Start from
car park on Guildford Lane just west of Albury village · Circular
walk ·
Total distance 2.5 miles – should take about 1 hour to 1 hour 20mins
depending on how energetic you feel
Directions and points of interest: Initial goal is to climb
St. Martha’s Hill – not too challenging, as car park is more than
halfway up!
From the car park, follow path signed with ‘woodpecker and line of
posts gradually uphill. Pass a pillbox and signpost pointing downhill
(Downs Way Link) Keep going gently uphill following the woodpecker
signs-path becomes wide sandy track with stunning open views to south
and Chilworth village below to left.
After about 15mins you’ll see St. Martha’s ahead standing alone on
ridge and surrounded by low wall. Enter churchyard by east gate –
immediately on left you’ll see a memorial headstone to Yvonne Arnaud
and her husband. About St.Martha’s Church Has look of Saxon church
with low squat tower but actually rebuilt in 1850.
It’s an ancient site and a church has been here for at least 1000
years. It holds a commanding position on ridge 580 feet above sea
level and far away from Chilworth village. Its somewhat isolated location
may have something to do with the fact that it lies on the Pilgrims
Way between Winchester and Canterbury and was a good ‘pull-in’ for
pilgrims Leave churchyard by south gate and follow path downhill through
oak wood.
Take care as path v.steep in places! Soon see walled garden of Chilworth
Manor to right. As we emerge from wood outbuildings of manor can be
seen to right. At T- junction of paths turn left - if you turn right
you enter the grounds of the manor.
Chilworth Manor Building is largely 18th C and currently owned
by Lady Heald (widow of Sir Lionel-sometime attorney general and a
silk at the patent bar). Lady H opens the grounds and house frequently
during the summer when excellent teas are available on the terrace!
Some of the outbuildings house a semi-permanent exhibition of sculptures
by the Surrey Sculpture Club.
Continue on left track slightly downhill along bridleway. After 5
mins pass lower end of Downslink path. Track widens and crosses 2
streams, which are both part of the Tillingbourne River. Just before
the second stream, note the info board on right which tells the story
of the gunpowder works which flourished from 17th C to 1920.
About Chilworth Gunpowder Works
Remains of some of the buildings, millstones, stores and other installations
can still be seen by making a detour along side of the river to the
right of main track. To minimise damage from frequent explosions the
various buildings were scattered over a wide area. However this did
not prevent the tower of St Martha’s being demolished in one particularly
exciting explosion in the 18th C. However after optional detour to
view the gunpowder works, we turn left over stile into field. Cross
the field following yellow markers and then further stiles through
two further fields. Large reed–fringed pond on left where waterfowl
can usually be seen Continue to reach Postford Mill.
Cross bridge on left and follow tarmac path between cottages and second
big pond. At 3rd pond turn left continuing on tarmac path to Millstream
cottage. Turn left behind garden of cottage and walk along path through
beech wood.
This leads up a gently rising ridge known as Collyers Hanger (hanger
means a wooded ridge). Continue until a field is seen on left, then
turn right up hill away field After 5 mins reach car park where hopefully
you are reunited with your car.
No refreshments available directly en route but there are pubs in
Albury and Chilworth.
