It’s official, I have now been a Surrey dweller for over six months. The majority of those months have been spent in some form of lockdown, which means that I have had more time to explore my local area in great depth. One of the only things we really can do at the moment is go for walks, so I have made it my mission to tick off as many as I can and find my personal favourite beauty spots in Surrey. I hope that by sharing them with you I can inspire you to lace up your walking boots and get outdoors.
Disclaimer: These walks are almost all over 10km, would not be suitable for prams and might be a bit of a challenge with small children. They can be strenuous trails!
Shalford Three Peaks.
An absolute corker. If you do this walk on a clear day you will take in view after view! There are three high points on this walk: High Ball, St Martha’s Church & Newlands Corner – all of which are absolutely stunning and look over the rolling Surrey Hills. Take a picnic and enjoy the abundance of natural beauty. Link to Trail
Newlands Corner & Shere.
This trail is a dreamy combination of stunning views and quaint Surrey villages. Starting at Newlands Corner, one of the best viewpoints in Surrey (and my personal favourite), you then loop down through the picturesque village of Shere. This is where the movie The Holiday was set! It is home to traditional cottages, a steam full of ducks and cute little cafes serving drinks to go. Link to Trail
The Surrey Highlights.
This is a trail I mapped out myself on AllTrails and my personal favourite – it combines the two trails above into one mega 20km walk! It takes in High Ball, St Martha’s Church, Newlands Corner AND the quaint village of Shere. It basically encompasses many of my favourite spots in the Surrey Hills, incredible views and gorgeous cottages – so be sure to give it a go if you’re up for a longer hike! Link to Trail
Leith Hill.
This viewpoint is one of the highest points in South East England, and from the top of the famous Leith Hill Tower you can see the London skyline on a clear day! There are numerous walks in the area which loop through Leith Hill as well as taking in the surrounding woodland, heathland and farmland. I recommend stopping off at The Plough Inn in nearby Coldharbour for a drink en route.
Top trail links:
Friday Street To Leith Hill Circular (my favourite!)
The Parrot, Leith Hill & Jayes Park
Box Hill.
I couldn’t talk about walking in the Surrey Hills without mentioning the famous Box Hill Hike. This walk has an abundance of steep inclines and declines, takes in gorgeous views and passes by a couple of country pubs and cafes, great spots to grab a refreshment. Just a heads up: get there early if you want to grab a parking spot, as it’s a popular hike! Link to Trail
Holmbury Hill & Pitch Hill.
A classic Surrey trail which takes in multiple hills, great views and lots of gorgeous woodland. I recommend getting there early to grab a parking spot and tackling the route in a counterclockwise direction, so you get rewarded with all the best views in the second half of the walk. Afterwards, stop off at nearby Heartworks coffee for a drink and a snack, it’s the cutest little outdoor spot with hot chocolate, hay bales and fairy lights! Link to Trail
Ranmore Circular & Denbies Wine Estate.
This slightly shorter trail, coming in at just under 10km, includes a gorgeous section walking above and through Denbies Wine Estate with views over the valley below. It is a varied route which also takes in Ranmore Common, Polesden Lacey Estate and part of the North Downs Way National Trail. It is one of my favourites for when I want a shorter walk! Link to Trail
What are your favorite Surrey walks? Let me know if you give any of these trails a go on social media @zannavandijk!
Zanna x
