Wednesday 4th September 2024

A "final call" from Clive to lead the B group, I rose to the challenge to leave the fast & furious "A"s for just one week.

Nice to get to know a few faces, ride at a leisurely pace & explore history on our doorstep.

I was inspired by Frank Humphrey's ride from 2014 when he took his group to the Little Park Hatch on the outskirts of Cranleigh.

Used over many years by C&M, it was unknown to me that the pub was losing money & £350,000 was needed to bring it up to scratch.

The pandemic sealed it's fate but not before its owner Punch Taverns wanted to sell to Shanley Homes.

Then English Heritage intervened & "listed" the building so that it can't be demolished...."it is of historic interest with parts dating back to the late 16th or early 17th century, and ‘retains a significant proportion of its timber frame and its substantial chimney stack with ground and first-floor fireplaces’.

Christina's group (Jane F, Sue F, Fixie Dave, Lilian, Karl M, Brenda B & Arwyn) departed first from Cobham.

My group (Martin G, Sabine, Bernard, Jill H, Colin, Margaret M, Ken D & Grant) left minutes later & we re-grouped at East Clandon.

Brenda, Ken & Grant left us at various points as the ride continued up Staple Lane where a hazy London skyline was noted at the top.

The first of two cars we spotted that had left the road & hit a tree was encounted at the junction of Staple Lane & Combe Lane, the circumstances of which are unknown.

We caught Christina's group as light rain fell in Shamley Green & rode on NCN 22 briefly before joining the Downs Link at Birtley Bridge.

History

Welcome to Birtley and to this particularly lovely stretch of the old Wey and Arun Canal. Birtley is an interesting location where three transport arteries come together with the main Guildford to Horsham road, the old Guildford to Horsham railway and the old canal running virtually alongside each other. The road came first, dating right back into history but after the Bramley and Rudgwick Turnpike Act of 1757 the taking of tolls allowed proper maintenance to be introduced, so it could carry the increasing traffic levels of the 18th century. But there was no internal combustion engine at that time and everything remained horse-drawn.

Canals soon started to appear in the Midlands and North: a pack horse could pull less than a ton on a road but that same horse could pull 30 tons or more on water – it was a no-brainer! The canal through Birtley opened in 1816 connecting the River Wey in the north with the River Arun in the south. It carried produce from Sussex farms to wider markets and it carried coal and other goods into towns along its route; it also carried gunpowder from Shalford for the Navy in Portsmouth and Petworth Marble for buildings in London and a myriad other items. 

Technology then took another turn and railways started to appear. Physically squeezed between the turnpike and the canal, the railway at Birtley opened in 1865. The canal couldn’t compete and it closed in 1871, not long after the opening of the railway.

Restoration of the Old Canal

The canal is now slowly being restored by volunteers of the Wey and Arun Canal Trust – not just for boats on the water but to provide a well-maintained bridleway along its length: a ‘green corridor’ for everyone to enjoy. The canal also provides new habitats for wildlife on and in the water and along the adjoining path, generally enriching the whole environment.

Here at Birtley you will see two handsome new lift bridges and a lot of clearance has been done to open the paths up as leisure amenities for all. Further south centred on the old Sussex village of Loxwood, you can see our flagship project where a three mile stretch has been reopened for small boats and canoes – go down sometime and have a look and perhaps book yourself on one of our trip boats to see the canal from the water: you will find cream tea runs in summer and Santa cruises at Christmas.

The Scenery

Just stand back and look: take in the scenery in front of you, isn’t it wonderful? This long stretch of canal is peaceful and tranquil with tree cover allowing sunshine to glimmer through. It is interesting to see the different heights of the ground with the old rail track sternly looking down on the canal from above, and the canal in turn peeking down to the Cranleigh Waters, a seemingly huge distance below.

You will often see moorhens and dragonflies and in spring and summer there are wild flowers everywhere – each season brings its own unique mark. It is the sort of place where Ratty and Mole and their friends from The Wind in the Willows would have a picnic on the canal bank – watch out for them but don’t disturb them, it would be rude to interrupt tea!

Imagine standing here in the days of the old canal: a barge might go past taking coal up to Bramley, effortlessly towed by a sturdy horse. Another, under a spritsail, might quietly glide past taking groceries and provisions down to Elmbridge for transhipment into Cranleigh. A third barge might be moored up opposite, delivering chalk to the farmer’s kiln which was located just across from where you stand now. The chalk would be roasted to make quick lime which was then used to make much needed fertiliser for the farmer’s fields. In its heyday in the 1830s, the canal was quite busy through here.

We continued south on the former Guildford - Horsham railway line to Cranleigh, originally called "Cranley" but changed in 1867 at the request of the Postmaster General to prevent confusion with "Crawley"

This is Cranleigh Station in 1957, the line disappeared with many others after the Beeching cuts in 1965 & the station demolished although the platforms still remain behind the Sainsburys supermarket in the town.

Lunch was swiftly served (& consumed) at the Three Horseshoes.

Leaving the town, we passed the Little Park Hatch still intact surrounded by substantial housebuilding.

Christina's group was always in sight on this undulating quiet B road & whilst we were going east, Hans & Dave B (A group returning from Loxwood) were acknowledged as they travelled north on Leith Hill Lane.

Unfortunately, Colin mistook them for us & proceeded to follow before realising his mistake & we re-grouped at Ockley.

Most stopped for tea at Denbies, but sadly not in time for the decent cakes in the main restaurant (closes 4pm).

Many thanks to Christina for riding the route twice, various backmarkers & corner markers, Gill & Fixie Dave for the canal photos & everyone else for your company.