Surrey Hills1 July 20266 min read

Five dog-friendly walks around Guildford and the Surrey Hills

A dog on The Mount above Guildford, with the cathedral and the town beyond

Guildford is a lucky place to have a dog. The town sits in a fold of the Surrey Hills where the River Wey cuts through the chalk of the North Downs, which means green space is never more than a few minutes away, whether you want a flat riverside amble or a proper climb with a view at the top. These are five of my favourite dog walks in and around the town, the ones I come back to again and again with the dogs in my care.

Maja walking three dogs on lead along a quiet Guildford lane — Out on the rounds with a small group.

A quick word before you set off. Much of this countryside is grazed, so keep an eye out for cattle and sheep, and pop the lead on around livestock and near the roads and locks. Take water in the warmer months, especially up on the open downs where there is little shade, and bags for the obvious. Now, the walks.

Shalford Park and the Wey water meadows

Just south of the town centre, Shalford Park opens onto the water meadows along the River Wey, and it is the walk I recommend for easy days: flat, gentle, and green, with the river for company. You can pick up the towpath of the old Wey Navigation here and follow it as far as you like, past grazing meadows and willow, with plenty of room for a dog to potter and sniff.

It suits everyone: older dogs, young families, anyone after a stroll rather than a slog. There is parking and a cafe or two nearby for afterwards. On a bright morning, with the mist lifting off the meadows, it is hard to beat so close to town.

Open green parkland at Shalford, just south of Guildford — Wide open space at Shalford, a few minutes south of the centre.

The Mount and the Hog's Back

For a walk that earns its view, head up onto The Mount on the south-western edge of Guildford. The climb is steady rather than steep, and the reward is one of the best outlooks over the town, with the cathedral standing proud on its own hill opposite and the whole of Guildford laid out below.

From the top you can join the North Downs Way and carry on along the ridge towards the Hog's Back, the long chalk spine that runs west towards Farnham, with far-reaching views to the south the whole way. This is one for a dog with energy to burn, and for a walker who does not mind a hill. Firm underfoot in summer, though it can get muddy after rain.

The view over Guildford from The Mount — Looking out over Guildford from The Mount.

Pewley Down

On the other side of town, a short pull up Pewley Hill brings you out onto Pewley Down, a stretch of open chalk downland that feels a world away from the streets just behind you. It is common land, freely open, and in summer the grassland comes alive with wildflowers and butterflies. The views south towards the Weald are wonderful.

The down is often grazed to keep the chalk grassland healthy, so it is a lead-on spot when the cattle are out. Otherwise it is glorious open space, big skies and soft turf, and a firm favourite of mine when a dog needs room to really stretch its legs.

Open chalk downland and long views south from Pewley Down — The open downland and the view south from Pewley Down.

The towpath to St Catherine's Lock

For a shadier, watery walk on a hot day, follow the Wey Navigation towpath south from the town towards St Catherine's Lock. The path runs level beside the river the whole way, dappled with shade, past the old lock with its white balance beams and the little chain ferry, beneath the sandy bluff of St Catherine's Hill with its ruined medieval chapel on top.

It is a gentle, pretty stretch, and a good one for dogs who like a paddle, though do watch the current near the lock and the weir. You can turn back at the lock for a comfortable outing, or keep going towards Shalford and make a longer loop of it.

The tree-lined River Wey on the towpath near Guildford — The Wey, on the towpath south of the town.

The Castle Grounds and Millmead

Right in the middle of town there is still a proper green walk to be had. Start in the Castle Grounds, the floral gardens wrapped around Guildford's old Norman keep, opened to the public back in 1888 and planted afresh every year. It is a pretty, gentle spot a few minutes from the High Street, with lawns, benches, and the keep looking down over it all. Dogs are welcome on the lead.

From there it is a short stroll down to the River Wey at Millmead Lock, one of my favourite corners of town. The lock, the weir, and the open riverside greens make an easy, pretty loop, with the Alice sculptures nodding to Lewis Carroll, who knew this stretch of the river well. Keep the lead on around the gardens, the roads, and the water, and you have a handy green walk in the heart of Guildford that needs no car at all.

The River Wey at Millmead Lock in Guildford on a bright winter morning — The river at Millmead Lock, a few minutes from the High Street.

Part of the pleasure of walking dogs here is knowing which spot suits which day: the meadows for a gentle morning, the downs when there is energy to burn, the river when it is hot. I am out across these walks most days, in small groups so every dog gets proper attention. If your dog could use a good walk while you are busy, I would love to help.

Two dogs on lead leading the way along a path near the river in Guildford — Two of the regulars, leading the way.