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Fairmile Probus Club Walk – Tuesday 23 January 2024 From The Old Plough, Stoke d’Abernon to Downsid

in Walking

Fairmile Probus Club Walk – Tuesday 23 January 2024

From The Old Plough, Stoke d’Abernon to Downside Common and Back

Meet at 10.15 for a 10.30 start at:

The Old Plough Car Park, 2 Station Rd, Stoke D'Abernon, Cobham KT11 3BN

Tel: 01932 862244

The Old Plough offers full lunch and light lunch menus catering to broad tastes (see

menus attached). To maintain the reservation of the large table booked for us at

12.30, we are asked to order and pay a £10 deposit for our lunch when we assemble

before the walk.

Parking

Given the timing of our gathering for the walk, there should be plenty of parking

space in the Old Plough car park.

. The Walk

In view of the amount of heavy rain experienced in early January, two other walks

considered late last year remain waterlogged and muddy and are viewed as more

suitable for the summer. This winter walk has been selected since the surface

underfoot is largely firm, the paths are well used, and, apart from the start in Stoke

d’Abernon, avoids public highways. The route is essentially flat, with no stiles. This is

a circular walk of about 3.5 miles starting out from the Old Plough car park. Although

the walk is currently dry, stout walking shoes/boots are recommended.

Our route will take us along Station Road to Bray Road, thence left into the Tilt,

bearing left by the cemetery into Bridge Lane, crossing the Ashford footbridge over

the Rover Mole, and thereafter following River Lane for about a mile, passing

extensive acres of the Cobham Park on both sides, until reaching Cobham Park

Road. River Lane is used by walkers regularly, and we may also encounter a few

cyclists, but no motor vehicles.

On reaching Cobham Park Road we bear west for about ½ mile, then take the gated

path to the Water Pump at the eastern end of Downside Common. Our route then

skirts the Common before turning west along a (probably slightly damper) footpath to

The Cricketers, where refreshments will not be available since currently it does not

open until midday.

From the Cricketers we can retrace our steps directly or have the option of

completing a circuit of Downside Common back to the Water Pump, whence we

retrace our route back to the Old Plough.

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The origin of the name Fairmile on the Portsmouth Road is that it was a straight, dry mile of road that was used by stagecoaches travelling between London and Portsmouth. The name "Fairmile" is derived from the Old English words "fæger" meaning "fair" and "mæl" meaning "mile," so it literally means "fair mile." The road was first mentioned in 1749 as "Fair Mile".

The Fairmile Arms, a public house on the road, was not actually a stagecoach inn. It was a private residence until around the time of the Second World War. However, the name of the pub is a reminder of the history of the Fairmile, when it was a busy road for stagecoaches.

Today, the Fairmile is still a popular road for motorists, and it is also a popular spot for walkers and cyclists. The road is lined with trees and fields, and it offers stunning views of the Surrey countryside.

In the 17th century, the Portsmouth Road became a major trade route.

The Portsmouth Road is a major road in Surrey, England, that runs from London to Portsmouth. It is one of the oldest roads in the country, dating back to Roman times. The road was originally built as a military route, connecting London with the important naval base at Portsmouth.

In the 17th century, the Portsmouth Road became a major trade route, as it was the only road that connected London with the south coast. This made it a popular target for highwaymen, who would rob travellers at gunpoint. One of the most famous highwaymen on the Portsmouth Road was Jerry Abershawe, who terrorised the area around Kingston in the 18th century.

The Portsmouth Road was also used by stage coaches, which provided a regular service between London and Portsmouth. The first stage coach service on the road was established in 1681, and by the 19th century, there were several stage coaches running each day.

The Portsmouth Road was also used by the military, as it was the main route for troops to be transported to Portsmouth. This was particularly important during the Napoleonic Wars, when the British government was concerned about a French invasion.

In the 19th century, the Portsmouth Road was improved by the construction of turnpikes. This made the road easier to travel, and it also led to an increase in traffic. The road was further improved in the 20th century, with the construction of bypasses around Guildford and Woking.

Today, the Portsmouth Road is a major road in Surrey, and it is still used by both motorists and pedestrians. It is a popular route for commuters, as it provides a direct link between London and Portsmouth. The road is also a popular tourist destination, as it passes through some of the most scenic parts of Surrey.

Here are some of the key events in the history of the Portsmouth Road:

1603: A petition is passed by Her Majesty for the expansion of the bench of justices of the town of Guildford along its route, in consideration of the importance of the Portsmouth Road.
1681: The first stage coach service on the road is established.
18th century: Jerry Abershawe, one of the most famous highwaymen on the road, terrorises the area around Kingston.
19th century: The Portsmouth Road is improved by the construction of turnpikes.
20th century: The road is further improved with the construction of bypasses around Guildford and Woking.

The Portsmouth Road is a historic road with a rich history. It has been used by travellers, soldiers, and highwaymen for centuries, and it continues to be a major road in Surrey today.

Fairmile motor racing

The circuit was narrow and winding

Fairmile in Cobham, Surrey was used for motor racing in the early 20th century. The first recorded race was in 1903, and the last was in 1924. The races were held on a 2.5-mile circuit that wound through the village and the surrounding countryside.

The Fairmile races attracted some of the biggest names in motor racing at the time, including Selwyn Edge, Henry Segrave, and Malcolm Campbell. The races were also very popular with spectators, and often drew crowds of tens of thousands of people.

However, the Fairmile races were also very dangerous. The circuit was narrow and winding, and there were no safety features in place. As a result, there were a number of serious accidents, including several fatalities.

The Fairmile races were eventually stopped in 1924 after a particularly bad accident. A racing car crashed into the crowd, killing one spectator and injuring several others.

Today, there is no evidence that the Fairmile circuit ever existed. The land has been developed over the years, and all that remains is a short stretch of road that is still called Fairmile.

So, while the Fairmile races were a popular and exciting event in the early 20th century, they were also very dangerous. It is perhaps not surprising that they were eventually stopped.

Fairmile Probus