BLOW away the cobwebs, burn off those extra Christmas calories and escape the confines of the house with a bracing winter walk. With an abundance of places to discover in our area and a bit further afield, we have found you a selection of self-guided routes to follow. Some of them are waymarked but you can download instructions and maps from websites or pick up leaflets from site information centres.
Box Hill, near Dorking – Nature Play Trail
Try one of the self-guided routes in the Discover Box Hill series from the National Trust. The Natural Play Trail is ideal for children. Follow the waymarked wooden posts though the Natural Play Trail archway, across Donkey Green, past a place to make a den and some great trees for climbing, across log bridges and past the magical picnic table. And when you are all worn out spend some time admiring those stunning views with a hot drink.
Start: Box Hill Visitor Centre, The Old Fort, Box Hill Road, Tadworth, KT20 7LB
Distance: Two miles
Time: One hour – or as long as you like
Terrain: Level
Download details: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
article-1356402922232/
Leith Hill, near Dorking – Woodland Walk
Starting at Leith Hill Tower, from the top of which you can admire the views , are a series of walks on this National Trust estate, indicated by coloured waymarkers. The Woodland Walk is enjoyable at all times of the year. It takes you though original parts of the estate and woodland, including the Walled Garden and rhododendron wood and even past one of Darwin's wormstones from his study of worm casts.
Start: Windy Gap car park, Abinger Road, Leith Hill , RH5
Distance: 2.5 miles
Time: 1 – 2 hours
Terrain: Moderate, steep parts, steps
Download details: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
article-1356404452568/
The Polesden Lacey Big Walk, Great Bookham
The National Trust Polesden walks have been re-signposted. There are now four main walks, each with its own name, colour and symbol. Look out for the new fingerposts and you can pick up a new leaflet for £1 from Visitor Reception. They range from the easiest Chalk Walk, suitable for children, up to the Big Walk, which is a challenging walk into the heart of Ranmore Common and with views over Denbies Hillside – here are the details for the Big Walk.
Start: Polesden Lacey Theatre Lawn, Great Bookham, RH5 6BD (admission charges apply)
Distance: 4.2 miles
Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Terrain: Steep and muddy in places, also suitable for tramper vehicles
Download: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
polesden-lacey/things-to-see-and-do/
view-page/item570464/
Shabden & Upper Gatton Parks Circular, near Chipstead
Get set for this seven-mile Reigate & Banstead Borough Council walk produced and managed in partnership with the Downlands Partnership. Starting at Chipstead Meads Recreation Ground, take a historic journey through country estates and rural downland parishes following the orange waymarkers. The route takes you past Shabden Park Farm, which is owned by Surrey County Council and managed by the Surrey Wildlife Trust. Walk through woodland and fields including Upper Gatton Wood, stop off at Fanny's Farm Shop, follow part of the Millennium Trail, pass Well House Inn with its well dating back to the Domesday Book and walk though the Long Plantation – a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Start: Chipstead Meads Recreation Ground car park, near Elmore Pond, High Road Chipstead
Distance: 7 miles
Time: 3 – 4 hours
Terrain: Much is level but some stiles and steep slopes
Download: www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/leisure
/hobbies/walking/
Reigate Hill Walk
Explore Reigate Fort on this National Trust walk and pause at the area of mowed grass where a US Flying Fortress crashed into Reigate Hill in 1945. At the Inglis Memorial admire views across the Weald and pass a historic Coal Tax post. Look out for a deep depression which used to be an entrance to a mine. Rest again at the Simpson Memorial. This route is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs because of some steps. However, you can access Colley Hill more easily by parking at Margery Wood and using the hard surface path. History lovers might also enjoy the Military History Walk also available on the website.
Start: Wray Lane car park, Reigate Hill, RH2
Distance: 3.3 miles
Time: 2 – 2 hours, 15 minutes
Terrain: Mostly fairly level with a steep decent and accent
Download: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
article-1356403248094/
East Horley Circular
Take in history dating back to Saxon times on this walk from Reigate & Banstead Borough Council in association with Gatwick Greenspace Partnership. Saxon swineherds would have driven their livestock along these footpaths and lanes. Lake Lane owes its origins to the Saxons whose word for stream was lake and the remains of Thunderfield Castle was once home to Saxon royalty. Second World War pillboxes stand in surrounding fields and you will follow Burstow Stream much of the way.
Start: The Farmhouse Pub, Ladbrook Road, Horley, RH6 8PB – you're welcome to park here
Distance: 5.83 miles
Time: 2.5 – 3 hours
Terrain: Flat, rough ground and stiles
Download: www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/leisure/
hobbies/walking/
Happy Valley and Farthing Downs Nature Trail, Coulsdon
Use your smartphone to walk this newly-launched trail by scanning the QR codes along its route. You will be directed to a web page hosted by the Friends of Farthing Downs which gives background information about what you can see. Learn about wildlife and the history of the area, including the burial mounds of Saxon chiefs. The nature trail is split into two sections of Farthing Downs, owned by City of London Corporation, and Happy Valley, owned by Croydon Council, and was established in the 1970s.
