Wednesday Wander: Monarchs, Monks and Hidden Marvels

*** This walk takes place midweek on a Wednesday***

At a loose end during the week? Retired? Shift worker? Then why not take advantage of doing a midweek hike?

We'll start in Redhill and work our way up to the top of Reigate Hill. Once there we will continue along the ridge before dropping back down to pleasant heathland. It will then be a mixture of scenery and hopefully some early spring colours. Every step of the way we will be presented with history and interesting features.

Click on this Link to view the route (opens OS Maps)

We start at Redhill station and soon leave behind shops and then housing to climb to the top of Reigate Hill. On route we pass Wray Common windmill, constructed in 1824.  It long ceased to be a working mill and is now a private residence. At the top of Reigate Hill we'll pass some of the main TV/radio/mobile transmitters for the area and also Reigate Fort. This fort was built in the late 1890s to offer protection from foreign invasion. Despite the reputation of the British Navy, at this time confidence was low in the navy being able to withstand enemy attacks. Further along we are greeted by a touching memorial to the nine airman killed, when tragically their plane crashed during bad weather in 1945. As we continue along the ridge we are offered stunning views of the area. Any noise from the M25, only a stone throw away, seems cancelled out by a green canopy.

A sometimes steep climb down from the hill takes us down to heathland. We will stop for lunch here before seeing Reigate Heath Windmill. A beautifully maintained mill built in 1765 it is now a place of worship. In fact it is thought to be the only windmill converted to a church in the world! Moving on from the windmill we'll grab a drink at the Skimmington Castle.

Slowly winding our way back we leave heathland and move into more wooded and farmland areas. We'll eventually reach Reigate Priory Park. The first sight well see will be Priory Pond. This lovely oasis was originally used by monks when the area contained a monastery. Moving through the park we'll then reach Reigate Priory. This stunning building and site, nearly 800 years old, was once the monastery. The dissolution of the monasteries put an end to the religious use of the site. It then became a home passing through various families. There are links to King Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, and King Edward VII. Now a school its future use is uncertain as the school is due to the leave the site for modern facilities.

After leaving the park we start to move through suburbia winding our way back to Redhill station. Here the walk will finish, but people are welcome to grab a drink before setting off home.

Dogs: 

I love having dogs on my walks. I just ask that owners please ensure they are kept on a lead as appropriate, especially around livestock and when near busy roads. Please, also remember that not everyone is a dog lover.

Don’t Waste That Space!

Walks get filled up quite quickly, so please only sign up if you know you are free to attend. Plans do sometimes change, but remember to free up your space so someone else can attend.

New Members:

If this is your first event or you are new to OutdoorLads we’d love to see you. Please message me if you have any questions.

Looking For More:

Check out this Link for details of other walks taking place in the South East.

Check out this Link for details of provisional upcoming events in the ODL diary.

(All photos taken by the leader and permission is given for OutdoorLads to reuse them.)