A WALK IN SURREY

Walkers in London are lucky. Right on their doorstep is the lovely walking countryside of Surrey, well within an hour’s drive for millions of people. Although I have lived in Surrey, just across the River Thames in Middlesex, all my life, I only really started to discover it four years ago. There is such a diversity of countryside, with the clay heaths and commons, the chalk downlands, the wooded, greensand hills, the very attractive farm and country houses, and the quaint and historic villages. I never cease to be surprised that, despite its own population of over a million and its close proximity to London’s sprawling suburbia, you can walk for miles in Surrey without seeing another soul.

One of the first walks that I tried in Surrey was from Newlands Corner, on the A25 between Dorking and Guildford. It has remained one of my favourites and I would like to offer it here to anyone who is keen to try a walk in Surrey, possibly for the first time. It is about seven miles in length and is moderately energetic since there are two fairly long but gradual climbs.

The route is varied with hillsides, farmland, woods and riversides and there are superb views from St Martha’s Hill and Newlands Corner, one of the North Downs’ most popular lookout points, 567 feet above sea level. An OS map, either 1:50,000 sheet 186 or 1:25,000 sheet TQ 04/14 would be useful as they embrace the whole route, the starting point being at GR 044492.

The view from the crest of the downs at Newlands Corner has always been famous and popular so, before starting your walk, look south. On a clear day you can see Chanctonbury Ring on the South Downs on the horizon and by looking to your right you will see the far western hills of Surrey around Blackdown and Hindhead.