Surrey Accessible Countryside
Disabled Access, Wheelchair walks, Easy Access, Access for All, Mobility, Walks on Wheels, Miles without Stiles - whatever the term the following is all about accessibility to the countryside and green spaces of Surrey.
Walks Greenspaces and Countryside
Transported Through Ash - Circular walk 3 - "An interesting walk linking the history of transport in the Valley. From the Old Railway Path to the canal towpath and the Blackwater Valley Path" - from the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust website
- Download a trail leaflet from the Surrey County Council website
Basingstoke Canal- "The Basingstoke Canal runs for 33 miles from Penny Bridge near Odiham, Hampshire to its junction with the River Wey at Woodham. The towpath is level but has steep cambers in places. A good place to start is from the Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre which is open all year round. (There is also a flat surfaced trail along the canal towpath through Woking town centre towards St Johns, Woking) Leaflets available from: The Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre" - from the Surrey County Council website
Blackwater Valley Path - "The Blackwater Valley Footpath runs for 33 km along the length of the Blackwater River and an 11 km section is accessible for wheelchair users and pushchairs."
- also see the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust website
Blanchmans Farm, Warlingham - "A 1 km path suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs through a lovely farm nature trail. The entrance from the car parking area off Limpsfield Road has a wheelchair accessible gate operable by a RADAR key. The surface of the route is level and generally well maintained with tactile directional strips for people with visual impairments. There are well spaced resting benches with one at the pond for resting and viewing. Overall the route is very accessible but there are no WC facilities." - from the Surrey County Council website
Box Hill - (NT) - "Accessible paths, including route through woods and to views" "Many other routes become less accessible due to uneven and/or very steep terrain" "Our Mountaintrike all terrain push wheelchair (MTpush – www.mountaintrike.co.uk ) can be borrowed free of charge and is best reserved in advance by emailing:
Chertsey Meads - We understand there are hard surface pathways suitable for wheelchair users and buggies. - "71 hectares (175 acres) of wildflower meadow on the banks of the Thames, Chertsey Meads is a wide open space popular with families and dog walkers alike. It has a modern children’s play area and two picnic areas with views across the river Thames. It is great for walks and family outings. Two free car parks provide ample parking." - from the Visit Surrey website
Chilworth Gunpowder Mills - Access for all abilities but paths can get a little muddy when wet. "Chilworth Gunpowder Mills is nestled in an area of unspoilt woodland in the Tillingbourne valley. It's a wonderful place for a peaceful walk and to explore the ruins of an industry from a bygone era." "explore the remains of over 100 buildings" - from the Guildford Borough Council website
- Download a trail leaflet from the Guildford Borough Council website
Devil's Punch Bowl (NT) - "300m easy access circular route, from the car park to a sandstone viewing platform. Forty benches dotted around the property at view points, near slopes and in picnic areas. Accessible parking at the main Devil's Punch Bowl car park - four designated spaces 70m from the café Full Changing Places toilet facility - from the National Trust website
Esher Common Easy Access Trail - "A 500 metre level trail which begins at the Blackhills car park off Portsmouth Road. The route continues through deciduous woodland and across an area of open heathland to Black Pond. There is a woodland interpretation sign and seating available. The path is well maintained and there are no obvious obstacles to any type of independent mobility." - from the Surrey County Council website
- Download a trail leaflet from the Elmbridge Borough Council website
Farnham Heath - "Wide pedestrian gates - all designed to be operable by wheelchair users. No stiles, steps or width restrictions. Orange route - 0.75 mile (1 km) loop - allow 30 minutes. Mostly fairly level and surfaced for much of its length. One short gradient. Can get muddy in wet weather. Has been used by wheelchair users with a helper. Purple route - 1 mile (1.5 km) - allow 45 minutes. More opportunities to enjoy the heath. Partly surfaced. Stretches with lots of tree roots and soft ground in wet weather. Has been used by visitors with mobility scooters and robust pushchairs. Green route - 2 miles (3 km) – allow 90 minutes. Passes through acid grassland, bluebell woods and heath. Some muddy patches in wet weather. Some steep inclines. . . disabled facilities, including baby changing facilities at the Rural Life Centre museum." - from the RSPB website
- Download a trail leaflet from the RSPB website
Francis Cornerc Easy Access Trail. - 5 km route - "Hard surfaced tracks, with some steep slopes.
- Download the leaflet
Frensham Common - "A 450 metre 'Easier Access' loop suitable for wheelchair users/pushchairs. Although away from the Great Pond there are glimpses of the pond from the car park and trail. The route is through a small oak wood with areas of heather. The surface is a mixture of boardwalk and fairly level unsurfaced paths. Wooden planks create a smooth non-slip surface with tap rails, passing places and there are benches for resting." - from the Surrey County Council website
Horsell Common - "Horsell Common has many areas that are accessible to all, from the elderly to people with disabilities to families with young children. Paths are generally not surfaced and may be very muddy, particularly during the winter." "An established purpose-built easy access path suitable for wheels (chairs and buggies) is available at The Bedser Trail on Woodham Common. This trail starts and finishes at the Monument Way car park and provides views of two bronze age barrows. The path is a relatively flat woodland path with fairly free draining soils. The footpath is edged and is surfaced with a stone aggregate to make it accessible for all, a short stretch of boardwalk is provided near the canal.- from the Horsell Common Preservation Society website
Horton Country Park - "Two circular walks on surfaced paths which can be a bit bumpy for manual wheelchair users. The walks take you through a rural landscape with many historical features including evidence of branch lines for the former Horton Light Railway. The route forms part of the Thames Down Link a 15 mile linear walking route linking the Thames Path and the North Downs Way. Some of the route is suitable for pushchairs and the less mobile. " - from the Surrey County Council website
- Download a trail leaflet from the Epsom & Ewell Borough Council website
Lakeside Nature Reserve - Green Flag award winner - "A peaceful 15 hectare nature reserve with large lake and an abundance of wildlife and wildflowers." - from the Guildford Borough Council website
- "There is a wheelchair accessible circular route around the main lake" from the Surrey County Council website
Leatherhead Riverside Walk - "Path most suitable for people using electric wheelchairs or scooters. There are however, many sections of the path which can be navigated with a manual wheelchair - either solo or with assistance." "The booklet is a guide to the Leatherhead section and describes two linked walking routes. The route from Leatherhead Leisure Centre on the Western side of the river is the most accessible section." - from the Surrey County Council website
Lightwater Country Park - "Lightwater Country Park extends to 59 hectares and consists of a variety of natural habitats. These include heathland, woodland, meadows, scrub, bog and ponds. Several of these can be observed from the easy access trail." - from the Surrey County Council website
Lingfield Nature Reserves - "he reserves occupy a 26-acre site and are a mixture of meadows, hedges, and woodland copses and also boast a wetland area with a number of ponds and small pools, an orchard, a wildflower meadow and a butterfly garden" "Access to the reserves is free and open to all, and a network of both hard-standing and grass paths makes it suitable for pushchairs and wheelchair users" - from the Lingfield Nature Reserves website.
Molesey - Hurst Park - (PDF Download) - "Pleasant paths along the banks of the River Thames through parkland with views of Garrick's Temple and islands." - from the Visit Thames website
Newlands Corner - "There is a waymarked Easy Access Trail on surfaced paths starting with a resting place to the east of the buildings. The gentle slope may make it difficult for a manual wheelchair user on their own." - from the Surrey County Council website
Penton Hook - (PDF Download) - "A lovely, quiet secluded wooded island hidden away on the river with a number of routes to explore and the opportunity to fish." - from the Visit Thames website