Walking near Dorking - vines, views and Polesden Lacey

Date: Saturday 24th March 2012

Route: Box Hill & Westhumble Circular via Polesden Lacey

Distance: 7.5 miles

Although we walked this route (no. 14 in the Time Out Book of Country Walks Volume 2) five years ago, I had little more than a hazy memory of a good walk with a big section through a vineyard when we set off today.

It was great to discover that this is a beautiful walk, with at least three really picturesque places to stop and picnic on a sunny day. Also worth noting that it's a lot easier to drive there on the M25 rather than going through Kingston etc and getting stuck in traffic (definitely one to remember next time!).

The walk starts off from Box Hill & Westhumble station, with views of Box Hill dominating the first part of the walk. As well as playing a big part in Jane Austen's Emma, Box Hill will be in the news this summer when the Olympic Cycling Road Race will take place there. 

The path crosses the National Trust's Chapel Farm Fields, across fields and up a track through woods past the idyllically situated Tanners Hatch Youth Hostel, then on to a hilltop with the first view of historic house Polesden Lacey across the valley. The house on the hillside boasts great views across the countryside and was home to many glamorous house parties in the early 1900's.

From the hilltop the path descends towards the house, passing under a wooden bridge and a more impressive thatched bridge (see photo). Leaving the house behind, the path heads back into woodland, passing along a yew-lined road and eventually emerging into the open Steers Field, a beautiful hillside with views down over Dorking, the surrounding countryside and even to the South Downs (on a clearer day than today).

Most of the remainder of the walk is on the easy-to-follow North Downs Way, passing the solid church of St Barnabas, Ranmore before entering the Denbies Wine Estate, the biggest vineyard in England, with vines covering the hillsides and a Visitor Centre and tearoom,

I would love to do this walk again in a few weeks' time when the bluebells are all out and it will be even more attractive, but I would recommend this walk at any time of year and look forward to walking it again, whatever the time of year.