Addlestone and Chertsey Walk
Saturday March 15, 2008
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Addlestone and Chertsey WalkSaturday March 15, 2008 |
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Addlestone, Chertsey Meads & WoburnKey FactsStart/Finish: Car Park 2 on the Meads, Mead Lane Distance: 4.8km or 3 miles Time: Allow 1½ hours Type of walk: Easy Walking DirectionsTHIS ROUTE TAKES IN CHERTSEY MEADS AND CROSSES SEVERAL TRIBUTARIES OF THE RIVER BOURNE. IT STARTS AT THE SECOND CAR PARK ON THE MEADS. THIS IS SITUATED AT THE END OF MEAD LANE DRIVE PAST THE FIRST CAR PARK AND TAKE THE SECOND TURNING ON YOUR LEFT TO THE CAR PARK AT THE END OF THE TRACK. MAP REF. 059665. Chertsey Meads is an interesting area to spot many different species of birds. The open meadow area provides the ideal habitat for many different birds including Herons, Kestrels, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks.
Facing the River Thames, take the path to your left hand side by some posts and head towards the bungalows. Join Public Footpath No. 51, which leads you across the Meads, towards the Marina. Looking to your right the re stored Chertsey Bridge can be seen in all its glory. The present stone bridge was completed in 1785 at a cost of £10,125. At the edge of the Meads and opposite you is a path leading to a footbridge, and to your left a small commemorative plaque. Continue over the footbridge alongside the Marina and turn left at the end of the boat compound, taking the path between the fences to Mead Lane. Cross the road to join the public footpath that crosses the River Bourne and runs between the school and Brackendene Open Space, emerging by the Fire Station at Addlestone Moor. This is the foot of Woburn Hill and ahead, to the left, up the hill the over- wintering quarters of Cottle’s Circus can be seen. Turn right and follow the route of the pavement to the dual carriageway on Chertsey Road. Cross the busy road with care at the traffic lights. Turn left here, cross Roakes Avenue and continue along the old Chertsey Road. Pass through the tunnel at the end of the road to walk under St Peter’s Way. Emerge through the tunnel onto a path and go over the railway bridge. Looking to the left is Hatch Farm where, in summer, Peacocks can be seen. Pass Langton Close to reach The George Public House. This is Addlestone’s oldest pub, probably dating from the sixteenth century, and has been an inn since at least 1775. The cottages nearby, as well as 114/116 across Chertsey Road, date from c1800 and are listed buildings. Cross the road here to Public Footpath No. 29, to the left of the petrol filling station, which runs from Chertsey Road to St. George’s Road, alongside the railway on one side and Victory Park on the other, for a few hundred yards. This land was once part of Captain’s Farm, owned by Lt. Col. de Visme (who fought in the PeninsuIa War). Framing the narrow path are some fine Copper Beeches and Lilacs. The floral gardens and football field were opened in 1919. In the 1930’s the cricket field and the bowling green areas were added to the Park, while tennis courts were purchased from Addlestone Hard Courts Club. The path then deviates away from the railway around the large ex ‘Safeway’ car park and continues down to Station Road. Turn left here over the level crossing and at a convenient point cross the road. The station was built in 1848, when the L&SWR completed the Weybridge-Chertsey Railway, with the platform originally on the south side of the crossing. The modern buildings of Aviator Park dominate the left hand side of Station Road. The site is named after the Bleriot Aeroplane Factory that once stood on this site. Pass by the new office buildings and continue to Albert Road. Turn right and walk to the end of the road. Albert Road contains some attractive late Victorian cottages. Here the public footpath, marked by a metal sign turns to the left, crossing the River Bourne three times and running alongside St Augustine’s Green, before meeting the Weybridge Road. Turn to your right and walk to the traffic signals where you can safely cross the road. Having negotiated the traffic on the busy dual carriageway, walk back to the entrance of Meadowlands Caravan Park, where the public footpath sign directs you up the internal access road towards Chertsey Meads. Follow the road all the way through the site until you reach a stile at the end. Climb over this and turn right. After fifty yards this track joints another crossing at right angles to it, marked with a three finger footpath sign. Turn left passing the end of a ditch after approximately 150 yards. Head towards the three electricity pylons, walking under the central pylon, taking care not to alarm the grazing cows. In spring this field also contains some lovely Cow slips and Lady’s Smock.
This site was last updated 09 Mar 2008 |
