Discover Milford through its architectural and local history, or explore Witley and Milford Commons. These are two distinct ways to plan your visit: Walk 13 is a street walk through Milford, while a separate circular walking route crosses the two commons. There are also historic buildings and a nature play trail with climbing and balancing features.
Architectural and local history in Milford
The Milford Conservation Area lies around the junction of Portsmouth Road and Church Road and extends out in every direction from there. On Church Road are the cottages at numbers 9, 11 and 15. Sir Edwin Lutyens designed or built them in 1898. For those interested in architecture, the precise date is a useful reference point: all three houses are associated with the same year and the same architect.
St. John’s Church is on Church Road, next to Jubilee Field. The Webb family mausoleum is in the churchyard of St. John the Evangelist. The Webbs lived at Milford House from the 18th century until 1926. The church, churchyard and mausoleum offer different points of reference for discovering Milford: sacred architecture, a burial place, and the story of a family connected with Milford House over several centuries.
The White Lion: several layers of history
The White Lion in Milford was a former coaching inn on a 16th-century coach route. An extension wing dates from the 17th century; additions were made on the south-east side in the 18th century. These building phases can be seen as distinct periods in the history of the house, rather than reducing it to a single date of origin.
A murder story is also associated with The White Lion. The inn is one of two former inns linked to the notorious murder of an unknown sailor in 1786. The murder story became part of the plot of Charles Dickens’ “Nicholas Nickleby”. The literary connection relates to the story, not to an appearance by the building in the novel. Architecture, local legend and literary history are therefore linked here, while remaining distinct aspects.
Street walk or walks on the commons?
Walk 13 is a street walk through Milford and offers a different kind of exploration from the National Trust circular walking route around Witley and Milford Commons. This route follows dry sandy paths through the different habitats of the two commons. The distinction can help you plan your day: one route is a street circuit through Milford, while the other explores the commons on a walk through a variety of habitats.
A nature play trail also starts at the Webb Road car park on Witley and Milford Commons. It focuses mainly on climbing and balancing. Free guided walks also explore the two commons. This gives you several ways to enjoy the outdoors: a circular walking route, a play trail or a guided walk. Many paths on the commons are level and relatively smooth. There are benches, but no toilets; check the current facilities before your visit.
Considering Milford as an overnight destination
Witley and Milford Commons can be reached by train via Milford station. If you are considering Milford as an overnight destination, the focus of your day may help you decide: local history and architecture offer a different emphasis from the walking opportunities on the commons. When looking for a hotel in Milford, first consider which of these interests will shape your trip.
Discover more destinations: Ashford, Chaldon, East Molesey, Peaslake, Gatwick, Englefield Green, Cobham, Esher
For the main travel overview: Surrey.
