Puttenham Area

INTRODUCTION:     This is a short "appetiser" walk - a nice introduction to walking if you are new to it, or a pleasant addition to your repertoire if you are already a walker. It takes you through sandy heathland into Puttenham and then onto farmland and through light woodland. Puttenham's known history began in 2,500 years BC in the Neolithic period when people settled there. As you complete the first mile of the walk you will see in the distance Puttenham Priory which was given by Lord of the Manor, Beatrix de Fay, to her daughter, Matilda, in 1246. The village of Puttenham has some interesting buildings - "Rosemary Cottage" 1480, "Old Cottage" 1490 and "Shoelands" which was built by Sir Nicholas Lusher in 1618. " The Good Intent" PH paid the very last dues to the Lord of the Manor in 1925.

LENGTH OF WALK: 3½ miles (5.6 km)
START: "Top Car Park" Puttenham Common, Suffield Lane. GR 921461.
MAP: OS Explorer 145
REFRESHMENTS: "The Good Intent" inn, Puttenham

1.     Make sure you are in the right car park. It has a sign showing it to be the "Top Car Park" of Puttenham Common - Surrey County Council. Having parked, turn your back on the view of Crooksbury, Hankley Common and nearer parts of Surrey spread out before you and walk about 80 yards (72m) towards a wood bounded by a chestnut paling fence until reaching a sandy track. 50 yards (45m) or so to your R is a BWSP pointing towards you. Turn L up the track with fence and wood on your R. After 1/2 mile (792m ) there is a house with no apparent name on your R.

2.     There is a parting of the way 100 yards (90m) on (just past another house on the R) with a WP. Go straight on 20 yards to a FPSP and through a WOODLAND TRUST KG into 200 yards (180m) of pleasant woodland, then 100 yards (90 m) between fences and across a drive to a S. Go over it into a small field and straight across 100 yards (90m) to another S. Over that and it is 200 yards (180m) across another field to a FPSP at a lane. Turn half R down it. The first mile (1.6km) is complete at LOWER LASCOMBE on the R and a FPSP on the L. Keep on down the lane and if the weather is decent enjoy a distant view, slightly to the R ahead, of the handsome Palladian front of PUTTENHAM PRIORY, dating from 1248 and one owner of which, Sir James Oglethorpe, founded the colony of Georgia.

3.     After 400 yards (360m) there is a BWSP and a 2 armed North Downs Way SP where a lane comes in from the L. Keep straight on for 150 yards (135m) past another 2 armed NDWSP and on through the delightful village of Puttenham. "THE GOOD INTENT" inn is on the L after ¼ mile (396m) and the church ahead but to continue the walk you must turn R down SUFFIELD LANE just past the inn and go 50 yards (45m ) to a FPSP and S at a FG on the L. Go over and straight on into a field along a fence on the L, over another S after ¼ mile (396m) and straight on between fences with a wood on the R. It is 250 yards (225m) to two more S then over these into a field, pleasant open country, and on along a fence on the R. After 400 yards (360m) the fence turns L, turn L with it 20 yards to a S on the R (2 miles (3.2km)). Turn R over it and go down across another field in the direction indicated by a notice with arrow on the large oak tree to the R of the S. Your line should gradually converge with the fence off to the R reaching a S in it after 200 yards (180m). Once over that S and beyond the fence on the R bear R down the slope aiming just to the L of a boggy area but still bearing R follow the line of the hedge on the R. After 400 yards (360m) in all you will come to a S at a FG and FPSP.

4.     Go over the S and turn R down a road 180 yards (162m) to a FPSP and S at a metal FG on the R. Turn R over the S and straight on over a  yards (45m) to another S and me (45m) to another S go over a SLEEPER BRIDGE 50 yards (45m) to another S and metal FG.  Go over the S and between fences, 50 yards (45m) to another S, go over that and in 20 yards turn right and go to field boundary on right.  Then at field boundary turn left and keep walking by field fence on your right.  Keep walking along this field and you will come to area of fences both sides of path till you reach a kissing gate.  Proceed through the gate and walking between banks for 150 yards (135m) to a WP.   From here go slightly R then straight on down passing two waymark posts, keeping to the right till you come to a third waymark post at junction with a track.  At this point turn L down it for 20 yards to a further WP and then turn R up two steps past a house on the R 50 yards (45m) to a FPSP and road.  Turn R across the road to the car park.  Nearly 3½ miles (5.6km).

This walk was contributed by Vic Cole, Footpath Secretary from 1976