The Chalk Country
map guildford farnham
sandy track
sandy track
damn silly game, this...
damn silly game, this...
little common
little common
the famous ndw bench
the famous ndw bench
the last (or first) mile
the last (or first) mile

Of the last few miles, what is there to say? The ancient route along the Hog's Back is now a main road so the Way keeps to a belt of greensand south of the ridge. This final section of the North Downs Way gets you to Farnham, but it is a downland trail no more.

From my campsite I followed the undulating track west. The terrain was typical of sandy soils: heathland clothed with holly, bracken and birch, and fields of thin, wiry grass. It reminded me of bits of the New Forest.

I passed the Watts Gallery (currently closed though it should reopen in 2011) and negotiated the golf course on Puttenham Heath. Though the fairways were deserted a pair of mallards had found a use for one of the greens. A new hazard on the 14th! Eventually I emerged onto the main road near Puttenham.

Puttenham is an attractive village with a camping barn, if you're looking for somewhere to stay. It's a shame it's so close to Farnham as this type of accommodation is scarce on the North Downs Way.

From Puttenham the trail crosses Little Common. The guide book must be well out of date since the woods on the ground bear no resemblance to those printed on the map. That's my excuse anyway! I mention it because while descending Long Bottom I lost my way. After wandering for a while I reached Totford Hatch and was back on course.

The last few miles take you past exclusive dwellings set amid pine woods. In the lanes expensive cars shuttle their occupents from office to golf course. In the face of what Compton Mackenzie once described as "the smart suburbanity of Surrey" the North Downs Way twists and turns, but eventually it gets through.

At last you reach the river Wey. Though you are now on the edge of Farnham the walk has one last surprise. It curves round to the right, keeping close to the stream, until it emerges onto the road leading from the station to the town centre.

This, finally, is the end of the North Downs Way. If you arrive during opening hours you'll probably want to go into town and celebrate; and after 125 miles you will deserve to. I got there at ten in the morning and I was very tired. I celebrated with a slow walk to the station, a cup of coffee, and a long and sleepy journey home.


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