The Spotted Cow and Bourne Wood

The Spotted Cow and Bourne Wood is a 4.1 mile loop trail located near Farnham, Surrey, England that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips.

Length4.1 miElevation gain570 ftRoute typeLoop

Description

Waypoints (6)

Getting There

A circular pub walk from the Spotted Cow in Lower Bourne, a wonderful rural pub with great ales and wines, a varied menu and which welcomes dogs and children. The walk heads out through narrow wooded lanes to reach Bourne Wood, before passing through the woodland to reach the Rural Life Centre and then returning through the heath, forest and quiet village lanes. The walk has several climbs and descents throughout and most of the paths are unmade so can be uneven and quite muddy in winter and after periods of rain. There are no stiles and just a few gates. Some sections of the woodland and heath are grazed for conservation by rare breed cattle so take care with dogs. Approximate time 1.5 to 2 hours.

Spotted Cow to Dene Lane

From the pub car park, go back onto Bourne Grove and turn right. Follow the wooded lane with a shallow stream running to the right. At the T-junction at the end of the road, turn left onto the dead end branch of Vicarage Hill. Follow this dirt track climbing steadily uphill. At the top you will reach a T-junction with Lodge Hill Road. Turn right along the pavement and after just a few yards, immediately after the property called Sweet Croft, turn left along the enclosed footpath signed to Old Man's Hill. Follow this footpath along a fairly level section and then continue ahead with care as it begins to descend steeply downhill. At the T-junction within the path, turn left and follow the path as it swings right to join a tarmac drive. Ahead you will meet a T-junction with Dene Lane.

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Dene Lane to Forest Access Lane

Cross over Dene Lane and go straight ahead onto the public bridleway opposite, a wide forest path with shallow steps climbing uphill. You are now entering Bourne Wood. The woodland is managed by the Forestry Commission and some areas of it have been purchased by the RSPB to restore as heathland for species such as the nightjar, Dartford warbler, woodlark and tree pipit. Since 2000, Bourne Wood has been used frequently as a filming location for movies including Gladiator, The Golden Compass, several Harry Potter films and War Horse. At the top of the steps you will meet a junction of paths, go straight ahead on the sandy public bridleway. At the next junction of paths, take the second left, ignoring the first left which is a narrower grass track. After a little distance you will meet a T-junction with a main forest track. Turn right and follow the track heading downhill and then swinging to the right. You will come to a crossroads with the tarmac access lane for the forest. If you glance to the left, you will see the small roadside car park for use by forest visitors.

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Forest Access Lane to Rural Life Centre

Go straight ahead and at the next cross roads (with a wooden sign post) go straight ahead. Immediately afterwards keep straight ahead again over a forest track and fire break, passing by the marker post with blue arrows. A few paces later at the minor junction go ahead again and follow this path as it swings to the right. As you begin to climb you will reach a gate ahead of you. Pass through the gate and note that this area is sometimes grazed by cattle for conservation so take care with dogs. Continue ahead and over the brow of the hill and you will then reach a junction with a wide sandy track. Turn right and follow the track with open heathland over to the left. At the crossroads, just after a bench and fire beaters rack, turn left heading gradually downhill. Look out for a minor crossroads, marked with a small wooden post. Turn right here passing a small oak tree and bench. Pass through a kissing gate further along and turn left onto the wide fenced track. At the end of the track fork right down the narrow path to reach the main road. Turn right along the grass verge taking care of oncoming traffic. After just around 100 yards you will come to the entrance of the Rural Life Centre on the right.

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Rural Life Centre to Corner of Deer Fence

The centre is open 10 to 5pm Wed to Sun and Bank Holidays from mid March to the end of October, and Wed and Sun only in the winter. There is a cafe open to everyone and/or you can pay an entrance fee to explore the museum itself. Turn right into the entrance and then immediately turn left into the gravel car park. With a wide metal gate ahead swing right into the grassy area of the overflow car park. On the right you will see the Reeds Road Station of the steam train that runs through the museum grounds. At the top of the car park go straight ahead through the wooden gate onto the bordered woodland footpath. As you reach the fenceline ahead, turn left for a few paces and then turn right through a gate to re-enter the grazed heathland. Go straight on, on the narrow path winding uphill through the heath. When you reach a T-junction with a bench ahead, turn left onto the level sandy path. Pass through a gate at the end and turn right climbing steadily on the wide fenced path. At the junction, go straight ahead on the narrow path and then swing right to join the path coming in from the left marked with blue arrows. Follow this path and soon you will be walking immediately alongside a tall wire deer fence on the left. Continue until you reach the corner of this fence.

