Bookham Lane runs from Downside to Bookham common, and carries little motor traffic.	Several well-surfaced bridleways cross Bookham common towards Bookham or Leatherhead.

For most of its length, this is a beautiful ride with little motor traffic. Unfortunately. there is currently no public route south to Redhill Road that is pleasant to cycle on, all roads being busy and narrow.

Weybridge to Downside

From Weybridge station, follow Brooklands Road (heavy traffic – take care) or take the longer but quieter route through the Locke King estate. Continue down Brooklands Road to the large roundabout at the bottom of the hill, and turn left into Byfleet Road, which is too narrow for cycles to be safely overtaken, and carries continuous traffic at most times. If in doubt become a pedestrian and follow the footway. Continue for about 800 metres, and turn right into Redhill Road.

	Pointers Lane provides a perfect route for cycles, with almost no motor traffic.

Follow Redhill Road past the museum of the London Bus Peservation Trust, and continue until it ends at the A3 (Portsmouth Road) cutting. Turn right here, down a cycle path to a light-controlled crossing over the A3 northbound entry slip road. Follow the path under the A3 bridge, and cross the A3 southbound exit slip road by another light-controlled crossing. Then dive into the woods along a muddy path for 100 metres before joining the beautifully wooded Pointers Road, which ends in a small car park at this point. Follow the tree-lined lane to a T-junction, and turn right then after 20 metres, left again. Cross the Cobham-Effingham road, and you are at the corner of Downside common. If you are not stopping at the Cricketers public house, follow the road along the side of the green to a T-junction (7.5km, 4.7m). The Bookham route continues to the right, and route 7 to Cobham is to the left.

The Cricketers at Downside offers good food and plenty of outdoor tables.	The network of bridle paths on Bookham Common are shared with horse-riders and walkers.

Downside to Bookham and the North Downs

Follow Bookham Road under the 3-level rail / motorway bridge, to Bookham common. A well-surfaced bridleway continues across the common. Follow in a straight line across the common, keeping the farm buildings on your right. Turn left onto the road near Bookham station, and follow it round to the right. If you continue in this direction, crossing the main Guildford – Leatherhead road, you can reach Polesdon Lacey house and gardens (6.0km, 3.8m), the North Downs way (8.0km, 5.0m), or Ranmore common (9.0km, 5.6m). Consult a map to choose your route.

Downside to Bookham Common and Leatherhead

Follow Bookham Road under the 3-level rail / motorway bridge, to Bookham common as described above. A well-surfaced bridleway continues across the common. When you reach the farm in the centre of the common, fork left. This leads to a private residential road, continuing over the railway on a humped bridge. From here, there are many routes to Leatherhead (7.0km, 4.4m) though the housing developments, and it is best to refer to the map for guidance.

Diagram of Route

Last updated 26/03/01