Tatsfield: Circular Walks and Local History

In Tatsfield, circular walks through the North Downs landscape meet a local history visible in its church architecture and pilgrimage traditions. For planning a trip, the routes offer different points of reference: several circular walks start at the same place, while Walk 6 has its own starting point and a described route. Historic sites offer a different focus, telling stories of different periods and religious traditions.

Circular walks and routes through the North Downs

Tatsfield Walks comprises six circular walks. Five start at the Village Hall car park; Walk 6 starts instead at Hill Park on Chestnut Avenue. This is a clear difference to bear in mind when finding the start of the walk. In the parish of Tatsfield in the North Downs, a network of public footpaths leads through varied landscapes, including the Downs themselves, wooded areas, paths alongside hedgerows and a vineyard. Those who enjoy walking will find not just one type of scenery, but a variety of landscapes here.

Three specific details are given for the Tatsfield History Walk: the circular route is 2.5 miles long, takes 1 hour and 10 minutes, and has an elevation change of 270 feet. The distance and duration help put the walk in context, while the elevation change adds to the picture of the route’s profile. The North Downs Way is on a different scale: it runs from Farnham in Surrey to Dover in Kent and passes through the parish of Tatsfield. This distinguishes a described local circular walk from a long-distance trail that passes through Tatsfield on a longer route.

Walk 6 and Hill Park

Walk 6 starts at Hill Park, descends along the Pilgrims’ Way through farmland to Squerry’s vineyard, and returns to Hill Park via the North Downs Way. The sequence of descent, vineyard and return via the long-distance trail gives this walk its own route within the six Tatsfield Walks. Hill Park has no car park and can be reached on foot via the B2024. When planning this walk, you can take the starting point and route description into account together.

Church, pilgrimage traditions and local history

The Church of St Mary the Virgin combines several building phases: the church dates from the 12th century, with alterations following in the 13th century. The tower was built in 1838, and the south porch dates from the late 19th century. This chronology makes the different building periods clear, rather than reducing the church to a single era. St Mary’s is also a pilgrim church and is often visited by people walking the Pilgrim’s Way from Winchester to Canterbury.

St Mary’s churchyard stands high on the North Downs and offers wide views across the Weald. The landscape and church architecture are different aspects of the place: the elevated outlook over the surroundings and a building with several historic phases. Another local memorial site is the KE VII Memorial Ground. It was established as a memorial to the king who died in 1910. In this way, the history of the church and pilgrimage is complemented by another form of remembrance in Tatsfield.

Discover more destinations: Betchworth, Haslemere, Staines, Chiddingfold, Cranleigh, Godstone, Reigate, Milford.

For the main travel overview: Surrey.