Start: Farthing Downs car park, Ditches Lane, Coulsden, nearest postcode CR5 1DA,
Distance: Two sections of 1.24 miles each
Time: 1 – 2 hours each section
Terrain: Farthing Downs section is mainly flat and easy going but sections 10 to 11 may be difficult for pushchairs; Happy Valley section is steeper, can be muddy, has steps and slopes, but still easy for most walkers
Download: www.friendsoffarthingdowns.co.uk
/gpage19.html – this is where the QR codes will take you www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
/things-to-do/green-spaces/
city-commons/farthing-downs/ – for more information
Kenley Heritage Trail, Kenley Common
Kenley Common, managed by the City of London Corporation, surrounds Kenley Airfield. It is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation valued for its grassland habitats, chalk, neutral and acid grasslands and ancient woodland and scrub. The Kenley Heritage Trail runs around the outside of the airfield starting at the Kenley Tribute and six history boards explain the airfield's importance and the role played during the two World Wars.
Start: Entrance is in Welcomes Road, Kenley, CR8 5HG, park in residential roads
Distance: Just over 2 miles
Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
Download: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do
/green-spaces/city-commons/kenley-common
London Loop – Sections 5, 6 and 7
Explore sections of the London Loop which go through Surrey. Section 5 starts at Hamsey Green (train to West Croydon and bus to Limpsfield Road) and in six miles it will take you through four commons – Riddlesdown, Kenley, Coulsdon and Farthing Downs, also taking in Happy Valley along the way before finishing at Coulsdon South. From Coulsdon South start Section 6 to Banstead Downs with views towards London and visit to The Oaks Park. It continues then into Section 7 to Bourne Hall Park and Ewell. You don't even have to complete all these sections – there are bus and train stations along the route for when you have had enough.
Start: Near the site of the former Good Companions pub (now demolished), Limpsfield Road, Hamsey Green, CR2
Distance: 6, 4.5 and 3.5 miles
Time: 4, 2.5 and 2 hours
Download: www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/walking/loop-walk
The Wandle Trail, Croydon to Wandsworth
Pick up this trail along the River Wandle anywhere along its 14 mile stretch from East Croydon station to the River Thames at Wandsworth. Break it into short stretches and you don't have to complete it all in one go. Take in landmarks such as Waddon Ponds, the National Trust's Morden Hall Park, and Merton Abbey Mills.
Start: East Croydon Station
Distance: 14 miles broken into several small legs
Time: 4 hours, 36 minutes total divided into smaller legs
Download: www.merton.gov.uk/leisure/visiting/attractions/wandletrail
Standen to Weir Wood Reservoir, East Grinstead
Explore historic woodland, meadows and ancient sandstone rock outcrops and enjoy views across to Ashdown Forest and the North Downs on a circular waymarked walk starting at the National Trust estate of Standen. The route takes in Weir Wood reservoir and its wildlife and offers views of Standen House and Saint Hill Manor along your route.
Start: Standen car park, West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, RH19 4NE (admission charges apply to Standen)
Distance: Two miles
Time: 1 hour
Terrain: Muddy in places, some uneven footing, one long steep hill
Download: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/article-1355791743928/
Pooh Walks – Ashdown Forest
Friends of Ashdown Forest offer a short walk suitable for young children and a longer walk, discovering the places made famous by Pooh Bear and his friends. Starting at Gills Lap – the Enchanted Place on the very top of the forest – pass the Lone Pine tree. Is this the site of the Heffalump Trap? See the memorial commemorating author AA Milne, Christopher Robin's father, and illustrator EH Shepard. Visit Roo's Sandy Pit, the site of the North Pole and Eeyore's Gloomy Place.
Start: Gills Lap car park off B2026
Distance: 0.6 miles and 2 miles
Time: 30 minutes and 1 hour
Terrain: Easy terrain, short route suitable for buggies
Download: www.ashdownforest.org/enjoy/walking/docs/
Walk1_PoohWalksFromGillsLap.pdf
Stone Hill Rocks, East Grinstead
Starting at the entrance to the National Trust estate of Standen, pass Standen and walk to Stone Hill Rocks – a Site of Special Scientific Interest featuring sandstone rocks on a hill overlooking Weir Wood Reservoir and popular with climbers. Cross over and then pass under Bluebell Railway and pass Saint Hill Manor and back to the start.
Start: Entrance to Standen, West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, RH19 4NE
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 1 hour
Terrain: Includes hills
Download: www.eastgrinstead.gov.uk/tourism/leaflet-stand/
east-grinstead-area-walks/
Ditchling Beacon to Devils Dyke, Brighton
Head towards to coast and really blow away the cobwebs with this walk along the South Downs Way. Stunning views north and south greet you. Devils Dyke is the largest dry valley in the United Kingdom and the landscape was formed during the Ice Age. Along the way you will see the landmark Jack and Jill Windmills at Clayton.
Start: Ditchling Beacon car park, Ditchling Road, off A27 at Hollingbury; Devil's Dyke car park is two miles north of A27 and just off A281
Distance: 5 miles
Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Terrain: Moderate to strenuous with some steep climbs and descents
Download: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/devils-dyke/
things-to-see-and-do/view-page/item559951/
Winter Woodland Walk at Nymans, Handcross, Sussex
Explore these ancient woods of the National Trust estate and discover what has been hidden away once all the trees are stripped of leaves and the ground is free of undergrowth. See winter evergreens and seasonal berries.
Look out for a fallen branch which has been turned into a wood carving, find the tallest tree in Sussex, listen to the trickle of the cascades and if it snows, enjoy a snowball fight in the meadow.
Start: Nymans, Handcross, near Haywards Heath, RH17 6EB (admission charges apply)
Distance: 2.5 miles
Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
Terrain: Slopes, steps and boardwalk, muddy
Download: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans/
things-to-see-and-do/article-1355799679099/
