The Surrey Hills are an important escape for many in these difficult times. Oldgreytravel has long used them for walks and cycle rides from his Guildford base, but recent events have encouraged many more to enjoy the benefits of this great natural resource. Typically, heavily forested and well drained, the walks are at their best in spring and autumn when leaf cover is at its most colourful and tantalizingly sparse. In winter, the trees take on a stark beauty of their own, but the short grey days can challenge the walker, while in summer the dense tree cover can become slightly oppressive and greatly restrict views across the landscape.
The great draw of the Surrey Hills is the view that can be had from the many hilltops, generally around the 800-1000 feet elevation. That southwards, across the Weald to the South Downs and the sea beyond, is one of the great vistas of southern England. Oldgreytravel can never look at this view for long without thinking of the furious aerial battles of 1940 that took place over this tranquil scene. Pillboxes and various other defences still scatter the landscape of what would have been the last defence line before London.
Three of oldgreytravel’s favourite hill walks are Pitch Hill, Holmbury Hill and Leith Hill. They form a triumvirate of sequential summits based around the picturesque villages of Peaslake, Holmbury St Mary and Abinger Common, some 5 miles east of Guildford and 2 miles west of Dorking.
Pitch Hill is best approached from Peaslake, an attractive jumble of buildings around a tiny road junction. The walk is up the gentle north slope of the Downs, a gentle climb to the summit at around 850 feet. The walk is through a largely evergreen forest with good, wide paths popular with off road cyclists who appreciate the well draining soil. Just keeping walking uphill on any of the many paths that criss cross through the forest. Thirty minutes walk will bring you to the summit with extraordinary views to the South Downs and the English Channel beyond. Return back to the village for lunch at the Hurtmore Inn with its excellent, locally brewed real ales and Italian food.
Holmbury Hill, less than a mile to the east, could be tackled as an add-on to the Pitch Hill ascent without too much effort. However, oldgreytravel normally prefers to park in the small village of Holmbury St Mary by the church, designed, built and gifted to the village by the Victorian architect, George Street who lived nearby in Holmdale, the house he also built for himself. From here, it is another gentle walk up the dip slope of the escarpment through a mixed woodland to the summit and Iron Age hillfort of Holmbury Hill. Topping out at 856 feet, there are the same expansive views to the South Downs and beyond. On return to Holmbury, be sure to stop at The Royal Oak, another wonderful Surrey country pub.
The third of the triumvirate is Leith Hill, the highest of all, topping out at a mighty 965 feet, the highest point in South East England. There are numerous starting points for access to this most popular of scenic spots, but oldgreytravel’s preferred route is the long, gentle ascent from Friday Street, some 2 miles to the north. The tower at the summit affords extensive views across 14 counties with Heathrow and central London clearly visible. Leith Hill is a major destination and has been since Victorian times, so can get busy on summer weekends. Such is the profusion of routes and places of interest that oldgreytravel will post separately and in more detail on how to enjoy this spectacular location.
