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No: 165 Cobham Downside
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Thursday 19 January 2006, starting at 10.30am
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Car park of "The Cricketers", off Downside Road, Cobham, Surrey
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The Cricketers, a traditional 16th Century pub, must be one of the most popular in rural Surrey. Dating back to approximately 1538, it is set off the ma in road and fronts the tranquil Downside village green. It features regularly in the Good Pub Guide. The interior is renowned for its low oak beams, with crash pads, enhanced by a large collection of horse brasses and other ornaments. Uneven floors catch many a visitor unawares! In Winter a blazing log fire adds to this 'Olde Worlde' atmosphere. On offer is a large selection of well kept, conditioned traditional ales alongside a good choice of lagers, wines and spirits. It is renowned for its excellent and diverse menu changed frequently.
From Esher take the A307, Portsmouth Road. Pass Claremont Park on your left and continue to Cobham, at amini roundabout turn left on to A245, Between Streets. Turn right at the church, with Waitrose on your left, into Downside Common Road, continue on to Downside Road and then left immediately before 'The Cricketers' pub sign on your left into a private road.
The Walk
Turn right out of the pub and at the road junction cross straight over and walk up Chilbrook Road, at its junction with Ockham Lane turn right and almost immediately left into Pointers Road. After some distance turn left to cross the M25 and follow a steepish hill up to the Chatley Heath, Semaphore Tower off to the right. Re-join the bridleway and continue, it can be a little muddy after wet weather, and turn left at a fingerpost to Ockham Lane. It is unfortunate that the M25 makes itself felt and heard in this part of Surrey but it is now a fact of life. To compensate there are magnificent views and very impressive buildings. On reaching Ockham Lane turn left and then right after a fingerpost on your right. At the next fingerpost turn left and follow the path round to the left before turning left through a break in the hedge. On reaching the M25 footbridge cross over and cross a stile on your left, carry straight on to eventually meet Chilbrook Road, here turn right and cross over at the next road junction and thus back to 'The Cricketers' and a well earned lunch.
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