Runfold Ridge

  • Free parking (2m height restriction)
  • Bins
  • Benches and a picnic table
  • Grassy paths
  • Hillside location with historic pillbox
  • Meadows with panoramic views over the Blackwater Valley area
  • 2km circular walk
  • Links to the Christmas Pie Trail, the Pilgrims’ Way, the North Downs Way and the National Cycle Network route 22
See route…

 

 

Where you’ll find it…

Find the free car park on Tongham Road past The Packhouse antiques centre. Nearest postcode GU10 1PJ. Grid reference SU 87437 48189. What3Words: looked.dame.gravel. Car park open 6am to 8pm.

If you follow the narrow lane past The Packhouse antiques centre and past Christmas Pie Barns & Porter’s Barn, you’ll come to the dedicated car park, with plenty of turning space. Don’t be put off by the narrow lane, it goes to a nice car park.

N.B. We’ve given the nearest postcode, but recommend using the links to look up the detailed location. The centre of a postcode may be up to half a mile from your destination.

What you’ll find there…

Former arable fields on the northern slopes of the Hog’s Back, a ridge that forms the western end of the North Downs. From here you have unrivalled views across the Blackwater Valley and surrounding area. Being close to the A31, there is some road noise, but what it lacks in tranquillity, it makes up for with scenery. Sitting on the bench atop the Chalk ridge there are great views looking north up the Blackwater Valley, including Aldershot and the surrounding countryside. It’s an ideal spot to sit, relax and see what you can find with the aid of the panoramic interpretation board (What3Words: torch.museum.using). On a clear day you can see the pylon at Old Dean Common in Bagshot, over 9 miles away.

If you’d like a longer walk, it’s easy to link this walk with Ash Green Meadows, via the Christmas Pie Trail. It’s not well signposted, but it’s easy to find and there’s a pedestrian crossing to take you safely across the busy junction with the A31.

Gallery…

Photo taken on a wintery hillside, looking out over the surrounding countryside.
Runfold Ridge, January 2024
Photo taken on a wintery hillside, looking out over the surrounding countryside. Dog walkers are enjoying a walk in wintery sunshine.
Runfold Ridge, January 2024
Photo taken on a hillside, looking out over the surrounding countryside.
Runfold Ridge, September 2023
Photo taken on a hillside, looking down a grassy path and out over the surrounding countryside.
Runfold Ridge, September 2023
Photo taken on a hillside meadsow. Grassy paths have been mown through longer grass. A bench looks out.
Runfold Ridge, September 2023
Photo of rolling meadow in late summer. Information board in the foreground to help visitors enjoy the view.
Runfold Ridge, September 2023

Photo of rolling meadow in late summer. Information board in the foreground to help visitors enjoy the view.
Runfold Ridge, September 2023
Photo taken on a hillside meadow. The late summer grasses are long and golden.
Runfold Ridge, September 2023
Photo taken on a hillside meadow. A post in the foreground shows that the way is marked with arrows - green discs on short posts.
Runfold Ridge, September 2023
Photo taken on a hillside meadow. People walk on a path that's been mown.
Runfold Ridge, September 2023
Photo taken looking towards a small cr park. There's an information board just outside the car park.
Runfold Ridge, September 2023
Photo looking across a dry meadow with seedheads and the last of the wild flowers in flower.
Runfold Ridge by Gillian Bamford, August 2023

Photo looking across a dry meadow with different seedheads in the long dry grass. Fluffy thisltes and dark dock.
Seedheads at Runfold Ridge by Gillian Bamford, August 2023
Photo of a brown butterfly with orange markings. Sitting on a yellow daisy.
Brown Argus butterfly at Runfold Ridge by Gillian Bamford, August 2023
Photo of a view looking across a summer meadow to the wooded landscape beyond.
Runfold Ridge by Gillian Bamford, July 2023
Photo of a brightly coloured butterfly with bold eye-spot markings.
Peacock butterfly at Runfold Ridge by Gillian Bamford, July 2023
Photo looking across a meadow with flowering yellow daisies. You can see a wetland area in the distance.
View towards Tice’s Meadow from Runfold Ridge by Gillian Bamford, May 2023
Photo looking across a green meadow with bright pink wildflowers in the foreground.
Red Campion in flower at Runfold Ridge by Gillian Bamford, May 2023

Photo of a hilltop pillbox.
Pillbox at Runfold Ridge, May 2023 (credit: The Land Trust)
Photo of four men at a new bench, looking out at the magnificent view across the surrounding countryside.
New bench at Runfold Ridge, April 2023
Photo os rolling meadow in winter, with light snow on the ground.
Runfold Ridge, December 2022
Photo os rolling meadow in winter, with light snow on the ground. Labrador dog in the foreground.
Visitor enjoying a crisp walk at Runfold Ridge, December 2022
Photo os rolling meadow in winter, with light snow on the ground.
Runfold Ridge, December 2022
Photograph of greenspace at Runfold Ridge, showing newly planted trees
Runfold Ridge, April 2021

Photograph of greenspace at Runfold Ridge, showing view across surrounding area
Runfold Ridge, April 2021

 

This ‘Greenspace on your doorstep’ is managed by…

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