View site as:

Reigate Heath, Surrey

Difficulty Moderate

Walking time 5 hours 30 minutes

Length 19.3km / 12.0mi

Route developer: Fiona Barltrop

Route checker: John Alsop

Start location Car Parks, Reigate Heath
Route Summary An attractive circular route on sections of two way-marked trails : the North Downs Way and the Greensand Way. The highest point of this walk is Box Hill, from where there are extensive views across the Weald to the South Downs.
*move mouse over graph to see points on route
Getting there

Mainline trains to Reigate, 2km/1½ miles from the start; the 32 bus between Redhill and Guildford, with stops at Reigate Heath, Betchworth and Brockham (0871 200 2233, http://www.traveline.info). 

Description

This attractive route makes use of two well-way marked trails ; the North Downs Way (a National Trail) for its outward leg and the Greensand Way for the return.

[1] From the car park, head north-east along the grass on the west side of the road towards the A25, keeping straight ahead into the dead-end  when the road beside you curves left. Cross with care and go up Colley Lane, a public bridle-way, opposite. Cross the railway, pass by a rugby club and a few minutes later turn left, at the footpath sign, onto "The Clears" , then passing some houses. Bear right by the stables to follow the grassy path gently uphill towards the North Downs.

[2] On reaching the foot of the scarp slope, you enter  woodland and turn left along the footpath. soon joining the North Downs Way. Keep straight ahead and then stay on the path at the foot of the slope and on the edge of woodland, now following the North Downs Way signs. Note: Though the route is generally well signed, some way-marks/signposts are missing, so it’s worth paying attention to an OS map so you always know where you are.

[3] At the B2032, turn left and cross the road. Just before the bend, follow a raised path behind the trees. This then returns to the roadside. After a quarter of a mile, turn right along along a lane called The Coombe (signed North Downs Way). Bear left past some cottages after which  the lane soon becomes a track/path that takes you past the former Betchworth chalk quarry and lime kilns – now a nature reserve (see information panel) – and through the Brockham Limeworks site (another info panel).

(A) Quarried chalk was burned in kilns to produce quick lime used to make mortar and fertiliser. This area is also notable for its yew trees, which thrive on chalky soil.

After the information board keep ahead uphill. Having passed a second Brockham Limeworks info panel, you descend for a short distance, then turn sharp right to head uphill again. At the top of the hill (TQ198514) there is seat and behind it a grave in memory of "Quick- An English Thoroughbred". ("Quick" was actually a dog !). Keep following the North Downs Way signs until you eventually reach Box Hill, with its Salomons memorial/viewpoint and trig point. (Be aware mid-section of a sharp right turn followed by steep steps where the finger post was missing at the time this route was checked in April 2013)

[4] For the nearby visitor centre and café, stay on the paved upper path, then retrace your steps to the viewpoint.

Otherwise, follow the North Downs Way downhill until you reach a footpath sign pointing sharp left. Take this path, which soon goes gently uphill passing through a couple of metal gates. Bear right onto a track which leads to a tarmac lane where you go right again. Pass under the railway line and keep straight ahead. Cross the footbridge over the River Mole and walk through the garden centre car park to reach the A25.

[5] Cross with care and then bear left along the drive for the Betchworth Park Golf Club. Follow the bridle-way across the golf course to the attractive village of Brockham, with its village green. Pass the pump house, cross the road towards the Royal Oak and keep ahead passing in front of the Grumpy Mole restaurant. At Brockham Pound turn 90o left and from now on follow the Greensand Way signs. Cross the River Mole and continue until you reach the Church of St  Michael and All Angels at Betchworth.

(B) The church at Betchworth features in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral.

[6] Walk through the churchyard, pass through a stone gateway, and cross the road by the Dolphin Inn onto Wonham Lane. Walk for 200 yards and  then climb the steps on the left to join a path above the road. Continue parallel with the road, then bear left into a field and follow the hedge on your right to the near right-hand corner of the field. Turn left (no finger post) along Sandy Lane and walk up to the T-junction 1/2 mile ahead.  Turn right, then almost immediately turn right again up some steep steps and continue to a stile. After 150 yards bear left over a stile and diagonally across a field to another stile in the far corner. Cross the stile, turn right and then almost immediately left through a kissing gate. When you reach a farm lane turn right and pass through Dungates Farm. Shortly after, bear right at the Y-junction and continue ahead until you reach the golf course, still following the Greensand Way.

