Holmwood to Shamley Green walk

The Greensand Way : Leith Hill and Tower, Holmbury Hill, Pitch Hill and the Hurt Wood

History

This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.

Date Option Post # Weather
Sat, 11-Nov-23 Holmwood to Shamley Green - Autumn colours on the Greensand Ridge 32 sunny
Sat, 19-Nov-22 Autumn Color Along the Greensand Ridge (Holmwood to Shamley Green, Shalford or Guildford) 18 initially cloudy clearing to bright sunshine then dark
Sat, 20-Nov-21 Fading Autumn Color Along the Greensand Ridge (Holmwood to Shamley Green, Shalford or Guildford) 19 mild misty conditions
Sat, 26-Sep-20 Holmwood to Shamley Green - the Greensand Ridge, with woods and fine views 6
Sat, 10-Nov-18 Saturday walk - Holmwood to Shamley Green - Woods, more woods and some wonderful views 21 a bright morning but a wet afternoon
Sat, 11-Aug-18 Holmwood to Shamley Green 8 started sunny but became cloudy with some drizzle
Sat, 06-May-17 Holmwood to Shamley Green via the Greensand Way [Map-led Walk] 19 sunshine and cloud
18.7km (11.6 miles)
9.41 train from Victoria (9.48 Clapham Junction, 10.13 Sutton) to Holmwood, arriving 10.47 T=swc.287
The best ticket is a strange one - an “any permitted” (ie not just via Redhill) day return to Gomshall, which we will not be visiting today! The travel section of the home page for this walk explains the rationale, if you are interested. From boundary zone six with a railcard the cost is only about £3.80-odd. There are weird reasons for this which I would be happy to explain in a comment if anyone is interested. (Stop yawning at the back there!)
No walk directions: only GPX or a map, but after Leith Hill the walk follows the reasonably well waymarked Greensand Way
This walk climbs steeply up to the airy heights of Leith Hill (from where you can see both the City of London and the sea on clear days and where there is a National Trust tea kiosk) and then follows the Greensand Way to the outskirts of Shamley Green (though note that the last short section into Shamley Green is NOT on the Greensand Way).

There are lots of woods - so hopefully plenty of autumn colour - but also several fine viewpoints, including Pitch Hill in the afternoon.
Lunch is Holmbury St Mary, where the small-ish King’s Head, the nearest pub to the Greensand Way, has now reopened. The alternative, 500 metres “inland”, is the larger Royal Oak. There is now a direct GPX route from that back onto the GSW, so it only adds about 500 metres to the walk route.
The tea stop is the Red Lion pub at the end of the walk.
To get back from Shamley Green to Guildford, you need to catch the 53/63 bus, which departs from the opposite side of the road from the Red Lion pub at 12 and 42 past the hour till 18.12, then at 18.49, 19.19, 19.49, 20.22 and 21.22. Bus fares are capped at £2 at present.
Fast trains back from Guildford are at 19 and 49 past the hour today (ie a slightly reduced service)
  • 12-Nov-23

    I seem to recall that in some Pacific Island cultures they count one, two, three…many. I want to say “many” on this walk, but that might bust the algorithm. So I got to 30 on the platform and at least two appeared later, including one late starter I am told, so let’s say 32 . At least.

    (In parenthesis: nice to see so many on a walk again after a long period of small numbers. Come more regularly, guys…)

    Of course it helped that it was sunny . A glorious day in fact. Some cloud in the afternoon, but we will pretend we did not see that.

    We streaked up Leith Hill, leaving two mycologists (fungi hunters) behind (they did a circular walk). Gorgeous autumn colours, particularly on beech and sweet chestnut: this really is a fabulous autumn walk. Up on the airy heights, the Mount Everest of the south east, we gasped for breath in the rarified air and gulped tea from the kiosk. Then on down to Holmbury St Mary.

    Nine people had indicated at the start of the walk that they wanted lunch in the pub, so predictably 18 piled inside the King’s Head. We were about the only customers. Staff were friendly but food came slowly and some portion sizes were risible. “If I have the ravioli, will it just be four of them?” said one diner on our table. “No, of course not” said our server. There were in fact seven. On a plate with a silly little central bowl and a huge rim. To be fair my meat pie was a good size and very nice, but the consensus was that we will go to the Royal Oak in future. There were good reports from someone who went to the nearby cyclists cafe.

    Back at the pub we watched the clock anxiously, conscious of the approaching dark. Many of us left at 2.10pm, but not one table of six, the only ones to have booked, who did not have their food yet. I think they planned to walk to Gomshall.

    For the rest of us, a lovely afternoon, crossing Holmbury and Pitch Hills, with their gobsmacking views. On the descent from the latter the beech colour was particularly vibrant, but alas the light was fading now. A great clacking chorus of roosting pheasants serenaded us as we descended the last wooded slopes.

