Play all audios:
The weather has improved drastically over the last few weeks, and it is not even summer yet. So it is only fair that the people of Surrey begin to search for a new place for an
afternoon's walk, and while a summer's walk through a nature reserve is great, having a pub to sip pints at the beginning and the end of the walk is truly something which is hard
to come by. Guildford's Riverside Nature Reserve in itself, offers an excellent walking experience. Just a 10 minute drive from the town centre; the nature reserve features features
extensive stretches of promenade routes, a lake full to the brim with wildlife, multiple picnic benches and spacious meadows. The cherry on top which makes the Guildford nature reserve truly
worth a visit with friends, family and your canine companion, is the fact that you'll find a pub both at the beginning, and end of your walk. To the south of the Riverside Nature
Reserve, you will find the Rowbarge pub on the banks of the River Wey, and to the east of the reserve, you'll find the Anchor and Horseshoes in Burpham. Both pubs feature gardens with
seating and are dog friendly. The walk time, starting at either pub; heading through the expansive nature reserve, and then ending at the other pub, totals to just under an hour. Meaning
that the walking time, should you walk back the way you came once you have visited the second pub - will equate to a minimum of two hours. If this seems like a lot; a visit to just one of
the pubs is advisable. If you were to start your walk with a pint or pub meal at the Anchor and Horseshoes, which has a car park, you will have a roughly 10 minute walk through the streets
of Burpham. Travelling up London Road, left at the Aldi supermarket, and down Burpham Lane and through the Sutherland Memorial Park and onto Clay Lane for a brief walk until you turn left
into the Riverside Nature Reserve car park on Bowers Lane. From there, you will find yourself at the aforementioned nature reserve. The main feature of the 40-hectare green space is the
sweeping lake that sits in its centre, which is surrounded by picnic benches, and features swarms of ducks and swans which call the lake their home. One feature of the reserve which makes it
unique for Surrey is the hundreds of meters of boardwalks built on top of the area's wetlands, which are known for to be a prime habitat for birds, insects and amphibian life that all
can be viewed in secret from a hidden observatory. Once you have experienced all there is to see at the nature reserve, to head toward the second pub in your journey; the Row Barge, you
should head out of the gates of the reserve, onto the banks of the River Wey and over the bridge toward the Stoke Lock. Continuing down the River Wey for roughly 10 minutes until you find
yourself at Woking Road. Once you cross the road, which it is important to note; can get very busy with traffic, you will be able to see the Row Barge just ahead in Riverside Road. Both pubs
have car parks, meaning you can start your journey by parking at either. Should you choose to start off at the Row Barge; you would take the previously mentioned walking route in reverse -
starting by crossing Woking Road. The Anchor and Horsehoes in Burpham is an historic 18th Century establishment which offers visitors both a main and lunch menu, where you can choose pub
classics such as scampi and chips, stone baked pizzas, jacket potatoes and a range of sandwiches. The Greene King operated pub serves an extensive range of lagers, real ales, gins, whisky,
Vodka, wines and cocktails. And, should you not fancy a drink in Burpham, you'll be able to find much of the same at the Stonegate operated Row Barge pub. The Bellfields based pub also
offers food every day of the week besides Mondays, with burgers, sandwiches and fish and chips among the pub classics to choose from. Both pubs have some great online reviews from visitors,
with the Anchor and Horsehoes being described as a "friendly pub" with a "lovely garden", "excellent food" and drinks which are "not too pricey". The
Row Barge is much of the same, with online reviewers commending the pub for it's "great location", "friendly" barman and "absolutely lovely" since coming
under new management in 2024. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION * Riverside Nature Reserve address: A3, Guildford GU1 1QA * Row Barge pub address: 7 Riverside, Guildford GU1 1LW * Row Barge opening
times: 11am to 12am on Monday to Saturday, 11am to 11pm on Sunday (kitchen open from 4pm) * Anchor and Horseshoe address: 194 London Road, Guildford GU1 1XR * Anchor and Horseshoe opening
times: 12pm to 11pm Monday to Sunday, Thursday to Saturday 12pm to 12am (Kitchen open Mon - Fri: 12pm to 2.30pm and then 6pm to 8pm, Sat: 12pm to 8pm, Sun: 12pm to 5pm)