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Corner of Deer Fence to St Martins Church

Turn left at the fence corner, to join the wide sandy track climbing steeply uphill with the deer fence running still to the left. As you reach the brow of the hill continue straight ahead on the wide level path with the tall fence still to the left. As a very wide stone track comes in from the right, keep straight on onto the narrower woodland path ahead. Follow this path gradually downhill and ignore the first path off to the left marked with a wooden signpost. As the path begins to swing right, fork left through a cutting in the bank marked with a yellow arrow, down some wooden steps between fencing. Follow this path quite steeply downhill, taking care of any uneven tree roots. At the bottom, keep ahead through a wider path section with wire fences visible left and right. Keep straight ahead as the path narrows to wind downhill through another stretch of woodland. Cross over the brick bridge across the narrow stream to reach Dene Lane. Turn left onto Dene Lane and a few paces later keep ahead, ignoring Dene Lane West off to the left. Follow the lane passing between properties and continue with a cricket green to the left. About half way along the green, look out on the right for the Church of St Martin.

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St Martins Church to Spotted Cow

Turn right into the footpath immediately before the church and signed to Lodge Hill Close. As you emerge out to a stone lane with properties opposite, turn left and follow the lane to reach the junction with the main road. Cross over the road and take the lane opposite called School Lane. Keep right at the fork, onto the unmade surface branch of the lane. As the main lane begins to swings left, take the right fork signed to The Switchback and passing concrete bollards. Follow this woodland path ignoring any smaller paths off to the left across the stream. The path emerges out to the junction with Bourne Grove that you passed by earlier. Go straight ahead into Bourne Grove. Follow the lane back to reach the Spotted Cow pub on the left, for some well-earned hospitality.

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The walk starts from The Spotted Cow pub on Bourne Grove in Lower Bourne. The pub has a large car park which walkers are welcome to use as long as they are using the pub for refreshments before or after their walk. From Farnham take the A31 then turn left into Tilford Road past Farnham Station. Go straight ahead at the traffic lights (with Great Austins to the right) and then Bourne Grove is the third right (a sharp right turn signed to the Spotted Cow). Approximate post code GU10 3QT. If you don't wish to visit the pub, you can alter the route to begin and end at the small Bourne Wood Forestry Commission car park which is further along the Tilford Road, next to Waypoint 2-Forest Access Lane.

Weather

UV Index

Daylight

Reviews (52)

Photos (69)

Recordings (36)

Completed (155)

Ashley Lewis

January 9, 2021

Hiking

Great trail!

View Ashley's Recording

Joanne Watkins

December 28, 2020

Walking

Lovely walk through woods and heathlands. Got lost following the directions about half way around though. Couldn’t park as the Spotted Cow pub was closed - the joys of lockdown. Quite a few hills to negotiate but would be great in the summer. Can definitely recommend.

a mcg

December 5, 2020

Hiking

lovely walk with lovely surroundings. felt fully immersed in the countryside.

View a's Recording

Patrick Winter

November 21, 2020

Hiking

View Patrick 's Recording

Mike van Schalkwyk

September 13, 2020

Hiking

View Mike's Recording

Pickled Tiger

September 3, 2020

Hiking

View Pickled's Recording

Ellie Wright

August 8, 2020

WalkingGreat!

John Johnstone

August 8, 2020

WalkingGreat!

Very good walk through Bourne Wood and Farnham Heath. The trail virtually all woodland or heathland with lots of heather. If you want to miss out the Spotted Cow stop then the Tilford Road car park is the better starting point. Be aware if you don't like climbing up and down hills I would avoid it, however the climb are not difficult but could be slippery in wet weather.

