Compton Short Pub Walk
| The Withies Inn Pub Short Walk in Compton | |
| Pub Name | The Withies (Website here) |
| Location | Compton, GU3 1JA |
| Nearest Town | Godalming |
| Walk Details | |
| Time to Walk | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Gradient | Some hills |
| Terrain | Easy to moderate – some sandy and overgrown paths. Long trousers recommended |
| Walk Type | Circular |
| Livestock on Walk | No – some horses in field |
| Water on route for dogs | No |
| Loopy Dog Notes | You pass through an equestrian centre, and go near a quiet road |
| Pub Facilities | |
| Dog Friendly | Dogs not allowed inside the pub but there are covered and heated areas outside |
| Food Served | Yes |
| Average Drinks Prices | Glass of wine 175ml £5.90 |
| Average Food Prices | Chicken Kiev £15.50 |
| Vegan / Vegetarian Options | Yes Vegtarian – unsure if any vegan |
| Number of Vegan Options | Please ask venue |
PARKING: There is plenty of parking in the car park behind the pub and also some at the front. You can also park up the road a short way at the entrance to the public footpath.
THE PUB: The pub is a very cute old fashioned 16th century pub with a lovely pagoda area in the garden. It is a shame it doesn’t allow dogs inside, but the garden is very nice and there are shelters in case the weather isn’t too good.
CRAZY DOG NOTES: There is an equestrian centre shortly after you start the walk which has horses in a field which dogs can easily get into. There is also a quiet road just after you left the equestrian centre.
WATER: We did not find any water on the walk so please make sure to bring some with you.
THE WALK: From the Withies, turn right out of the car park and walk up the road until you reach the corner. Here you will see a public footpath sign slightly to the left of the corner. Follow the path into the woods until you come to the edge of a field. This field has horses in it and dogs can easily get under the fence so pop your dog back on the lead if this might be a problem.
Follow the fence along and you will come to a gate. Turn right just before the gate and continue through the field. This field was quite overgrown when we went along it so make sure you wear long trousers or be careful of the nettles. The path then runs alongside a field which is fully fenced so your dog cannot run into it. Again this path is a bit overgrown but will be great for blackberry collecting at the right time of year.
At the end of the path go down the stairs and then turn left and follow the path up the hill. This path has steep sides and arable fields either side. At the crossroad turn left again and continue down the hill until you reach the farm. You may want to put your dog back on a lead here although there seems to be only horses in the fields and no livestock around.
Once past the farm continue up the sandy path which heads towards Watts Gallery – a gallery dedicated to the life and work of ‘England’s Michelangelo’ G F Watts and his wife, the designer and artist Mary Watts. Admission is £11.50 for adults and free for under 18’s, and the gallery is open 10.30am – 5pm daily. There is also a studio, visitor centre, chapel and tea rooms which you can visit.
There is a road just past here and although it is quiet you may want to put your dog on a lead. If so, look for the steps on the left-hand side and this is a sign that you are near to the gallery. The gallery also has a tearoom if you wanted to get a drink but they do not allow dogs inside the tea room.
At the road turn left and then left again at the public footpath sign. You go for a short way along a fully fenced path and then reach a gate which goes into the stableyard. You need to put your dog on a lead when crossing the stable yard. Also note dogs can get under the gate as well so you might want to put them on a lead before reaching this.
Once through the gate follow the path straight on running alongside the riding school and then go through the gate on the right at the end of this. This will bring you back to the path which will take you back to the pub. Follow this alongside the fence and through the woods and then down the road and you will be back at The Withies Pub.