Shalford to St Catherine's

The chapel that overlooks the start of this walk is steeped in mystery. We know that it was consecrated in 1317, but it was abandoned by the end of the Middle Ages. It is dedicated to St Catherine, a saint associated with hills and springs – there is a spring at the base of the hill and there was once thought to be a dragon that guarded it. St Catherine also protected people from dragons

St Catherine’s Chapel

The fact that it is positioned near the Pilgrims Way suggests that St Catherine’s Chapel may have been used by pilgrims travelling from Winchester to Canterbury. At one stage it was altered so that visitors could enter and leave on two floors, implying that a large number of people might pass through. It was also important because it had the right to hold a fair on St Matthew’s Day (21 September) and this was of great commercial importance. This fair was held every year until World War I, a custom resurrected by locals for one more time in 2012. Artist JMW Turner captured the beauty of the chapel in his painting, St Catherines Hill, Guildford, Surrey (1830). The old Portsmouth road originally went up the hill past the chapel, crossing the path of the Pilgrims Way, which went down to the river where a ford originally existed and where a ferry crossed the river.

Local legends

A more colourful legend associated with the chapel is that it was built by a giantess. Her sister was building the Chapel at St Martha’s 2 miles (3.2km) away near the village of Chilworth. They had only one hammer between them, so they used to throw it from one site to the other. There is also a legend from King Arthur’s times about the Maid of Astolat. It is said that Astolat was located at Guildford, and the maid, Elaine, fell in love with Lancelot but her love was unrequited. When she died she was placed in a small boat, holding a lily in one hand and a letter to Lancelot in the other, and floated down the river to Camelot. Lancelot was so moved he paid for a magnificent funeral for her. There are other legends about this place and there is no doubt that it excites the imagination.

From the car park, facing the houses, turn right towards the road. On meeting the road turn left and continue along the road called Pilgrims Way to the junction with Shalford Road (A281). Cross with care and continue straight ahead across the playing fields of Shalford Park. Follow the path through the woods, across another field and over a plank bridge across a small stream, and at the end reach the River Wey to turn left towards the bridge.

Cross over the bridge and on the far side turn right, passing under the bridge heading south along the tow path (river on your left), which is sandy and uneven at first. After 700yds (640m) pass St Catherine’s Lock and continue along the tow path until it reaches Broadford Road (A248). Turn left along the road and see The Parrot Inn on the opposite side.

At this point turn left on to the common and take the path which forks right (signed ‘Guildford, Shalford’) to reach a group of houses at Juniper Terrace. Follow the gravel track straight ahead past the cottages towards Dagley Farmhouse. Meet an intersection of tracks and bear left to cross over the railway bridge. Continue straight ahead on the public bridleway past the allotments on the left, ignoring the paths to left and right. When the track divides three ways, take the right-hand path (signed ‘Scholars Trail’) with the river on the left. In a few paces reach The Street (A281) with The Seahorse pub to the right.

Turn left at the road and cross over at the lights. In 65yds (60m) turn right down East Shalford Lane, over Lemon Bridge and past Tilehurst Farm. At the road junction take the road straight ahead past a number of houses on the left. After 400yds (366m) past the last house there is a little path on the left into the field. Take this path and as soon as you enter the field see the view of Guildford Cathedral in the distance and the copper spire of Shalford church in the foreground over to the left. Half-way up the hill meet a cross-track and turn left. Keep on this track to reach a stile and a small road (Shepherd’s Way). Go over the stile and turn right.

Follow this road to the right for 50yds (46m) and take a path on the right (signed ‘Scholars Trail’ ) to walk by the side of a woodland and emerge with Chantry Cottage to your right. Return to the car park straight ahead.