Surrey Hills Showcase 3 : Coldharbour and Friday Street

Starting off from the rural village of Holmwood, our circular route initially crosses farmland before the gradient intensifies as we go into forest and then pine forest as we go higher. The village of Coldharbour is one of the highest in the SE and can be a windy place. Sometimes shrouded in low cloud, it was orignally a hill fort and has a pub with its own micro brewery that established years before the current craze. 

Our route then flattens out for a while as we follow a well trodden bridal route heading Northwest before dipping down to cross the Tilling Bourne stream and over another ridge into Friday st with its tranquil lake jammed between forested hills.  (photo) This is a good place for lunch having shelter amongst the trees, and a good pub for a quick pint. 

After lunch we will take a steady incline up the river valley and through some managed pine forest to eventually reach the summit of Leith Hill, being the highest point in the SE, and crowned by the Victorian Folly tower which pushes just about 1000'. The tower is usually open (admisiion fee) and does tea and cake below for those not wishing to climb the stairs. However if it happens to be a clear day the views in all directions, including the London skyline, are well worth it. 

Leaving here there's a rather sharp descent down to the farmland below and onwards to Holmwood.