News

7th March 2026

Burpham Community Association walk to Woking Palace

On Saturday Sue led the walk to Woking Palace. Woking Palace was originally recorded on maps in 1272 as a Hunting Lodge. It was later extended to become a Manor House, and by 1466, it became a Royal Palace when it was the home of Margaret Beaufort who was extremely wealthy and was the mother of Henry VII and the grandmother of Henry VIII. Margaret Beaufort was married four times and bore her first child at the age of 13. It is said that she founded the Tudor dynasty after the defeat of Richard III at the battle of Bosworth. As the mother of Henry VII, she was deeply involved in governance, estate management, and even legal reforms. Henry VIII, her grandson, spent a lot of time with her as a child when his brother Arthur was the heir apparent. Later he was to spend his honeymoon with Katherine Parr at Woking Palace. Most of the work to the palace was undertaken during his reign. The Palace included a Great Hall for entertainment, guest apartments, a landing stage for visitors who arrived by river, a fruit orchard and ponds where they farmed fish for food. Queen Elizabeth I also stayed at the palace but less frequently and by the late 16C it had fallen into disrepair. In 1620 James I sold the palace to Sir Edward Zouch who demolished the buildings and used the material to build Hoe Place. Our next walk is at “Hatchlands” on 18th April to enjoy the bluebells at their peak.

5th January 2026

Summer Walks in 2026 organised by the Burpham Community Association

Why not join us for a series of walks and visits organised by the Burpham Community Association this summer. Dogs are welcome. If you are interested in a particular walk, you are advised to sign up at secretary@burphamca.org.uk to get details of the final directions and arrangements and a notice about likely weather conditions on the day. To see photographs and write-ups of last year's events, see the Past Events Page.

7th March        Visit to Old Woking Palace. The palace was the home of Henry VIII’s grandmother, and he                              was a frequent visitor in his youth. Free. Meet at Manor Way car park at 10.00 am.

18th April        Visit to Hatchlands Park and House – a walk in the park at prime bluebell time including a                            visit inside the house. The park is free. Entry to the house is £13 but free for NT members.    

2nd May           Walk to Leith Hill – a walk to the top of Leith Hill to enjoy the views and the rhododendrons                            at their very peak and a visit to Leith Hill Place. Entry to Leith Hill Place is £6 for non members.

13th May          Visit to Goddards – Goddards is an outstanding country house designed by Edwin Lutyens.                              The visit includes a guided group tour of the house. 

6th June           Visit to Painshill Park – Enjoy the hillside follies of Painshill Park. Fabulous landscape                                       gardens and a tour around the hillside follies. Cost £12.50p.

4th July            Walk along the Wey Navigation - from Sutton Park along the Wey Navigation through                                  Triggs Lock to the New Inn Pub for lunch.

18th July          Walk at West Horsley Place - a walk around the beautiful estate followed by lunch at the                               Duke of Wellington Pub in West Horsley.

1st August       Walk at Thursley Common – a circular walk enjoying the pine woods, the heathland with the                          heather in full bloom followed by lunch at the Elstead Mill.

5th Sept           Walk at Witley Common – a walk through heathlands to explore the forgotten site of the                                 first world war training camp where recruits were trained before being sent to the front. Free.

24th October   Walk at Sheepleas and St Mary’s Church – Starting at the Duke of Wellington Pub in                                    Horsley, we walk through woods and meadows to enjoy the Autumn colours and visit the                                    ancient frescoes at St Mary’s church.