack and also a picnic lunch and plenty of water. | 10 | Chawton Village Car Park, Winchester Road, Alton, GU34 1SD | No booking required |
| Sunday 26 May at 11am | Gentle Walk Through Rowhill Copse | Start at the Field Centre and walk up onto Hallimore Hill then descend down to the Spine Path in the Reserve which meanders past the source of the River Blackwater down to Sweet Chestnut Glade. Then towards the field, which is similar to a meadow. After that we will take the path following the stream using the boardwalk to make our way back to the Filed Centre. Should participants feel the hill is too steep we will head straight for the Spine Path which runs mainly through the centre of the Reserve and take a detour before we reach the Sweet Chestnuts. | 1.2 | Field Centre, building visible from car park. | No booking required |
| Sunday 26 May at 2.30pm | Ward Walk - North West Farnham | Join Councillors Graham White and David Beaman for an opportunity to chat and get to know your ward representatives. Walk begins at the University for the Creative Arts entrance, leading you through Farnham Park up to Hale Community Centre. | University for the Creative Arts, Falkner Road, Farnham, GU9 7DS | No booking required | |
| Monday 27 May at 10.30am | Ward Walk - Castle | Join Councillors Alan Earwaker and George Hesse for an opportunity to chat and get to know your elected representatives. | Gostrey Meadow, Union Road, Farnham, GU9 7RH | No booking required | |
| Saturday 1 June at 10.30am | Ward Walk - Shortheath and Firgrove | Join Councillors Brodie Mauluka and Kika Mirylees for an opportunity to chat and get to know your elected representatives. | Loaf Bakery, 41 Ridgeway Road, Farnham, GU9 8NN | No booking required | |
| Saturday 1 June at 7.30pm | Farnham Park Bat and Ghost walk | An evening walk around Farnham Park looking for bats in a range of habitats. Learn about the native bat species and how to use a bat detector. | 2-3 | Farnham Park Car Park, Folly Hill, GU9 0AU | No booking required |
| Tuesday 28 May at 2pm | Town Centre Parks and Plaques | A walk around Farnham town centre visiting ten parks and gardens discussing their history, trees and main attractions and en route, observing some 60 plus plaques commemorating important Farnham people, places and events over the past millennium. | 2 | Borelli Walk, South Street by the River Wey | No booking required |
| Thursday 30 May at 10am | West Meon and the Surrounds | After leaving West Meon we make our way to Old Winchester Hill, Exton village and Beacon Hill. The walk is hilly, but we will be rewarded with good views. We will include a 15 minute break for refreshments, so please bring a drink and snack and also a picnic lunch and plenty of water, if it is an all day walk, especially if the weather is hot. As a visitor, if you wish to join this walk do make sure you are fit enough for the pace and terrain and have the right footwear and clothing for this walk. You can contact Farnham & District Ramblers Group or the leader if in doubt. https://www.farnhamramblers.org.uk/walks-programme.html | 10 | West Meon Village Hall Car Park, Headon View. GU32 1LH | No booking required |
| Sunday 2 June at 10am | Uncover the Secrets of Alice Holt | Join our experienced rangers for a 90-minute walk through the ancient forest of Alice Holt. Learn about the varied wildlife and ecology of the site, as well as its rich history spanning Roman settlements, Norman enclosure, medieval hunts, and 18th century shipbuilding. There are limited benches along the route, and the track is uneven in places. | 2.5 | Outside Visitor Centre at Alice Holt Forest | No booking required |
| Sunday 2 June at 10.15am | Upper, Middle and Lower Old Park | Pleasant circular walk starting from the centre of Farnham at the Upper Hart Car Park, walking through some beautiful countryside. Dogs on leads most welcome. | 4.5 | Upper Hart Car Park, GU9 7HD | No booking required |
| Sunday 2 June at 1.30pm | Rowhill Nature Reserve - walk and cream tea | Start at the Field Centre and walk up onto Hallimore Hill then descend down to the Spine Path in the Reserve which meanders past the source of the River Blackwater down to Sweet Chestnut Glade. Then towards the field, which is similar to a meadow. After that we will take the path following the stream using the boardwalk to make our way back to the Filed Centre. Should participants feel the hill is too steep we will head straight for the Spine Path which runs mainly through the centre of the Reserve and take a detour before we reach the Sweet Chestnuts. | 1.2 | Field Centre, building visible from car park. | No booking required |
| Sunday 2 June at 10am | Farnham Town Walks: Join a Guided Tour of Farnham | Join a local guide to discover more about the history of our lovely ‘Georgian’ town. The cost is £5 per head - proceeds are donated to local charities. | 1-1.5 | Waggon Yard Car Park, Lower Church Ln, Farnham, GU9 7PS | No booking required |
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