This heritage trail takes in the scenic village of Gomshall, set in the heart of TILLINGBOURNE TRAILS the Valley. Explore the historic houses, milling sites and tannery buildings within the village as you walk along the Tillingbourne, before absorbing the beautiful open countryside and wooded paths as you walk into the hills. Gomshall Length 4 km Duration approx. 1.5 hours Easy level of difficulty
For more details, download the printable pdf (www.tillingbournetales.co.uk/places/trails) START from Gomshall station car park (GU5 9NX), off of the Follow Towerhill until it bends right. A25. Straight ahead is a narrow footpath (Towerhill Lane), marked Shere Millennium Trail, which you follow. START
Follow the road back towards the A25, At the T junction at the top of the hill and turn right at the T junction, (turn right for a few yards for the view of walking towards the village. the North Downs Way at the back of the field, but then go back), turn left and stay on the bridle path.
There was a corn mill at Gomshall from the time of Domesday in 1086, probably at the same site as the current mill building, though it was re-built extensively in the following centuries. By the 18th century it housed four corn mills, making it one of the most important corn-milling sites in the area, but by 1953 it was closed, remaining derelict After 100 yards the path turns right, until its conversion to a restaurant and antique shop a decade later. eventually coming out onto the top of a hill. Continue along, looking for two stout wooden posts marking a diagonal Walk along the pavement, passing such path across the field on your left. historic buildings as Gomshall Mill and Cross the field, and continue on this path the Tillingbourne itself. Cross over to the through the next field, where the path south side of the road at the crossing by starts to ascend. the Compass Inn. (*note there may be parked cars on the pavement, and you At the top of the field you will meet may need to cross beforehand*) another path, where you turn left and immediately meet another path on your right (but keep left on the main path). Turn right, continuing along the A25 You will pass a large house and garden until you reach the petrol station. On on your right. the left, look out for Tanyard Hall, which is one of the few remaining buildings from the Tannery, as well as the Victorian cottages fronting the After about 250 yards you will come to a street. tarmac road on the right. Turn left onto Walking route the gravel drive with a house on the left, onto the public footpath.
Continue on Queen Street, following © License No. 100019613 Walk down the hill, as the path widens Turn left onto The King John House, Towerhill Manor out and eventually veers to the left formerly known as the Old the Tillingbourne on the right (*be Queen Street, was described in around Southbrook Copse, then right at Tannery House, is mainly careful as there is no footpath for a 1568 as ‘a house passing the Southbrook House. King John Jacobean in date, built by section*). At the top of the hill at the within a motte’, the Bignold family of House on the T junction, turn left onto High View. with much of the tanners around 1620. At the bottom of the hill you will meet ‘Path corner. rear open hall However, timber-framing house still of this 22’, but ignore this and stay on the main track in the interior may date to date. Likely built which bends right and passes over the the early 16th century, by the first Sir Tillingbourne again to meet the A25. disproving the tradition that Follow the road to the bottom of Edward Bray, it the house was built after was occupied by Turn left under the railway bridge and cross- the hill, and turn right under the the London Great Plague the Bray family over the A25, returning back to the Start of 1665 from hide profits. railway bridge, onto Towerhill. until 1803. Point at Gomshall station.
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Wildlife of the Tillingbourne
Get involved Despite the tranquil beauty of the Tillingbourne, recent investigations by the Environment Agency showed its ecological status is still in need of improvement. The Surrey Wildlife Trust’s River Search project teaches volunteers to manage invasive Kingfisher non-native species during conservation action days, in The kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is a small colourful bird order to survey, monitor and improve the river habitat over time. which is distinctive for its bright blue back, copper breast and black beak (the female with an orangey-red To find out more, visit www.surreywildlifetrust.org patch at its base).
The kingfishers’ main habitat is along rivers and streams, where they can often be seen sitting quietly on low-hanging branches over the water, able to dive in suddenly for small fish. TILLINGBOURNE TRAILS
With a lifespan of about two The Surrey Hills Society is an independent charity years, kingfishers breed near which encourages people to explore, protect and lowland watercourses which enhance the local landscape, including that of the have suitable banks for burrowing nests and shallow Tillingbourne. In order to do this, volunteers are edges for feeding. needed to help organise and support walks, talks and events for members, as well as various conservation Gomshall projects within the AONB.
The Surrey Wildlife Trust manages almost 8,000 For more info, see www.surreyhills.org/society hectares of land in Surrey (5% of the county) with the aim of creating a better future for the Other links Explore more than 4km of historic local wildlife, and for the enjoyment of local Shere Parish Council - people. sites and scenic countryside, www.shereparishcouncil.gov.uk To get involved, whether through volunteering, Surrey Hills AONB - www.surreyhills.org including one of the most donating or adopting species to protect, please Surrey Heritage (Exploring Surrey’s Past) - complete Tillingbourne mills find out more and visit www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/ www.surreywildlifetrust.org Tillingbourne Tales HLF project - 1st edition 2016 www.tillingbournetales.co.uk