THE WATER WAY - ST. ALBANS CATHEDRAL TO GUILDFORD CATHEDRAL - 76 MILES;

ABOUT THE WALK AND MY STORY -

As always on completion a walk guidebook, I ask myself, “What next!*  I was a litle stumped as several ideas floated through my mind. But none grabbed my aitention. I slept on it and when I awoke the idea of linking two of our.major cathedrals together was on my lips - St. Albans to Guildford!

I have walked and explored both many times, but never linked them
together. I pulled out the relevant maps and studied the rights of way, but nothing leapt out at me. But, I did spot the rivers and navigations and wondered why not a river walk rather than pilgrimage walk, visiting the churches along the way. The idea grew and although having walked all the rivers before, it would make a complete change and see most of them on the opposite direction.

So, the following Saturday I set off from St. Albans and first walked the River Ver to Bricket Wood and then the River Colne to Watford. Here a short walk through the town through Cassiobury Park brought me to the Grand Union Canal. This I would be walking southwards, instead of my usual route northwards to Birmingham. I pressed on towards Uxbridge and West Drayton. Here I had weave my around the motorways and reservoirs, largely following the Colne Brook, to gain the River Thames at Staines. Beside this to Chertsey and onto the passenger Ferry. Crossing to the start of River Wey, my last river Navigation. It made fitting finale with few people about and a narrow historical canal fo follow.

Alas in due course I neared Guildford and the cathedral beckoned on
the top of Stag Hill. Reluctantly, as I hate the end of walk, I wove around through Surrey University to the cathedral. But, as luck woul have it, it was bursting with activity with an arts and crafts fair in the nave. | therefore could not explore the cathedral. I returned the next week and all was quiet and I could explore and admire the building in solitude. It was only a short walk but I returned to the River Wey Navigation and walked the remainder of it to its end in Godalming. So | didn’t fee lguilty!

I thoroughly enjoyed walking these rivers between the two cathedrals
and because it was late February few people were about and only the
occasional narrow boat passed by. I hope you enjoy this walk along the rivers and seeing and exploring two of our premier cathedrals.

Hoyoy walking!
Revi. John M Merrill

HOW TO DO IT

I did the walk over 5 days and used public transport - trains - to the start of each section. Being January and February I was restricted by daylight hours and transport problems! But, this just added to fun of each day! There is accomdation along the route and a good sprinkling of inns and cafe’s beside the route.

Enjoy!

A5 Guidebook. Wire bound and signed by  John Merrill.

Pligrim cloth embroidered badge and signed certificate are available from John Merrill.

Al walkers added to Walkers Roll of Honour page.