We’re now well into the summer and it’s time to start making the most of those sunny weekends because they’ll turn to wet and windy ones all too soon.
One way to guarantee you make the most of a day is with a scenic ramble through the countryside, with a pub as your final destination.
And fortunately author Matthew Ogborn is able to provide us with some inspiration, one of many walks taken from his new book Surrey Pub Walks.
Below he outlines an idyllic walk to The Rambler’s Rest near Coulsdon.
“After I agreed to write Surrey Pub Walks with my publisher Countryside Books, we tried to spread the walks as much as possible around the county I have always proudly called home.
“It was a tricky balancing act trying to find award-winning, community and historic pubs sprinkled around the length and breadth of Surrey that boasted beautiful countryside for all ages to enjoy.
“One of the easier choices, though, was the pub walk in Coulsdon nearest to where I grew up and one, I rediscovered on a fun trip out with my dad and my son.
“The Rambler's Rest itself is a lively pub, bar, and restaurant that has a large garden backing on to the charming Banstead Woods and Chipstead Downs Nature Reserve.
“You can make your way there via neighbouring Banstead, Chipstead or Kingswood and park at the back of the pub.
“Easy enough in gradient for all the family, there is a footpath to begin the walk that is no trouble to find at the back of the car park heading up alongside the wooded area that once served as a deer park for royalty like King Edward I and II.
“There are places to stop and take in the view or sit down for a breather before you enter the woods properly where oak, ash and hazel trees dominate and shrubs such as field maple and goat willow are dotted around with carpets of bluebells covering the ground in spring.
“What marks this particular walk out in an unexpected way is the brilliant Narnia trail that all the generations can enjoy, which takes you through the middle part of the walk to the scenic homeward stretch back to the pub.
Readers of the Surrey Comet and Your Local Guardian can get 20% off Surrey Pub Walks when ordering through the Countryside Books website. Just visit the following link and enter COMET20 at checkout: bit.ly/surreywalks
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