The Monuments Walk
A scenic loop across heathland tracks, exploring the royal history of the Great Camp and Chobham Common.
Duration: Approx. 1.5 hours
Distance: 3.5 miles (5.6 km) circular route
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate (mostly flat common tracks and footpaths, but can be quite boggy in places after rain)
Start/End Point: Monument Car Park, Chobham Road (SL5 0HY)
Before You Start
📌 Note: The heathland is the largest National Nature Reserve in the South East and a vital sanctuary for rare wildlife. Please keep to the paths, protect the delicate ecosystem, and wear sturdy footwear as some low-lying sections can hold a lot of water.
*Map generated via AI for experience purposes only
The Route & History
Leg 1
The Monument to Brick Hill
Directions: With your back to the road, look towards the top left of the car park. Follow the leftmost public footpath sign beside a large oak tree up the small hill until you reach the Chobham Memorial Cross.
Directions: Walk past the monument, taking the path to its left. When you hit the main track, cross straight over it and take the wider path bearing slightly left ahead. At the next major cross path, turn right onto a well-defined track where the expansive views open up.
Directions: Follow this main track down the hill, passing through a kissing gate and crossing a small stream. Head up the opposite bank, follow the path through a gate, and turn right into Brick Hill.
Hidden History: The grey granite cross on the hill was erected in 1901. It commemorates Queen Victoria’s death and honors her famous visit to the common on June 21, 1853, to review 8,000 troops preparing for the Crimean War. An astonishing 100,000 spectators gathered here for what became known as the Great Camp!
Leg 2
Into Chobham Place Woods
Directions: Follow the road through Brick Hill as it bends around to the left. Just before the road terminates at a private gate, look out for a public footpath sign on your right.
Directions: Take this path into Chobham Place Woods. Follow the trail as it guides you through the trees, eventually bringing you out alongside a large, open field on your left. Keep your eyes peeled here, wild deer are frequent visitors to this clearing.
Leg 3
The Memorial & Queen Anne’s Drive
Directions: Continue along the edge of the woods until you reach the Chobham Woods Memorial. Walk past the monument and follow the direct trail leading straight out the other side.
Directions: Keep walking straight ahead across a minor cross path until you meet a wide avenue. Turn right onto this track, which is historically known as Queen Anne’s Drive. Follow it all the way until you pass between the historic avenue entrance posts.
Hidden History: Queen Anne’s Drive is framed by a magnificent avenue of ancient trees, originally planted to create a grand, sweeping approach road across the common.
Leg 4
Directions: Exit the woods and rejoin Valley End Road, turning right onto the pavement. Walk toward the Windsor Road junction, cross the road carefully, and pass through the gate back onto Chobham Common.
Heading Home via the M3 Underpass
Directions: Head straight ahead along the track (do not turn left). Keep going straight through a cross track at the edge of a small wooded patch. After about 500 meters, as the path opens up facing an expanse of gorse bushes, take the path veering off to the left towards the motorway noise.
Directions: Bear left at the end, then quickly turn right to pass safely through the M3 motorway underpass tunnel. Upon exiting, take the path bearing slightly right, cross the B386, and join the long, straight common track directly ahead.
Directions: Go straight across the next two cross tracks to retrace your initial steps back toward the monument. At the top of the hill just past a bench, turn left onto a smaller cross path where you will see the cross once again. Turn left right before reaching it to descend back into the Monument Car Park.