    The backmarker group I was in got to the Red Lion in Shamley Green at 5.10pm, having only been in anything like darkness for the last 20 minutes or so. We saw Jupiter rising. Those who had had scanty portions at lunch eyed the menu there wistfully, but in the end I was the only one to order (a pudding). Many got the 5.42 bus, but five of us got the 6.12.

    Our train from Guildford was packed with Charlton football fans returning from a 2:2 draw at Portsmouth. But, doubtless helped by a whole regiment of transport police, they were all well-behaved. One of them shared our bottle of wine.

  • 12-Nov-23

    The following report was posted by one of the diners whose food arrived late at the pub - and then mysteriously was not later on the website. So I am reposting it (unless its author would rather I did not, in which case I will remove it again...).

    What to do when you book upper table at the pub for 1.30 and your food doesn’t show until 2.30? No chance of making it to Shamley Green in the light so we re routed ourselves to Gomshall - after all we’d followed the instructions to buy ourselves tickets to Gomshall. We were not disappointed - fantastic views, lovely woods, beautiful skies, a steaming manure heap and more than few mushrooms. What more could you ask for? We made towards Abinger Church from Holmbury St Mary - fine fungi country - where we met another SWC route, then a diagonal across to the hollow road and over towards the main SWC route towards Gomshall. We arrived as it grew dark in Gomshall where we found two other walkers who’d started out an hour later and done the orthodox Holmwood to Gomshall walk. The replacement bus service had for reasons known only to itself not bothered to stop at the railway station so long story short 8 ended up on the bus to Dorking. Thankfully the station at Dorking does not disappoint. The normally small toy railway has been expanded to a two table Christmas extravaganza but having two engineers in our party was not sufficient to find the start button. Another time then. And plenty of tea and coffee available. So we left on the 1743 to Victoria decamping as we went along. An excellent walk and new possible routes found.

SWC 287: Holmwood to Shamley Green, Shalford or Guildford t=swc.287

Distance: 11.6 miles (18.7 km), 14.5ish (23ish km) or 17.4 miles (28 km), respectively

Difficulty: 8 out of 10

Train: Take the 9:41 AM Horsham-bound train from London Victoria arriving in Holmwood at 10:47. Unless walking on to Shalford or Guilford, the return journey requires a bus from Shamley Green to Guildford (bus number 53 or 63), each bus runs hourly and takes about 10 minutes, the 53 at 12 past the hour and the 63 at 42 past the hour with the bus stop located conveniently opposite the pub! For those walking on to Shalford, trains run hourly at 31 past the hour (additionally the 53 and 63 buses both stop near the station). Buy a “any permitted” day return to Gomshall.

This walk provides a great late autumn outing with some invigorating hills to climb….Hopefully, there will also be some good flashes of color from the beech trees along the route….This is a largely map-led outing with a GPX file available for guidance. If you decide to walk to Shalford, you will need to consult the map and deviate from the GPX…it is a short diversion….With the short days upon us, the walk into Guildford would likely be in the dark, though it may be possible to make it to Shalford before darkness falls. You can find more information about the walk and download the walk instructions here.

The recommended lunch stop is the Royal Oak in Holmbury St. Mary (about 5 miles/9 km into the walk). Tea or afternoon refreshments can be enjoyed at the Red Lion in Shamley Green while waiting for the bus or at the Queen Victoria in Shalford also while waiting for the bus or train.

Enjoy the walk!

  • 19-Nov-22

    One hour ahead to beat dark.

    Austen

  • 20-Nov-22

    16 emerged from a train laden with walkers -- most having fortunately alighting at Box Hill. We set for Leith Hill and admired the views -- the brighter south downs with Chantonbury Ring visible and a gloomier northern aspect -- but with the towers of the City and Canary Wharf still visible. We carried along the undulating escarpment enjoying more views and some wonderful tree color. Along the way, we picked up another who has driven to near the lunch pub...

    Most lunched at the Royal Oak with mixed results -- some food arrived quickly and was tasty; other orders took ages and were disappointing....The Kings Arms has reopened -- so it may be worth trying that in the future...Leaving the pub we emerged into bright sunshine and some even more spectacular views that we admired in the soft winter afternoon sun....in fact, we did so much admiring that most of the party finished the walk in the dark...then enjoyed a drink at the Red Lion while waiting for the bus to Guildford.

    So, with the earlier starter, 18 in initially cloudy clearing to bright sunshine then dark . A fine day out!

  • 22-Nov-22

    Great news that the Kings Arms has reopened - I had lost hope

SWC 287: Holmwood to Shamley Green, Shalford or Guildford t=swc.287

Distance: 11.6 miles (18.7 km), 14.5ish miles (23ish km) or 17.4 miles (28 km), respectively

Difficulty: 8 out of 10

Train: Take the 9:25 AM Horsham-bound train from London Victoria arriving in Holmwood at 10:29. Unless walking on to Shalford or Guilford, the return journey requires a bus from Shamley Green to Guildford (bus number 53 or 63), each bus runs hourly and takes about 10 minutes, the 53 at 22 past the hour and the 63 at 52 past the hour with the bus stop located conveniently opposite the pub! Plenty of trains in Guildford.....For those walking on to Shalford, trains run hourly at 31 past the hour (additionally the 53 and 63 buses both stop near the station). Buy a “any permitted” day return to Gomshall.

