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Merrow Downs

Merrow Downs

Highlight • Natural

Merrow Downs

Name: Merrow Downs
Rating: 2

Recommended by 12 hikers

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Surrey Hills National Landscape

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Location: Surrey, South East England, England, United Kingdom

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Best Hikes to Merrow Downs

4.5

(2)

hikers

1. Merrow Downs to Newlands Corner loop

5.33km

01:29

100m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

4.4

(7)

hikers

2. St Martha's Church – View of Albury from The Roughs loop from Guildford

14.4km

03:58

250m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.6

(8)

hikers

3. St Martha's Church – View of Albury from The Roughs loop from Albury

9.19km

02:34

170m

180m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

Tips

Grace Mulligan

June 14, 2023

Merrow Downs is an open area of common space situated on the eastern edge of Guildford in Surrey.

The downs feature rolling hills, open grasslands, and scattered woodlands, and are home to a variety of wildlife including fox, deer, and numerous bird species. You'll be treated to some beautiful scenery of the surrounding countryside whilst you're here, so pull up a picnic blanket and enjoy the views.

Mark Saunders

August 11, 2023

Merrow Downs is a delightful year-round recreational area for walking, cycling and running. This lovely chalk downland receives over 100,000 visits per year.

The areas of Merrow Downs open to the public include the sizeable grass downland to the west of the Guildford Golf Course, the footpaths that cross and border Guildford Golf Course, and parts of The Roughs that extend up towards Newlands Corner. Guildford Golf Course is described as ‘Surrey’s hidden gem’ with its pristine rolling downland fairways and its panoramic views that extend to Wembley Arch and Canary Wharf.

Merrow Downs has a fascinating history. Between 1701 and 1870 it was the site of the Guildford Horse Race Course where flat and jump races were held over a two mile circuit. During World War II it was the site of a prisoner of war camp where 880 Italian troops captured in North Africa were held, followed later by German prisoners transported from the USA and Canada.

One of the most popular trails for hiking, running and cycling on Merrow Downs is a 5 km circuit from near the Guildford Golf Course carpark up to Newlands Corner and back. You will see fantastic countryside and panoramas, ancient (950-years old) yew trees and, if you are lucky, even roe deer!

John VH

June 25, 2022

Beautiful walk across open spaces looking at the views

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Details

Informations

Elevation 110 m

Weather

Today

Friday 26 December

6°C

1°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 18.0 km/h

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See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Surrey, South East England, England, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Ferry Lane Bridge over the River Wey

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View from Pewley Down

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North Downs Way Woodland

St Martha's Church

View of the Valley from St Martha-on-the-Hill

Shere Ford and Wooden Bridge

View of Guildford from The Mount

Merrow Downs

1. Merrow Downs to Newlands Corner loop

2. St Martha's Church – View of Albury from The Roughs loop from Guildford

3. St Martha's Church – View of Albury from The Roughs loop from Albury

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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