Walk 25th January 2016 Silent Pool - NDW - Shere - Albury

Start point:- TQ060485
Distance 10.9 km, 6.77miles. Time taken 2 hours 24 minutes
Route :-

Silent Pool CP - Fox Way - Hollister Farm - Netley Heath - Gravelhill Gate - Hawkhurst Downs - Beggars Lane - Southbrook Farm - Towerhill Farm - Gomshall - Cycle Route 22 - Shere Church - Silver Wood - Albury Church - CP

Good sunny morning really mild 12C. This walk is sighting walk for one I shall be leading for Mole Valley Rambers on Wednesday 3rd February 2016. The route goes up from the car park follows Fox way to the hill top and follows North Downs Way (NDW) dropping down Beggars Lane and along to Albury church. Beggars Lane is chalky so potentially slippery following rain. After leaving the NDW the path to Beggars Lane was quite muddy, but referring to the OS Maps there may be an alternative route taking a path down to Hackhurst Farm.
The walk goes through parts of Gomshall, Shere and Albury church with it's rose window. The church built by Henry Drummond - The Catholic Apostolic church near to Albury Park about a mile from an old Saxon church in the grounds. Within five years of his buying the mansion in Albury Park in 1819 Drummond had gathered about him a group of associates to examine and discuss the teachings of the charismatic Scottish preacher, Edward Irving. Irving's interpretation of the Book of Revelation, which excited wide interest at the time, was later to evolve into the doctrines which were to distinguish him from his Presbyterian origins and, eventually, to his establishing a distinct church. The interior is rectangular under a single span roof. The Rose Window was designed by Augustus Welby Pugin. The windows in the north and south transepts were designed by Drummond's younger daughter, Lady Rokewode Gage. There is some fine woodcarving by the local craftsman Anthony Browne.

Shere church dates from Norman times, of ironstone rubble with sandstone buttresses, restored in 1895 by S. Weatherley. By the north chancel wall there is a 14th-century quatrefoil window and squint - belonging to Anchorite Cell. There is 14th-century glass in the east window and the chancel fittings were renewed in 1956 by Louis Osman.

Shere has a checkered past, was for a time one of the wildest in Surrey: sheep-stealers, smugglers, and poachers found a refuge in these remote hills. Some of the cottages have, still existing, very large cellars (excavated easily in the sandy hill), stated to have been by H.E. Malden "far too large for any honest purpose, and were no doubt made for storing smuggled goods till they could be conveniently taken on to London"

Shere has been called one of the most beautiful villages in England, with many painters either living there or painting. Including Lewis Pinhorn Wood (1839 - 1918), and Benjamin Williams Leader (1831 - 1923). A spiritual healer Harry Edwards (1893 - 1976) lived in Shere founding his spiritual sanctuary at Burrows Lea in the east of the parish.

There are many old buildings in this area, well worth a look as you walk past

Met an 86 year old man near Albury church who had walked marathon distances but now finding distances harder to accomplish. Best policy is to keep walking no matter what age!