Chilworth Gunpowder Mills
Children will love exploring the ruins of the gunpowder works that are scattered through the woodland as well as a designated paddling area.
Some of the huge mill stones left behind
The Basics
Time: 45 minutes
Distance: 2 km
Terrain: Flat, unsurfaced woodland paths
Pushchair: Yes - it may be a little bumpy in places and expect a little mud in winter
Dogs: Yes, they may also enjoy the paddling area
Refreshments: There is a picnic area about half way along the walk with lots of benches or you could start this walk from The Percy Arms in Chilworth
Toilets: None
Public Transport: Trains run to Chilworth from where you can walk from the station to the gunpowder mills via Vera’s Path mentioned below
Parking: There are three free spaces for visitors to the mills on Blacksmith Lane opposite West Lodge (Postcode: GU4 8NQ - W3W: photos/punks/charge). If these spaces are full, we recommend finding parking in the village near the school and entering the mills via Vera’s Path (see map).
A designated area for children and dogs to paddle in
In woodland beside the River Tillingbourne lies the scheduled ancient monument of Chilworth Gunpowder Mills. It may not seem like it today, but the area was once a hive of industry and hidden among the trees, you will find the ruins of buildings, millstones, channels and bridges. In one of the channels, you will even find a designated paddling spot where children can play in the shallow water.
The Route
We were lucky enough to find parking on Blacksmith Lane, so our description starts from there. If you parked in the village, you will need to enter via the Vera’s Path entrance. We recommend downloading/printing the Heritage Trail leaflet produced by Guildford Borough Council as it provides informative descriptions of the ruins that match up to coded posts at key points throughout the trail.
Cross the lane from the small parking area and enter the woodland opposite on the path to the left of the lodge. The walk is now incredibly easy to follow as it will pretty much go in a straight line. There are some small paths to the left and right, which you should initially ignore. All of the main ruins will be visible from the path or just to the side of it.
About half way through the walk, you will come to a picnic area in a grassy clearing. This is the point where those coming from the village along Vera’s Path will join, over a little wooden footbridge.
The path continues east, passing the designated paddling spot with a snail sculpture.
The most in-tact of the ruins will come into view after this - perfect for a game of hide and seek! The path will come to an end when you reach Lockner Farm Lane.
To vary the route back slightly, exit onto the lane and turn left. After about twenty metres, you will see a metal kissing gate on your left, taking you back into the site. Follow this around the back of the ruins until you return to the main path just before the picnic site.
You can also take another variant just after the picnic site by turning right down the secondary path. This will take you along the river. Do not go over the flat wooden bridge, but instead fork left to return to the main path.
We have not included a map of our own as the one linked above does an excellent job already.
Did you know?
What seems like a natural space actually owes its existence to our industrial heritage. The tracks and waterways were all built to serve 300 years of gunpowder manufacture that only ceased at the end of the second world war.
