Witley Common
Godalming
Children will enjoy the series of rustic, woodland play areas on this walk.
Tree stumps and dens at the first natural play area
The Basics
Time: 1 hour for the main walk or under 30 mins for The Nature Trail
Distance: 3.7 km / 2.3 miles for the main walk or 2 km for The Nature Trail
Terrain: Woodland paths, a couple of gentle hill climbs, some sandy heathland paths.
Pushchairs: Pushchairs could probably get around the shorter Nature Trail, but the paths are rougher and narrower on the main walk.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome under good control.
Refreshments: There are no refreshment opportunities on this walk but there are picnic benches near the woodland play areas.
Toilets: There are no public toilets.
Public Transport: South West trains between Guildford and Portsmouth stop in Witley from where it is a 15 minute walk to the common. Stagecoach routes 70 between Guildford and Petworth and 71 between Guildford and Haslemere stop at Petworth Road.
Parking: National Trust car park on Webb Road, off Haslemere Road. Just Park App - £2 for up to 1 hour, £4 for up to 2 hours, £6 for up to 4 hours, National Trust members free (Postcode: GU8 5QA - W3W: ///commands.strange.viewer)
Views across the heath from the highest point of the walk
Witley Common comprises a variety of landscapes from sunny, sandy heathland to green, wooded glades. A walk here is an absolute joy for all ages, and it is made all the more enticing for younger ones by the rustic wooden play features found near the start of the trail.
The Route
There are two marked trails starting out from the car park/play area:
The shorter Nature Trail stays mainly in the woodland, with a short distance across the heath. It is clearly marked by green markers and should be accessible by pushchairs in most weathers. This route is NOT described on this page.
The longer Heathland Hike passes through various woodland types, as well as sandy, heather and bracken clad heathland. It is clearly marked by purply pink markers. At 2.5 hours, we decided it was a little long for our children, so we have come up with our own shorter version which is described below.
Begin by heading back down the Webb Road in the direction of Haslemere Road. On your right, you will see a turning with a large wooden signpost and a post marking ‘Wild About Witley’ - the name of the play trail. As you walk down this path, you will soon see the first part of the play area on the left and right. There are also a few picnic tables here.
Continue straight after the first play area, and almost immediately, a wooden arrow will point down to the left where there are more play structures and another picnic bench.
After this play area, the path curves around to the left following signs to Witley Outdoor Learning Centre. A third play area will come into view in a grassy clearing. You will also find two more large picnic benches.
This is the final play area and after this, the walk properly begins by taking the path to the left after the monkey bars which is marked with a purply pink marker. You will soon pass the Witley Centre to your left, where you should bear right, following the signs for the heathland and nature trails.
Shortly after this, you will arrive at a T-Junction. Turn left, still following the purple markers. Proceed through the woodland.
As the path becomes sandier and the trees give way to bracken covered heathland, look out for the purply pink marker to your left which will take you up through the bracken. After a short, steady incline, follow the purply pink marker to your right and head back down again, crossing the heath. This section can be narrow, so take care of the prickly gorse!
After crossing the heath, turn left again, still following the markers. The path will bring you more steeply upwards along a sandy path to a viewpoint and a bench. After the bench, the path veers off to the right and heads off through woodland again. At a cross-path, continue straight on and then when the path splits, keep right, following the markers.
As you leave the woodland, you will come to a large clearing. The Nature Trail and The Heathland Trail reconverge and continue to your left. However, this is where our route leaves the marked trails and we continued straight on, crossing the open area. At a fork in the path and a green nature trail marker, fork left. Continue straight and ignore a path that leads off to the left and proceed ahead on the wide path. This will bring you back to the first play area and then Webb Road.
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Did you know?
During the second world war, the common was the site of The Witley Camp. A whole ‘village’ of buildings was erected to house soldiers in training, much of which has now been deconstructed. There are still a few signs of what was once there such as two clearings created for a parade ground and a recreation ground.
If you enjoyed this walk…
…your kids also may like the natural play area at Hindhead Commons
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