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Winkworth Arboretum

1.55 miles (2.5 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap Enjoy a series of woodland walking trails in this beautiful arboretum in Godalming. The area is run by the National Trust so there are very good facilities including a free car park and a tea room. In the woods you will find over 1,000 different shrubs and trees with many rare species. These include magnolias, bluebells, azaleas, rhododendron and holly. There are also large landscaped garden lakes, an attractive boathouse and lovely carved benches with animal figures.
There are three colour coded, waymarked trails to try:- a blue 'Access for All' walk, a yellow 'Taste of Winkworth' walk and a red 'Challenging' walk. Look out for wildlife such as herons, green woodpecker and cormorants.
It's a great place to spend a peaceful afternoon, particularly in autumn when the woods look spectacular.
If you'd like to continue your walking in the area then you could head to the nearby River Wey Navigation and enjoy a waterside stroll along the towpath from Godalming.
Just over a mile to the south west is another fine National Trust owned area. Hydon's Ball and Hydon Heath have a waymarked footoath taking you to the Octavia Hill memorial seat where there are splendid views over the Surrey Hills. You can follow footpaths from the arboretum through Busbridge Woods and the Juniper Valley to reach the site.

Postcode

GU8 4AD - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Winkworth Arboretum OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Winkworth Arboretum Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Dog Walking

The site is a lovely place for a dog walk though you are asked to keep them on leads.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Both the Hambleden Walk and the Chiddingfold Walk visit the site from the nearby villages. They are both worth a visit with the latter including a village green, a beautiful landscaped open garden and one of the oldest pubs in England.
In nearby Hascombe you can enjoy a climb to Hascombe Hill. Here you will find an ancient Iron Age Hillfort and a photogenic stone circle built by the Megalithic Order of Druids in 1995/97.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Surrey Walks and the Surrey Hills Walks pages.

Photos

Winkworth Arboretum - geograph.org.uk - 2826

 Winkworth Arboretum in full autumn colour

Azaleas at Winkworth Arboretum. - geograph.org.uk - 136575

Azaleas. These are on the steps leading up from the pond and are a great spring attraction to gardeners and tourists.

Lake at Winkworth Arboretum - geograph.org.uk - 1165818

The one remaining lake at the site. The second lake, beyond the distant boathouse, has now been drained to form a wetland area.

Steps to The Bowl, Winkworth Arboretum - geograph.org.uk - 1285790

Steps to The Bowl. At the southern end of Winkworth Arboretum one of the pathways that drops down from the upper level to The Bowl

Tea rooms, Winkworth Arboretum - geograph.org.uk - 253782

Tea rooms. Inside and outside seating with a gift shop.

Winkworth Farm - geograph.org.uk - 100266

Winkworth Farm. Winkworth Farmhouse has a timber-framed central section could date back to ca. 1565 but 1580-1600 is a good guide. Side extensions were added ca. 1775. Remodelling has since occurred, notably by architect Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1895.
Terrace and garden were designed by Gertrude Jekyll. Today's landscaped front garden is styled on an Elizabethan knot garden.
The farm house has had famous 20th Century owners, notably creator of neighbouring Winkworth Arboretum, Dr Wilfrid Fox, and wildlife artist & conservationist, David Shepherd.
Extensive grounds surround the farm. The farm name could come from Richard de Wynkworthe of Hascombe Manor, in the 14th Century.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Winkworth Arboretum.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Winkworth Arboretum.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)