[7]  On reaching the golf course head towards the Club House and Windmill leaving them both to your left. Still follow the Greensand Way until you meet a path running parallel to the road - follow this back to the car parks about 10 minutes away.

 

POI information No details available.
Notes

Maps: OS Explorer 146; Landranger 187.

Eating & Drinking: Several pubs both in Reigate and along the route, restaurant in Brockham and NT cafe at Box Hill Visitor Centre. There is a grocery shop in Brockham (100 yards off the route to right at the pump house)

Sleeping: Hotels and B&B's in Reigate.

Visitor Information: Guildford TIC, 155 High Street (01483 444333, http://www.visitsurrey.com).

Local Ramblers Groups: Reigate Ramblers (01293 773198, http://www.reigateramblers.org.uk); Surrey Under 40s Ramblers (http://www.surreyyoung walkers.org.uk).

Acknowledgements

 Route devised by Fiona Barltrop for the Spring 2013 (38) issue of Walk Magazine.

  • Box Hill
    Box Hill
    By - Fiona Barltrop
  • Approaching the scarp face of the North Downs
    Approaching the scarp face of the North Downs
    By - John Alsop
  • Box Hill view and trig points
    Box Hill view and trig points
    By - John Alsop
  • Looking back across Betchworth Park golf course to Box Hill and the North Downs
    Looking back across Betchworth Park golf course to Box Hill and the North Downs
    By - John Alsop
  • The pump house in Brockham village
    The pump house in Brockham village
    By - John Alsop
  • The Pound at Brockham (the route turns sharp left here). Brockham
    The Pound at Brockham (the route turns sharp left here). Brockham's own Act of Parliament (1812) allowed only poultry to depasture the Green. Cattle or horses were impounded until a fine had been paid to the Lord of the Manor.
    By - John Alsop
  • St Michaels Church which featured in the 1994 film "Four Weddings and a Funeral". The route passes through the churchyard.
    St Michaels Church which featured in the 1994 film "Four Weddings and a Funeral". The route passes through the churchyard.
    By - John Alsop
  • The Greensand Way midway between Betchworth village and Reigate Heath
    The Greensand Way midway between Betchworth village and Reigate Heath
    By - John Alsop
  • Reigate Heath windmill which dates back to 1765 and is believed to be the only windmill in the world that is also a consecrated church. Alongside is the Reigate Heath golf club clubhouse - the route passes just to the South of these.
    Reigate Heath windmill which dates back to 1765 and is believed to be the only windmill in the world that is also a consecrated church. Alongside is the Reigate Heath golf club clubhouse - the route passes just to the South of these.
    By - John Alsop
  • The view from Box Hill, looking south-west across Dorking.
    The view from Box Hill, looking south-west across Dorking.
    By - John Alsop
This route has been viewed 209 times
Reviews
2 reviews
Overall rating:
Jun 07, 2013
john
(1 reviews)
With reference to Kevin Doyle's review below it should be noted that the route had not been checked at the time he walked it. I checked the route right at the end of April and found it necessary to enhance the original directions in many places, including the specific example mentioned on the approach to Box Hill, where the NDW finger post was also missing. The final version, published on here since 27th May, should make the direction finding straight forward, though I would always recommend that an OS map of the immediate area is carried. John Alsop (Route Checker)
Apr 26, 2013
k.doyle1
(1 reviews)
This is a beautiful walk covering lovely countryside. I would agree that it is moderate and has great views. However we found the directions lacking (we have been walking for years) An example of this is the approach to Box Hill. There are no notes to say descend along way and climb up via a set of steep steps. En rout we checked with a local dog walker and having read the notes, he commented they were not correct. We did avail of the NT cafe and had a pleasant stop, with sunshine. Our way down was less successful and were soon on our own. Thos was a great shame as this is a brilliant area to walk. I would love to know how the walk checker gets on and where we went wrong. Many thanks Kevin
Page 1 of 1 (2 items)