Breath-taking, Blood-pumping Box Hill and Beyond

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Lowland and Hill Walks
May 01
2021

19 people attending

2 places left

Your price
£12.50
Event difficulty background shape EventDifficulty
Easy Moderate Very Hard
Distance is 18 km (11 miles); terrain is very hilly with a number of ascents and descents; total height gain is 565m, surfaces are dirt, grass, chalk and tarmac.

Please note that following the announcement that organised outdoor sports activities are exempt from the 'rule of six', I have raised the potential number of participants on this event to 20.

'They had a very fine day for Box Hill…Seven miles were travelled in expectation of enjoyment and everybody had a burst of admiration on first arriving.'

Like Jane Austen's Emma Woodhouse and her party we'll be impressed at the scenery, but our party will also be impressed at the walk-leading prowess of the lovely Neil Prior whose assessed walk and brainchild this event is. Before Box Hill, though, there will be range of sights and scenes from a vast vineyard to mixed woodland (with the last of the bluebells) to open pasture and a glimpse of one of the prettiest properties the National Trust owns. Incidentally, we'll be descending, not ascending, the infamous Box Hill steps. Your support for Neil is sought on this stimulating springtime stride.

The sights:

Westhumble: High-class leafy suburbia, very well-kept. The station we start the walk at is among the most noteworthy in the south: designed by Charles Henry Driver in 1869 in a 'chateauesque' style with steeply-pitched roofs, gothic details, porch and weathervane.

Denbies Wine Estate: This has the largest vineyard in England, with 265 acres (1.07 km2) under vines, representing more than 10 per cent of the plantings in the whole of the United Kingdom. The visitors' centre that attracts around 300,000 visits a year. The chalky terroir and sunny aspect grows both white and red grape varieties.

Ranmore Common: On top of the Downs, a long green with scattered houses all around. St Bartholomew's Church, 1859, is by Sir George Gilbert Scott. Hard and imposing, but successful. The tower and spire are a landmark for many miles around. The Common itself is mixed woodland in the care of the National Trust.

Polesden Lacey: A pretty Grecian villa of 1824, Edwardianised in 1906. Now one of the National Trust's most recognisable properties, pretty, informal and electic with a cupola and Ionic colonnade. Seen at a distance.

Mickleham: A pretty, unpretentious village winding up the hill, bypassed in 1934 by a a road considered among the best-integrated into the landscape. St Michael's Church is fundamentally Norman with a massive C12 tower. Graveboards - a local speciality - remain in the churchyard. Pretty Rose Cottage is ealry C19, Old House is 1636. Cherkley Court is 1893, bought by Max Aitken, Lord Beaverbrook and proprietor of the Daily Express in 1910. The house attracted many famous weekend guests including Winston Churchill, Bonar Law, Rebecca West, H.G. Wells, Harold Macmillan and Rudyard Kipling. An al fresco drink at The Running Horses may be on the cards.

Box Hill: A famous high-point on the North Downs and part of the Surrey Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The highest point is 224 metres at Betchworth Clumps, but 171 metres at the popular Salomon's Memorial viewpoint which overlooks the town of Dorking. It takes its name from the ancient box woodland found on the steepest west-facing chalk slopes overlooking the River Mole. The north- and south-facing slopes support an area of chalk downland, noted for its orchids and other rare plant species which in turn support over 40 species of butterfly. It is managed by the National Trust, who run a cafe and visitor centre on the site (https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/box-hill).

River Mole Stepping Stones: A crossing on the River Mole at this point was probably present in prehistoric times. The first record of stepping stones is from 1841, when they were used to access the waypole that measured the height of the river. The present stones were dedicated in 1946 by the then Prime Minister Clement Attlee after the orginals were removed as an anti-invasion measure.

Dogs:

This walk is suitable for them although there may be some stiles and country lanes to walk along and roads to cross. There will likley be fields with livestock. Any dog off its lead must be under control.

The route: (please click on the link in red to see it)

Heading south out of Westhumble, we'll reach the North Downs Way. Heading southeast we'll cross Denbies Estate and ascend Ranmore Common, leaving the trees at Ranmore Common Road to view the view before heading back into the Common. Near Tanners Hatch we'll reach Connicut Lane. At Polesden Road a byway will take us around the edge of Great Bookham. From Admiral's Road we'll head east across Fetcham Downs to pass Norbury Park. Near Norbury Park Farm we'll cross the A24 and head south through Mickleham. Ath the church we'll bear east again, cross Downs Road and ascend Box Hill along Juniper Bottom near Flint Hill we'll head west to go to the Salomon's Memorial. We'll then descend using the steps, cross the Mole on the stepping stones, the A24 and Denbies again before heading north back to Westhumble Station.

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COVID-19 - IMPORTANT: Please read the following before you sign up to this event:

  • Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are extremely mild, or who lives or is in a support bubble with someone showing symptoms, is asked not to attend. This is in line with the government’s coronavirus advice.
  • You must also immediately self-isolate and not attend the event if you or someone in your household or support bubble shows coronavirus symptoms or tests positive. You can find the NHS self-isolation guidance here.
  • The main symptoms of COVID-19 are a high temperature, a new continuous cough, and a loss or change to your sense of taste and/or smell.
  • You may be subject to local lockdown restrictions, which you must fully comply with. Details of the location of these restrictions can be found here for England, ScotlandWales, and Northern Ireland.   
  • We do not encourage car sharing to events during the pandemic. Please comply with the safety travel guidance for EnglandWales, and Scotland. Face coverings should be worn on public transport.
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  • All are required to practice social distancing – staying 2m (not 1m) apart at all times, including the lunch stop. Remember: Face, Hands, Space.
  • Unfortunately, there won’t be any planned pub / café stops en route or at the end, and please don’t share sweets or snacks with others – we’re sorry!
  • Please bring your own hand sanitising gel for your own use throughout the day. Use of face coverings is at your own choice, but please bring one with you just in case it's needed. Please bring any other PPE items required. Bring a disposable bag for any used PPE.
  • Members are advised to bring their own small first aid kit for personal use..
  • Be aware that opportunities for toilet stops may be minimal if facilities are closed.
  • Please, please cancel at your earliest opportunity if you are unable to attend or are unwell, so that we can allow others to take up these valuable event spaces.
  • Much as it's difficult - no handshakes or hugs!

COVID-19: Participation Statement

OutdoorLads draws your attention to the fact that travelling and being away from home increases the risk of receiving and transmitting Coronavirus, whilst it is present in the UK. You are likely to choose not to participate in OutdoorLads events whilst there is a risk of Coronavirus transmission. However, should you choose to participate in OutdoorLads events whilst the risk is present, you must be aware of and follow the law and government guidelines, both when travelling to and from events as well as when participating in events.

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(Picture credits: View from Steers Field: Photo © Alan Hunt (cc-by-sa/2.0); Vines at Box; Photo © Kurseong Carl (cc-by-sa/2.0); Ranmore Common Road, near Dorking: Photo © Ian Capper (cc-by-sa/2.0) Photo © Malc McDonald (cc-by-sa/2.0); Houses, Norbury Park Estate: Photo © Ian Capper (cc-by-sa/2.0); Mickleham churchyard: Photo © Ian Capper (cc-by-sa/2.0); North Downs Way: Photo © Ian Capper (cc-by-sa/2.0); Zig Zag Road: Photo © Ian Capper (cc-by-sa/2.0). All images are copyrighted but are designated 'Free to share and use' under Creative Commons CC BY-SA 2.0 and are here attributed to their copyright holders.)

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