Fascinating Farnham - The Walks

Farnham in Surrey is a pretty Georgian market town, some thirty-five miles or just under an hour from London on one of the main train lines from Waterloo. This closeness makes it a commuter town, with all the advantages and disadvantages that distinction brings. However, my deep-seated love of walking in open spaces and Farnham's proximity to both the North Downs in Surrey and the green fields of Hampshire attracted me here more than anything else.

I wrote the book 'Fascinating Farnham' earlier this year looking at some local stories and telling the thrilling parts for everyone to read. But readers wanted more...

Fellow walkers asked me for routes linking the fascinating subjects, mixed in with the stories. I pondered that suggestion but realised the resulting book would lose some of its qualities, and it was long enough already! The answer was obvious - a new book. 'Fascinating Farnham - The Walks' was born.

I have taken some of my favourite local hikes and described them in detail. I am not claiming that one could walk the routes using only this book (like a Pennine Way walker using only Wainwright's guide), but this is an enchiridion. All the walks are shown on the Ordnance Survey Explorer maps 144, 145 and OL33. However, I always find that the particular trail I want to walk is on the fold or a join, so I prefer to use a mobile phone app that has the added advantage of showing you exactly where you are. Practical advice says always take a paper map and compass with you in case of phone problems.

Surrey and Hampshire are filled with the most glorious countryside, but that does not mean they are the same. Around Farnham, as an average, Surrey is more hilly and slightly wilder (in Surrey terms). Hampshire, on the other hand, tends more to farmland with fields bursting forth seasonal crops. Walking in both is very pleasant, and I enjoy the variety. The counties are crisscrossed by long-distance footpaths - The North Downs Way to Dover, the St Swithun's Way to Winchester and the Greensand Way to Haslemere to our south or Hamstreet in Kent to the east.

This book looks at a variety of routes that cater for almost everyone. The longest trail is eleven miles 'downhill' from Hindhead, picking up the story of the unknown sailor, the wigwam murder and the Atlantic Wall. The shorter walks, around three to five miles, include a valley walk to Moor Park and another up on the heights of Caesar's Camp. Finally, I have offered town walks around Farnham, picking up the stories right on our doorstep.

I hope you enjoy this companion guide to my previous book and enjoy the walks I have devised for you.