Head for the Heights of the Surrey Hills
Posted on 28/03/10
Leith Hill Tower, on the crest of the North Downs, is the highest point in the South East of England. An amazing 13 counties are visible on a clear day. These Surrey summits are simply breathtaking.
The National Trust has all the details of four of Surrey’s most panoramic and accessible sites:
Leith Hill, near Dorking, provides even more than spectacular views. The walks are exhilarating and the Rhododendron Wood on the southern slopes of the hill is a mass of colour in the spring and early summer. Leith Hill Tower, a fortified folly, is open on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays for a small admission charge. Refreshments are available.
The Devil’s Punchbowl at Hindhead is a natural amphitheatre covered with heath, small streams and areas of woodland. Legend has it that it was created by the Devil, but it was actually formed by springs cutting down and back into the soft rock. It offers easy access to fantastic views, miles of footpaths and cycle routes – and the National Trust Café serving fresh local produce.
Gibbet Hill, which lies just above the Devil’s Punch Bowl, also commands extensive views across the Weald. The hill marks the site where three footpads were hanged after murdering a sailor on the then wild wastelands of Hindhead Common.
Box Hill, near Tadworth, is another Surrey summit that’s great for families, walkers, ramblers, cyclists and naturalists. It’s a wonderful area of woodland and open chalk downland, with views stretching towards the South Downs. The summit has a new Discovery Zone, guided walks and impromptu tours (the noticeboard has details) and new mountain bike hire facilities. There’s also a refreshment servery, National Trust Shop, Information Centre, toilets and car parking.
Newlands Corner on the Albury Downs (at Shere, nr Guildford) provides more great views across the Weald of Kent to the ridge of the South Downs. In spring and summer, this chalk grassland is a spectacular carpet of wild flowers. It’s new Visitor Centre is now complete with information on the Surrey Wildlife Trust and its other sites. There are interactive wildlife games for children and a live webcam trained on the bird box and wildlife garden. The Newlands Corner Tramper, a self-drive buggy designed for countryside conditions, can be booked (free of charge) for the use of the disabled visitor on most Sundays. To book the tramper email or call 07891 850894.
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15 Jul 2011
Mondraker comes to Bedgebury
Quench Cycles has joined forces with distributor Silverfish to sell Mondraker bikes through its Forestry Commission outlets at Bedgebury and Alice Holt. There will be a Demo Day on 23 and 24 July! Read more
Missing all those outdoor activities offered for Countryside2011? Get out and about with National Bike Week @TGBBikeWeek http://bit.ly/Hb38D
Congratulations to all the winners of the fab prizes offered by Countryside 2011 http://bit.ly/ltlSB4
We’d love to hear what you thought of the events or activities you took part in. Please complete our online survey http://ow.ly/5gjs9
Water-ski, Wakebaord or Jet Ski at the South East’s Premier Watersports Venue. http://bit.ly/kOqJfG
See the red squirrels in the walk-through enclosure at the British Wildlife Centre! Visit http://bit.ly/k2thrJ