View John's Recording

andrew lane

June 21, 2020

Walking

Lovely walk. Ideal for dogs as only a couple of places where they need to be on a lead. Be aware that the Rural Life Centre is closed so you can’t walk through their car park (which is part of the route) If you carry in down the road for about 400-600yds there is a public footpath on the right. If you take that and follow at about 2 o’clock, it will eventually bring you back on track. I’ve posted a picture of the route with the diversion in blue

Tracey Miller

May 17, 2020

love this walk, unfortunately the pub isnt currently open, but the shops at the end of the walk offers cool drinks and ice creams to replenish energy on the beautiful green. The walk is perfect for an afternoon walk. great views, plenty of wildlife, I've done this walk two times now and when the spotted cow opens I will do this walk prior to a nice roast dinner at the pub.

Neil Hall

May 12, 2020

A glorious walk through Bourne Wood on a beautiful sunny day. Took the best part of 2 hrs but we ambled along. Not for those who require even terrain. Easy to navigate with clear directions so no wrong turns on this occasion!

John Vinten

April 28, 2020

HikingMuddy

This would be a great trial to do when the Sun is out, It starts at a pub and ends at a pub, So you can get hydrated and rehydrated, I did this walk on a rainy afternoon, it was 7 km and took me 1.5 hours, Shame the put was closed due to Covid 19. It takes you through heathland Woodlands and little bit of road, These even a little up hill. I didn’t see anything too interesting but was a nice trial and would do again,

View John's Recording

Tony Thomas

January 19, 2020

Hiking

Loved this trail. A few small inclines but. I thing too hard. Beautiful landscapes, views, mostly off road. Started and ended in the pub. Took us 2 1/2 hours with some stops.

Gemma Kaye

January 2, 2020

very dry walk for the weather we have been having

Michele Dodd

November 16, 2019

Hiking

Dog friendly woodland walk with beautiful views. The autumn colours of the trees were lovely. Quite a few steep climbs and muddy in places. We finished our walk with a drink at The Spotted Cow.

View Michele's Recording

Elizabeth Freeman

September 16, 2019

Hiking

A fantastic trail which is easy to follow and perfect for walking the dogs as there is minimal road work.

Matt Davis

September 1, 2019

Hiking

Nice walk. I would caution that the path just after the rural life centre is overgrown with Heather. I don't know if that is riskier for ticks but you can go around it if you consult the map view.

View Matt's Recording

Nigel Collard

August 18, 2019

Walking

Nice Forest and heathland walk with views and the Rural Life centre just at the right point for a cafe break if you want. Look out for woodland art approaching and after the centre. Spotted Cow very good.

Vince Thorne

April 22, 2019

Really nice Forest walk today on a sunny Easter holiday, with the end reward of The Spotted Cow and stone oven baked Pizza made outside at the end by (I believe) Italians. Fantastic!

Jim Harrisson

July 27, 2018

Lovely walk which we did on one of the hottest, sunniest days of the year. There are some beautiful views on a clear day. Since we like to take in the views and read any information boards en route we took well over two hours, with no stops.

Tony Holmes

April 2, 2017

Is there a missing bit between 1 and 2? No mention of Old Mans Hill? Other than that, clear instructions. ADMIN RESPONSE: Thanks for getting in touch and for the extra info you sent by email. So pleased you enjoyed the walk and that the GPS map put you back on track. We can confirm that there are no bits missing. You don't need to turn along Dene Lane, you just cross straight over to take the path ahead (a woodland path up steps which is designated a bridleway). Hope you continue to enjoy more walks!

Chris Millyard

March 1, 2017

Great walk. Great instructions. Great sharing Fish Platter at The Spotted Cow. What more could one ask for? Chris, Mandy & Dave the dog.

Gary Kiely

January 22, 2017

This was such a great varied walk with plenty small climbs which made you earn your lunch. We had ours at the rural centre, it was no frills and very tasty. The description of the walk was spot on. Like another reviewer I would agree the whole route would have been very difficult to find on an OS map. This was my first time using this app and website very impressed and looking forward to some more of the walks in my area.

Claire S

October 14, 2012

First to Review

Wonderful woodland walk with plenty of wide open spaces to enjoy. Great lunch and you may get to meet the gorgeous pub dog called Goffey! Really recommend this one.