Tillingbourne Tales Trails

16 miles split into 6 walks along the Tillingbourne River.

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This Heritage Lottery Funded (HLF) project focuses on the wonderful and unique industrial heritage of the Tillingbourne Valley, encouraging the villages along the valley to research and record its unique industrial past that has stamped its character on their communities.

The Tillingbourne, situated in the Surrey Hills, was one of the most industrialized river valleys in 17th century England. Much of its milling had origins since at least the time of Domesday in 1086, with some of its production (such as gunpowder at Chilworth) of national importance up until the First World War.

Stretching from its source at Leith Hill to where the river converges with the Wey at Shalford, the Tillingbourne’s 11 miles of constant flow led to centuries of exploitation. With approximately 50 water wheels at its height, powering 24 known mills and supporting 12 different industries at various periods in time, including weaving, tanning, iron-working, paper-milling and gunpowder production, the valley’s idyllic landscape holds a significant legacy of cultural heritage.

Interactive StoryMap

Find out more about the unique features of the Tillingbourne river and scroll down to discover the 6 circular walks through Shalford, Chilworth, Albury, Shere, Gomshall, Abinger and Wotton.

In a landscape as tranquil as the Tillingbourne Valley is today, it is difficult to imagine the time when gunpowder blasts would periodically shake foundations, effluents from manufacturing would fill the river course, air would be difficult to breathe from smoke and pollutants, and the hills would be stripped and barren. However, with the study of landscape history, where visible features, archaeological and ecological evidence, and documentary records all meet, it is possible to glean a picture of the societies and productive forces that impacted upon the valley so intensely.

Learn more about the nationally important landscape of the Tillingbourne Valley in the Surrey Hills, whose constant flow of water drove its mills and their industries over the centuries. Although unique in their own way, the communities along the valley bottom all supported this diverse working landscape, creating a breath-taking area today which is a popular place to both live and visit.

“I do not remember to have seen such Variety of Mills and Works upon so narrow a Brook, and in so little a Compass; there being Mills for Corn, Cloth, Brass, Iron, Powder etc.” – John Evelyn, 1676

Tillingbourne mills (24 in total), from Peter Brandon’s 2005 ‘The North Downs’

Although only a small river, the combined waters of the Tillingbourne and its tributaries have a constant flow and steep gradient, making it ideal for the driving of waterwheels. As a result, a number of corn mills and later industrial sites have developed along the river over the centuries, numbering 24 in total (though not all in working condition at any one time).

Read about the various mills and mill sites across the valley, and discover more about their history and development.

Click here to download a map of the history of the mills.

“This valley, which seems to have been created by a bountiful providence, as one of the choicest retreats of man; which seems formed for a scene of innocence and happiness, has been, by ungrateful man, so perverted as to make it instrumental in effecting…the most damnable of purposes” – William Cobbett, Dorking 30 November 1822, Rural Rides (1830)

The Tillingbourne Valley has long stood-out as a major industrial centre, originating in the medieval cloth trade and later evolving into other forms of manufacture. From the early middle ages, when the river was lined with corn and fulling mills, to the water-wheel’s expanded use in the 16th and 17th centuries, driving trip-hammers for iron, brass and wire and powering wheels for the making of gunpowder and paper, the Tillingbourne has a long history of human ingenuity and engineering.

Learn about the industrial history of the Tillingbourne Valley, which supported at least 12 different industries throughout its known centuries of exploitation: corn production, fulling, gunpowder manufacturing, paper and bank note-making, wire-making, wood-milling, pumping, leather manufacturing, blacksmithing, copper-beating, weaving – many of which survived into the modern day.

A range of people have contributed to the unique heritage of the Tillingbourne Valley…from the early millers of Doomsday to the historians and archaeologists who still study them today!

Discover more about the everyday lives of other workers and estate owners in the valley.

Listen to the stories of the residents living today along the Tillingbourne and share their memories in the videos in the interactive map above.

As part of the project’s outreach programme, volunteers representing the villages in the Tillingbourne Valley have been undertaking research into their local mills, exploring their function, history and social significance. In particular, each village has been researching the life of one historical figure who represents its chosen main industry. For example, a corn miller has been selected for Shalford, a gunpowder worker for Chilworth, a weaver for Shere, a tanner for Gomshall, etc.

By being supplemented with social history of the time (what they ate, how they dressed, what village life was like at that time, etc), these histories are able to be crafted into ‘character tales’. By employing both a professional storyteller and local artist, each character is transformed into a caricature figure, and later puppet, who will visit the local schools and events in the region, telling their tale up and down the valley.

The character tales are one of the key ways to engage with the general public and with family groups. However, they also play a key role in representing what life, and industrial work in particular, would have been like during their respective period. The variety of occupations and range of periods represented, from the 16th right up to the mid-20th century, provide an eclectic insight into English modern history.

Just as the individuality of today’s villages along the Tillingbourne should not be overlooked, neither should one generalize about what a mill was like in the industrial age – discover more about the different industries which are represented along the valley, and hear the characters draw out the Tillingbourne’s unique character by listening to the tales they have to tell.

Shalford Trail – 3 miles, circular

This heritage trail takes in the most western of the Tillingbourne villages, scenic Shalford, on the banks of the River Wey. Explore the ins and outs of the original settlement, including Shalford Mill and the church of St Mary, before continuing through the meadows and along the Wey itself, absorbing both the beautiful countryside and historic monuments of the area.

