Ripcob two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Very pleasant walk and no problems finding the route. It is a bit challenging around the roadworks on the A3/M25 junction, but at the time or writing the A3 footbridge is open and accessible.

We made a short diversion just after crossing the A3 to go to Ockham Bites for a coffee and snack. Half of the car park has been taken over by the road works, but the cafe is still open and accessible.

This route was quite an adventure. There isn't too much interaction with roads, the main encounters being bridges over the A3 and M25. There were, however, quite a few styles and areas in general that makes this route inaccessible to those who are disabled. Wisley common in particular is very boggy and required some innovative thinking to cross it, including making a makeshift bridge. It's worth it for the views, but be prepared to get very muddy and a little bit lost!.

Enjoyable route across common land and river meadows. Almost entirely off road.
I walked Cobham to Ripley on a winter day after a fair soaking the previous few days. First, some road walking to get out of Cobham, then I went through a narrow gap into meadows which run alongside the river Mole, and it was a different world.
The ground was soggy, and there was a slightly awkward wet wooden bridge/stile; further on were large wet areas and a field of calm horses, but not a full river flood.
Next a bit of lane walking, very quiet as it only serves local properties. The lane leads to a bridge across the M25, then up a steep hill to a local landmark, a semaphore tower which was used to signal events between London and the naval base at Portsmouth.
From the M25 crossing to Ripley the entire route is off road, apart from where it crosses a lane at Wisley. There are a number of commons with a variety of habitats on predominantly acid heathland.
Once I crossed the A3 I was on Wisley common. This seemed quite wild and the ground was very wet, with large pools which it was possible to walk around and find not too deep ways through.
After crossing Wisley lane the path went alongside the famous Royal Horticulture Society gardens, and then some fields and more common land, and I was in Ripley.

The A3/M25 intersection is being enlarged and this is impacting the adjacent common lands, but this route although nearby is not directly affected.

Refreshments can be found slightly off route at the A3 crossing (just south of the route at the car park on the east side of the A3), and at Wisley gardens, where you can follow pedestrian access signs from Wisley Lane, through the car parks to the café.

Stiles, kissing gates, mud and large wet areas/pools. One field with horses.
Ripley still has an ‘old coaching village’ feel to it; the Talbot is an historic coaching inn which was a meeting place for Admiral Nelson and Lady Hamilton.
Very enjoyable, both the landscape and history are interesting, and I’m giving it 5 stars because it is off road and I really like this kind of walk, despite the wet bits!.

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