1st June 2026 Chantries

 

Monday, 1 June 2026.
The Chantries Ramble about 4 miles
Led by Rob Durham, back marker FB.

We met at the car park for The Chantries off Echo Pit Road. It was perfect weather – sunny but not too hot with a gentle breeze.
We walked gradually up the south side of the wood to one of the high points where there was a view of the cathedral to the north. We walked on and out of the south side of the wood to a viewpoint overlooking Shalford to the right, Chilworth to the left and Chinthurst Hill straight ahead. Here we stopped for coffee. A buzzard and red kite circled overhead.

Setting off again we passed a patch of Viper’s Bugloss. We walked on until we almost emerged on to Halfpenny Lane, but turned right to descend steep steps down parallel with the lane emerging on to a field edge and then round parallel to the southern border of The Chantries, back in the direction of Guildford. At Little Halfpenny Farm, we turned left, stopping to admire a large patch of different
coloured poppies. We crossed East Shalford Lane, through a hedge, and then walked parallel with the lane. We diverted to see Shalford Watermill and stood on the plank bridge over the Tillingbourne, watching a small “flock” of iridescent dark blue damsel flies hovering over the stream.

We walked out to Shalford Road and round via Shalford Lane and Shepherd’s Way to The Chantries and back to the car park.

Present on the walk: PDW, SDW, ME, JE, Dawn, FB, JJ, RM, SK, JE, SE, ET and RD.
Eight of us then went for lunch at the Percy Arms at Chilworth where we had a pleasant lunch with
friendly service.