Between Farnham and Guildford, the land does something unusual for Surrey: it narrows into a ridge, drops into open heath, and then, a short drive on, hands you a very good pint. Puttenham Common, the Hog's Back and the brewery at Tongham make an easy day out, and they suit walkers of most abilities.
Puttenham Common
The common is an extensive stretch of heathland, grassland, woodland and large ponds close to the Hog's Back. The Surrey Hills National Landscape gives it as 235 hectares of public open space, while Surrey Wildlife Trust puts it at more than 180, so the sensible description is a big common with room to lose an afternoon. It forms part of the Wealden Heaths National Nature Reserve, and the North Downs Way national trail runs through the estate.
It is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest, chiefly for the water and bankside species around a series of artificial, spring-fed ponds in a shallow valley. Dragonflies, butterflies and reptiles are the draw in warmer months.
Parking and facilities
There are four free car parks. Top and Middle are on Suffield Lane (GU3 1BG).
Britty Wood and Puttenham Tarn are on Littleworth Road (GU10 1JH). The Tarn car park is described as the most central.
There are plenty of benches and picnic areas, but no toilets.
When to go
The heather is at its best in late summer, so early June comes before the purple. What you get instead is birdsong. Hampton Estate's 2024 breeding-bird surveys recorded 70 species, including at least eight woodlark territories, three nightjar and two woodcock. The estate is running a long restoration of the heath, a 100-year plan, and says 84 per cent of UK lowland heath has been lost in 200 years. Grazing returned in 2023.
Choosing a walk
Puttenham Circular: 3.5 miles (5 km), gently undulating, through woodland at the foot of the Hog's Back ridge. It is listed by National Trails and is the one to start with.
Puttenham Common and the North Downs Way: 3.4 miles, rated easy, about 1.5 to 2 hours, with several long but steady climbs and descents.
Puttenham Common, Seale and Crooksbury Hill: 12.1 km, moderate, 3.5 to 4 hours, for a fuller day.
Puttenham and Murtmead: a gentle farmland and woodland circular of about 2.5 to 3 hours.
Wear sturdy, waterproof footwear. Woodland paths can be very muddy after rain, the sandy tracks can be loose and tiring, and there are boggy patches.
The Hog's Back
The ridge is part of the North Downs, running between Farnham and Guildford and ending where the River Wey cuts through the Downs. Its top is 154 metres, and its name comes from its narrow, elongated shape. The chalk resists weathering better than the clays either side, which is why it stands so proud. The route along it is ancient, as it kept travellers above the thick woodland of the valleys.
For a longer ridge walk, GPS-routes has a 10.6-mile route that starts south of Guildford station and goes via Henley Fort, with northern views said to take in Canary Wharf, Tower 42 and the Gherkin. AllTrails has a shorter 9.7 km circular with 175 metres of ascent, about 2.5 to 3 hours.
A pint at Hogs Back Brewery, Tongham
Hogs Back Brewery is at Manor Farm, The Street, Tongham, on the Farnham side of the ridge. It is a family-owned independent that opened its doors on 4 August 1992 in 18th-century farm buildings, and its first beer was Tongham TEA (Traditional English Ale). TEA is still the one to order. CAMRA lists Surrey Nirvana and TEA as the regulars, and Hogstar lager and Hazy Hog cider are also made here.
The brewery grew its own hops from 2014, and the Hop Garden Tour costs £23, with beer samples and a free half-pint glass. Summer 2026 tours run on selected Sundays from June to the August Bank Holiday weekend, and booking is open. The brewery tour is also £23 and includes samples and a free beer glass; book ahead on the website.
Shop and Tap
The brewery shop is open seven days a week, on two floors of a barn overlooking the brewery. It sells draught beer to take away, from 3.5-pint bottles up to a firkin, plus a large range of bottled beers. The Hogs Back Tap is a converted hop kiln that once dried the locally grown hops. You do not need to book, though you can reserve, and it serves wood-fired pizza, snacks, wine and coffee, with brunch on Thursdays to Saturdays. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Opening hours vary through the week, so check the brewery's website before you set off.
A pub in Puttenham
The Good Intent, 60 to 62 The Street, Puttenham, is a 16th-century inn on the North Downs Way, with oak beams, an inglenook fireplace and home-cooked meals. CAMRA lists Doom Bar and Landlord as the regular ales. The pub says it is child and dog friendly, and it makes a natural stop at the end of a circular.
Putting the day together
Walk the Puttenham Circular in the morning, drive the short distance to Tongham, and finish with a tour or a table at the Tap. For the Hog's Back itself, pick one of the ridge routes on a clear day, when the views north are best.
