Greensand Way 3 : Gomshall to Dorking walk
Greensand Way Stage 3 : The Surrey Hills : Holmbury Hill and Leith Hill
Status | Draft - under construction! |
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Length | 14.9 miles / 21.4 km ( 11.5 miles / 18.5 km if you catch the bus to Ewhurst) |
Toughness | 5 out of 10 (16000 ft / 500 m of ascent). A long gentle climb, then undulating, then gently downhill after Leith Hill. (4/10 if starting from Ewhurst, and you miss the long climb)) |
Walk Notes |
This is the third stage of the Greensand Way - and a highlight of the walk. It traverses Holmbury Hill and then Leith Hill - the highest in the southeast at just under 1,000 feet. Both have good views to the south. Then its through woodland to Dorking. This walk starts in Gomshall, and head south for 4km on a long gentle ascent to join the GW on the crest of the greensand ridge. There are rare buses from Guildford via Gomshall to this point. Then its along the GW, over Holmbury Hill at 261m, to the Kings Head in Pitland Street, for lunch. There is another pub 500m north in Holmbury St Mary. After lunch, it on to the summit of Leith Hill. At 294m, it is a Marilyn. Its summit is a nice open area, though the views are partially blocked by trees. There is an NT tower (a folly), the viewing gallery of which is over 1,000 feet. It has a small kiosk selling tea and biscuits. This is the recommended spot for a picnic lunch Then its a woodland trail north. The last few km are through surburban Dorking, and along its High Street |
Walk Options |
Starting at the Duke of Kent School (just north of Ewhurst) The main walk starts in Gomshall, 4km north of the GW. On Mon-Sat only, you can catch a #23 bus from Gomshall south towards Ewhurst (the bus starts in Guildford Friary bus station). Get off at the "Duke of Kent" school (marked on OS maps), where the GW crosses the road at the crest of the hill. This leaves about 100m (ascent) to the ridge. It saves 4km walking, and about 200m of ascent. |
Travel |
Suggested Train: whichever connects to the bus |
Lunch |
The Kings Head, Holmbury. 01306 730282. Under new management. 7km from the start NT kiosk at Leith Hill, or take a picnic |
Tea |
Many places in Dorking high street, or the Lincoln Arms Hotel pub by Dorking station |
Greensand Way |
This walk is one of 11 stages of the Greensand Way - a regional long distance path in the Southeast of England |
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Links |
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Ewhurst |
Updated Mar-19. Bus times change frequently - you must check using Traveline Southeast Duke of Kent School (on the Greensand Way)#25, 2 hourly, Mon-Fri only, to Gomshall (station) and Guildford. Check time of the last bus! The Greensand Way crosses a minor road about 1km north of the small village of Ewhurst. The bus stop is by the Duke of Kent School (marked on OS maps). The bus goes north to Gomshall (2 hourly trains, pub nearby) and Guildford (frequent trains). This bus starts in Ewhurst (stop is opposite the Bulls Head pub). If you choose this option, it better to start the walk here. Ewhurst Village#23 as above. #53, hourly, daily, via Cranleigh, last bus about 6pm - check! Ewhurst village is 2km steeply downhill from the Greensand Way. It has better bus connections, and a pub (The Bulls Head), but it's closed mid afternoon. The #53 bus stops outside the pub, and goes to Cranleigh, Shalford (2 hourly trains), and Guildford (very frequent trains) As a last resort, Cranleigh (3km walk from Ewhurst) has regular buses, even in the evenings, and Gomshall (station) is 5km walk north of the Greensand Way. The Bulls Head, 01483 277447, closes 3pm to 6pm except Sunday |
Profile | |
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By Train |
Out (not a train station) Back (not a train station) |
By Car |
Start GU5 9NX Map Directions Return to the start: Finish RH4 1TF Map Directions Travel to the start: |
Map Walk | This walk requires an OS map and a compass or GPS for navigation. You can print out OS maps using the link above. |
Amazon | |
Help |
National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Travelline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234 |
Version |
Feb-17 Andrew |
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