Events

Launch event for Guildford Walkfest 2021 at The Swan, Ash Vale

1st September 2021, 10:30 - 13:00

Guildford Walkfest 2021 Launch                at The Swan, Ash Vale

Date: 1 September 2021

Time: Arrive 10.15am for 10.30am start finish around  1.00pm

Meet: The Swan, 2 Hutton Rd, Ash Vale, Aldershot GU12 5HA

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Join the Chairman of Guildford Walkfest (Chris Howard), Mayor of Guildford (Cllr Marsha Moseley) and Chairman of the Surrey Hills Society (Gordon Jackson) for the launch of this year’s festival of free walks in the borough of Guildford.

The current Mayor of Guildford is based in Ash Vale so it gives us an excuse to hold our launch event for Guildford Walkfest 2021 in a new location. The actual launch will be low key and will take place in the grounds of The Swan pub right beside the Basingstoke Canal.
Following the obligatory photo shoot, we will then gather in the pub garden for refreshments and to check in for our first walk of the festival.
We will be following the canal for about half a mile towards Ash Vale station. We will then cross the water and head onto the edge of Ash Ranges. Although a large part of the heath is a live firing range and hence closed to the public for much of the year, a good surface path has been laid outside the fence line to make the area accessible at all times. We will walk through this open wooded heath for about 1.3 miles to reach the more urban section by Ash Wharf. Crossing the water again we will then stroll along the towpath until we arrive back at the bridge just beside the Swan pub.

Well behaved dogs welcome on leads.  This walk is not suitable for children or those with mobility challenges.

The event is free, open to all moderately fit walkers but must be booked using the brown button below.

For those wishing to use public transport, Ash Vale railway station is a 10 minute walk away from The Swan.

By car, the easiest access is via the B3411 Vale Road and (from the Ash Wharf direction) turning right into Heath Vale Bridge Road. The Swan is beside the canal bridge a short distance along Heath Vale Bridge Road where it meets Hutton Road. There is ample car parking at the pub. Toilets available at the pub.

On the day mobile phone – 07879 841000.

For further details and enquiries, contact info@surreyhillssociety.org

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