Albury, near Guildford, Surrey GU5 9BW
Silent Pool
Pond landscape
Place photograph
5.8
Wildland
Under 1 hour for the pool
Time
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Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.8Clear spring water, woodland and evergreen box trees give Silent Pool its distinctive stillness. Its best-known story is a local legend involving Prince John and a young woman who drowned here; the tale is folklore, not verified history.
Silent Pool is a small place with a strong sense of character: striking turquoise water set beneath woodland, an unsettling local legend and longer walks through the Surrey Hills nearby. It is a worthwhile stop, though the pool itself is a brief visit rather than a full day’s destination.
Peaceful · Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling
Find your way
Open mapAlbury, near Guildford, Surrey GU5 9BW
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The experience
Come for the still, vivid water and the woodland setting. Treat the pool as a short stop; if you want a substantial outing, use it as the starting point or highlight of a longer local walk.
Things to do
Take in the pool’s woodland setting
Pause beside the clear, turquoise water and notice how the woodland and evergreen box trees frame it.
Under 1 hour
Walk a longer Surrey Hills circuit
A published circular route includes Silent Pool, Farley Heath, Black Heath, Albury Warren and Tilling Bourne, with woodland and open terrain. The route is described as hard and can be muddy after rain.
4.5–5 hours
Visit Silent Pool Distillery
Visit the adjacent distillery as a separate stop; check its current tour availability, opening and booking details before setting out.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
A quiet look at Silent Pool
- 01
Visit the pool and take in its clear water, woodland setting and evergreen box trees.
- 02
Read the Prince John story as local folklore, not established history.
Half day · 4.5–5 hours
Pool and Surrey Hills circular walk
- 01
Follow the published circular route from the Silent Pool area.
- 02
Explore the mix of woodland and open countryside, with the pool among the route’s sights.
- 03
Expect a demanding walk with climbs; check conditions and plan for potentially muddy ground.
Verified history
The supplied sources describe Silent Pool as a former chalk quarry fed by underground springs. A supplied video also says that Sherborne Pond, downstream, was created in the mid-17th century; this is a separate pond, not a date for Silent Pool itself.
Folklore & legend
Local legend tells of a woodcutter’s daughter bathing in the pool who was pursued into the water by a nobleman on horseback and drowned. The tale identifies the pursuer as Prince John, said to be recognised by the crest on his hat. This is folklore, not verified history.
Hidden details
Box trees around the pool — Look for the distinctive evergreen box trees framing the water, a feature highlighted in the local destination description.
When to go
October · November · A quiet morning, when the pool’s still atmosphere may be most apparent.
A supplied local destination description highlights autumn colour. The pool’s appearance changes with season and weather, so no precise peak period is established.
The longer circular route may be muddy after rain; waterproof footwear is recommended by the route source.
The route
- ascent
- 1,230 ft
- surface
- Mixed; includes natural, sandy and paved sections; some surface unknown
- distance
- 10 miles
- duration
- 4.5–5 hours
- difficulty
- Hard
- route shape
- Loop
- start point
- Silent Pool area; confirm the precise start point before setting out.
- parking start
- Check before visiting
- Silent Pool
- Farley Heath
- Black Heath
- Albury Warren
- Tilling Bourne
- Woodland and open countryside
Worth pairing with
Silent Pool Distillery
An adjacent distillery that offers tours; check current availability and booking details before visiting.
Albury Vineyard
A nearby vineyard listed by Visit Surrey as a local pairing. Check opening and visitor arrangements before planning a stop.
Newlands Corner
Listed nearby by Visit Surrey; consider it as an additional countryside stop, checking access and conditions before travel.
What to look for
Notice the clear water, woodland framing and evergreen box trees. Keep the story of Prince John in the realm of local legend.
The story
Folklore & legend
Best time to go
Autumn for colour; the pool’s appearance varies with season and weather.
A quiet morning may bring out the pool’s still atmosphere. Autumn colour is noted in a supplied video; the water’s appearance varies with season and weather.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour for the pool; allow 1–2 hours for a longer walk nearby
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · History lovers · Couples
Before you go
Practical information
Opening & access
A well-known pond and waterside beauty spot near Albury. Public access arrangements and any restrictions are not confirmed by the supplied sources; check before visiting. Do not enter the water unless access and permission are explicitly confirmed. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
Check before visiting
Parking
Check before visiting
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Toilets
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Food & drink
The supplied sources mention nearby food and drink businesses; check opening and access details before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
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Check before visiting
Accessibility
Check before visiting for path conditions and access information. A longer circular walk in the area is described as hard and may be muddy after rain.
Check before visiting
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Water
Pond
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Silent Pool
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