Shalford station, GU4 8BZ

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Shalford station, GU4 8BZ

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There is limited parking at Shalford station

Shalford station, GU4 8BZ

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Toilets No There are no toilets at Shalford station, however there are hospitality venues along the route with their own facilities.
Seating Yes
Gates / Audit in progress
Stiles / Audit in progress
Terrain / Audit in progress. This route has some uneven ground
Incline / Audit in progress. This route has small inclines.
Waymarked No

Download the printable route map

Chilworth Trail – 3 miles, circular

This heritage trail takes in the extensive site of the Gunpowder Works at Chilworth, which boasts possibly the most prominent (and famous) remains of the Tillingbourne mills. Explore not only the gentle series of paths within the Middle and Upper Works, as far as Waterloo Pond, but also the spectacular views from high atop St Martha’s Hill.

Vera’s path, GU4 8NP (to the left of Chilworth C of E School)

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Chilworth station, GU4 8QN (2 min walk)

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There is no parking at Chilworth station, please make alternative arrangements if coming by car.

Toilets No There are no toilets at Chilworth station.
Seating / There are limited seating opportunities along this route.
Gates / Audit in progress
Stiles / Audit in progress
Terrain / Audit in progress. This route has some uneven ground
Incline Yes Audit in progress. This route has some steep inclines.
Waymarked No

Download the printable route map

Albury Trail – 2.5 miles, circular

This heritage trail takes in the distinctive Tillingbourne village of Albury, famous for its relocation a mile to the west in the 18th century. Explore its unique village architecture before meandering through Albury Park itself, a scenic parkland which combines medieval churches, landscaped gardens and woodland, all on the edge of the beautiful Albury Heath.

St Peter’s & St Paul’s Church, Albury, GU5 9AJ

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Chilworth station, GU4 8QN (30 min walk)

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The Drummond bus stop, GU5 9AB (4 min walk)

No. 32 Compass Bus operating an hourly service Guildford to Redhill. Please check before travel and subject to change.

There are no car parks in Albury village, please make alternative arrangements if coming by car.

Toilets No
Seating / There are limited seating opportunities along this route.
Gates / Audit in progress
Stiles / Audit in progress
Terrain / Audit in progress. This route has some uneven ground
Incline Yes Audit in progress. This route has some steep inclines.
Waymarked No

Download the printable route map

Shere Trail – 3 miles, circular

This heritage trail takes in the beautiful and popular village of Shere, one of the valley’s best preserved historic communities. Explore not only the many intricacies of the village itself, but also the gentle walk through the fields to Albury Park and back, following the course of the Tillingbourne and taking in the historic churches, houses and river features (both natural and manmade) along the way.

Shere village car park, GU5 9HE

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Gomshall station, GU5 9NU (20 min walk)

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Village Hall bus stop, GU5 9HB (2 min walk)

No. 32 Compass Bus operating an hourly service Guildford to Redhill. Please check before travel and subject to change.

Shere village car park, GU5 9HE

What3Words ///enter.enjoyable.trials

Toilets No
Seating / There are limited seating opportunities along this route.
Gates / Audit in progress
Stiles / Audit in progress
Terrain / Audit in progress. This route has some uneven ground
Incline Yes Audit in progress. This route has some steady inclines.
Waymarked No

Download the printable route map

Gomshall Trail – 2.5 miles, circular

This heritage trail takes in the scenic village of Gomshall, set in the heart of 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 station, GU5 9NU

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Gomshall station, GU5 9NU

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Gomshall station, GU5 9NU (20 min walk)

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Toilets No There are no toilets at Gomshall station.
Seating / There are limited seating opportunities along this route.
Gates / Audit in progress
Stiles / Audit in progress
Terrain / Audit in progress. This route has some uneven ground
Incline / Audit in progress. This route has some gentle inclines.
Waymarked No

Download the printable route map

Abinger Trail – 2 miles, circular

This heritage trail takes in the idyllic village of Abinger Hammer, situated in the heart of the Tillingbourne Valley. Explore the sites of the former mills and historic houses in and around the village, taking in the scenic fields and country roads which run through what was once a booming and thriving industrial landscape.

Centre of Abinger Hammer village, RH5 6RX

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Gomshall station, GU5 9NU (15 min walk)

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Clockhouse bus stop, RH5 6RX

No. 32 Compass Bus operating an hourly service Guildford to Redhill. Please check before travel and subject to change.

Limited parking in a small village car park. Gomshall station has some parking.

Toilets No
Seating / There are limited seating opportunities along this route.
Gates / Audit in progress
Stiles / Audit in progress
Terrain / Audit in progress. This route has some uneven ground
Incline / Audit in progress. This route has some gentle inclines.
Waymarked No

Download the printable route map

Wotton Trail – 3 miles, circular

This heritage trail takes in the sprawling wooded paths around Wotton House, one of the valley’s most popular former country houses. Explore the historic milling hamlets and garden features of the area, including the ornamental cascade at Broadmoor, taking in the scenic countryside, woodland and millponds along the way.

Wotton Hatch pub, RH5 6QQ

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Gomshall station, GU5 9NU (2.5 miles)

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Wotton Hatch bus stop, RH5 6QQ (exact start point)

No. 32 Compass Bus operating an hourly service Guildford to Redhill. Please check before travel and subject to change.

Toilets No There are facilities at the Wotton Hatch pub for guests of the pub only.
Seating / There are limited seating opportunities along this route.
Gates / Audit in progress
Stiles / Audit in progress
Terrain / Audit in progress. This route has some uneven ground
Incline / Audit in progress. This route has some steady inclines.
Waymarked No

Download the printable route map

OS map – coming soon

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