Woldingham and Marden Park
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Our view
"Fine views across the valley of Marden Park and from the North Downs Way."
Walk directions
From the car park, walk past the wooden gate marked ‘Woodland Trust’ and take the path straight ahead signed ‘Woldingham Countryside Walk’ (WCW) on a small marker post. Walk gently downhill and keep ahead passing steps up to your right and down on your left. At the next junction, near a black barn, bear left to follow the sign for Woldingham Station. At the next fingerpost continue ahead, towards South Lodge. At the T-junction opposite a gate and several large green metal containers, turn left, signed to South Lodge, and carry on as the path meets a tarmac drive at the school.
Turn right and then right again, passing Marden House on your right and then tennis courts and all weather pitches on the left. The drive starts to bend to the right and, in front of the façade of the old building, turn sharp left at a 3 of your walk). It dates from the 19th century, and involved the quarrying of firestone and hearthstone. Towards the end of that century it became a mushroom farm, but during World War II it was converted into a secure bonded store and sealed with heavy metal doors. There are still tracks of a railway line inside, but it is now too dangerous to enter. fingerpost, back up a hill towards a waymarker. Continue on the well-defined path, slowly climbing up the hillside with a barbed wire fence on the left, and at the top edge of the wood bear right. At the next waymarker, turn left over a stile, and at the far end of the wood the path bears right and ascends between fields. Carry straight on at the next waymarker – on your left the field sweeps down the hillside to the drive leading to South Lodge. Bear left around a thicket and head towards the wood, entering it through an obvious opening. Go into the wood where, after 13yds (12m), another waymarker indicates a path joining from the right. Carry on ahead here and, in 25yds (23m), the path veers to the left and re-enters the field. Continue across this field towards a wood, where the path descends via wooden steps.
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Additional information
Terrain
- Well-surfaced tracks, some footpaths can become muddy, 1 stile
Landscape
- Superb views at many points both to the north and south
Dog friendliness
- Generally very good
Parking
- Marden Park car park, Gangers Hill Road
Toilets en route
- None on route, the nearest are at the car park on the A22 near Point 3 of the walk
About the walk
Woldingham, a quiet village that lies just to the north of this walk, was a remote agricultural hamlet until the coming of the railway. There is an early record of a settlement in the Domesday Book, and William the Conqueror gave the parish to one of his knights. The old church, St Agatha’s, dates...
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Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
About the area
Surrey is one of England’s most wooded counties, with over a quarter of the landscape designated as an official AONB and plenty of history evident in the countryside. You’ll find sandy tracks, cottage gardens and welcoming village inns, and on the fringe of Greater London you can picnic in Chaldon’s hay meadows, explore the downs at Epsom, or drift idly beside the River Thames.
Nearby places to stay
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Nearby places to stay
Nutfield Priory Hotel & Spa
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Reigate Manor
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Langshott Manor
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Gainsborough Lodge
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Medley Court
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Medley Court
Dating back to 1903, Medley Court is a luxurious property with the appearance of a Tudor house, surrounded by private lawns. The interior is sumptuous, and the sitting room has view acr...
Hever Castle Bed & Breakfast
Hever Castle in Kent offers 27 luxury bedrooms, each with its own unique charm and character. All bedrooms combine traditional features with modern day luxuries, providing the perfect r...
Donnington Manor Hotel
Donnington Manor Hotel offers comfortable rooms, modern in style. There is a range of function rooms ideal for conferences and weddings. Guests can enjoy dinner in the Chartwell Restaur...
Places to eat nearby View all
