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The contours of the terrain around the town are the result of earth movements and erosion in former ages. Once, the sandstone (bargate) was overlaid with chalk, now only surviving on the North and South Downs. During the Ice Ages, melting ice formed torrents, which carved out valleys, in one of which, at the junction of the Wey and Ock, stands Godalming.

If the chalk ridge of the Hog’s Back is ascended, a noble vista of rolling countryside is revealed to the south, with Godalming nestling in its hollow below the spires of Charterhouse.

Aaron’s Hill lies between the angle formed by the two rivers while to the south lies Holloway Hill, and to the north Frith Hill.

Around Godalming there are good footpaths and many fine walks on the hills and by the river. From the Church there is an excellent ramble upstream to the ancient bridge at Eashing and another fine walk downstream to Catteshall Locks and Shalford.

For those who prefer the heights, there is a good climb leading across Munstead Heath to the Arboretum at Winkworth – a place to visit in the spring when drifts of bluebells carpet the ground beneath the trees in a haze of blue. Nor must the azaleas’ colour be ignored.

West lies Hydons Ball near the Cheshire Home, a gift to the National Trust where Octavia Hill, one of the founders, is commemorated. Splendid views are obtained from the summit on all sides.

Continuing the circuit of the Godalming countryside to the west lies the peaceful lakes at Enton, bisected by the railway and the commons above Witley also owned by the National Trust. There was formerly a resident Warden here for some years, resulting in a well-managed nature reserve, where there are many breeding species of bird-life, including nightingales. All around here is open heathland, the greens and producing gorse and broom and varieties of heather. Rodborough Hill, Royal Common, Pot Common are all similar, crisscrossed by many paths and tracks and offering excellent walking, yet still within earshot of the roar of the traffic on the Portsmouth Road.

Northward lies Peperharow Park, formerly a therapeutic centre, now apartments. This great Palladian country house has had a chequered history since it was the family home of the Midletons, culminating in a great fire in March 1989. Through its grounds runs the Wey with its two medieval bridges at Somerset Farm and Elstead.

All over this area there are springs draining the land and ending up in the Wey. At Seale Church a brook runs eastward parallel to the Hog’s Back before turning south to form the Long Pond on Puttenham Common and ultimately emptying into the Wey. Some of these springs formed “hammer” ponds, as on Thursley Common, where the weirs provided power for the tilt-hammers used in the infant iron industry.

Another stream runs south from the Hog’s Back past Aldro School at Shackleford, running through remote and unspoilt country, yet within sight of the main road, entering the Wey at Peperharow. Above Eastbury Park at Compton is a long ridge culminating at Charterhouse and Frith Hill, with a good footpath where our circuit of the Godalming countryside ends where we began, looking down upon the town.

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. Photographs by: Mr Roger Browne, Mr Ron Head, Mr K R Powell & Mr John Young.