In Ash, nature and local history can be explored as different focuses for a stay. The trails vary in length, terrain description and stated duration; Lakeside Nature Reserve adds several wetland habitats to the nature experience. The museum, chapel, church and cemetery each offer a different historical perspective. You can plan your visit according to whether you mainly want to go for a walk, are looking for a particular trail or are interested in the history of the area.
Walking Trails and Wetlands
Transported Through Ash is a 5-mile (8.5-kilometre) circular walking trail over easy terrain. The route connects the old railway path with the towpath of the Basingstoke Canal. If you are looking for a circular route, this named trail links the two sections. The Rail Trail – Ash is 2 miles long and takes approximately 2 hours. By comparison, Transported Through Ash is longer and described as easy; an approximate duration is given for the Rail Trail. This lets you weigh up trail length, terrain description and time when choosing between them.
The Blackwater Valley Path runs along the entire River Blackwater and can be accessed from various points within the Parish of Ash. The river also forms part of the boundary of the Parish of Ash. The towpath of the Basingstoke Canal can also be accessed from various points within the parish. These details describe different trail connections: the Blackwater Valley Path follows the river, while the canal towpath can be included in your plans as a separate trail section.
Lakeside Nature Reserve includes wetland habitats with a river, ponds and lakes, as well as reed beds, an orchid meadow and wet woodland. The variety of habitats defines the character of the reserve. The easy, one-hour walk Explore Ash and Lakeside Nature Reserve passes through water meadows and ponds and offers the chance to observe a wide variety of waterbirds. The reserve also has several viewing platforms for watching waterbirds. If you want to plan a walk of a specific duration, you can distinguish this route from the longer trail options.
Local History and Heritage
Ash Museum presents the local history of Ash, Ash Vale, Ash Green and Tongham. Its scope therefore extends beyond Ash and includes several named places. As of 2026, Ash Museum is fully accessible to wheelchair users. For visitors interested in local history as well as walking trails, the museum offers a focus in its own right.
The Memorial Chapel was completed as a cemetery chapel in 1889 and later used as a museum. Its features include stained-glass windows from the 1920s, provided by Henry Morris Chester of Poyle Park. They commemorate the men from Ash, Wyke and Normandy who fell in the First World War. The chapel thus combines its original purpose with a memorial to several places.
St Peter’s Church features Norman flint and stone construction dating back to 1170; the church is listed Grade II*. The two world wars are the focus of another historical theme at Ash Cemetery: across several sections, the cemetery contains 11 graves from the First World War and 9 from the Second World War. Together with the chapel and church, this offers a range of ways to explore local history, from architectural history to remembrance of the fallen.
Discover more destinations: Bookham, Redhill, Albury, Farnham, Shepperton, Peasmarsh, Charlwood, Seale.
For the wider travel overview: Surrey.