This walk provides a great late autumn outing with some invigorating hills to climb….Hopefully, there will also be some remaining flashes of color from the beech trees along the route….This is a largely map-led outing with a GPX file available for guidance. If you decide to walk to Shalford, you will need to consult the map and deviate from the GPX…it is a short diversion….With the short days upon us, the walk into Guildford would likely be in the dark, though it may be possible to make it to Shalford before darkness falls. You can find more information about the walk and download the walk instructions here.

The recommended lunch stop is the Royal Oak in Holmbury St. Mary (about 5 miles/9 km into the walk). Tea or afternoon refreshments can be enjoyed at the Red Lion in Shamley Green while waiting for the bus or at the Queen Victoria in Shalford also while waiting for the bus or train.

Enjoy the walk!

  • 21-Nov-21

    19 assembled on the Holmwood station platform, including one first timer in mild misty conditions . The group fragmented a bit on the way up Leith hill, some going the steep direct route, while others chose a less demanding contouring option. Most re-congregated at the summit to enjoy the views of the South Downs, some with a hot beverage in hand from the kiosk. Along the ridge were splashes of good autumn color, though the season is definitely drawing to a close. In Holmbury St. Mary, nine went to the Royal Oak pub (the King's Arms is still closed) and were later joined by two picnickers. Unfortunately I had to head back to London after lunch, but I understand the afternoon was uneventful with the beeches providing more pockets of color and some more faint views of the South Downs. The pub lunches arrived in Shamley Green about 5pm where some caught the 5.22 bus and others the 5.52....Not sure how many did an extended version, but know at least one was headed for Shalford when last seen.....

A "Suggest a Walk", suggested by Pauline... T=3.287
Length: 18.7km (11.6 miles)
Train Victoria: 9.25.
Clapham Junction: 9.32
Arrive Holmwood: 10.29

Bus Shamley Green to Guildford at something like 16.57, 17.12, 17.58, 18.37 and last bus 19.03. (Check times.)(My researches suggest 12, 32 and 52 past till 18.52, then 22 past - Ed)

Pub at end The Red Lion. Garden.

They used to be a café called the Speckledy Hen but it shuts at 4 pm if it survived.

Picnic lunch saves walking down road to pub and back again. The Royal Oak, although not a bad pub, and one that brews it’s own beer, it is slightly off the route.
  • Anonymous
    27-Sep-20

    A neat 6 on this strenuous walk with spectacular viewpoint after viewpoint. Lunch was a picnic at Holmbury Hill. The threatened rain didn't happen though the morning sunshine didnt last the whole day. 5 of us took the bus from Shamley Green at the end.

Length: 18.7km (11.6 miles) - or 19.6km (12.2 miles) including the diversion to the lunch pub
Toughnesss: 8 out of 10: several big climbs

9.16 train from Victoria (9.24 Clapham Junction, 10.09 Sutton) to Holmwood, arriving 10.44.

Alternatively get the 9.39 train from Waterloo to Epsom, arriving 10.12, to connect with the above train at 10.20.

Buy a day return to Gomshall, making sure it is an “Any Permitted” ticket. This is a bit counter-intuitive because you are not going to Gomshall, but this ticket is valid via Dorking, the stop before Holmwood, and for return from Guildford. It would be a hard-hearted “on-board train manager” who also denied its validity from Dorking to Holmwood, but one such may exist.

For the first of my two autumn leaf colour blockbusters (cross fingers that the autumn colour cooperates....), I have selected this very woody section of the Greensand Way. Whatever autumn colour there is should be well displayed. Now and again the route also brings you to magnificent viewpoints, such as Leith Hill, the highest height in southern England, Holmbury Hill and Pitch Hill

This is a “map-led” walk for the most part - ie no written directions. But please don’t let this put you off. Firstly, for the first three miles there ARE directions if you need them since the route follows the book 1 route from Holmwood to Leith Hill (link here, but note we will be doing the alternative start on page 7 of the directions). After that you are on the Greensand Way, which is fairly well waymarked and largely does what you expect it to do - ie it follows the escarpment. GPX-ers can download the entire route here or you can print off a map of the route here. More details of the walk are here.

The first refreshment stop on this walk is the National Trust tea kiosk in the side of Leith Hill Tower, 2.9 miles into the walk. Two miles further on a short diversion off the walk route brings you to the Royal Oak, Holmbury St Mary, which has several vegetarian and at at least one vegan option on its menu. The other pub option on this walk, the Kings Head, is currently closed.

The walk ends in Shamley Green, where the Red Lion is well-situated next to the bus stop. Number 53 and 63 buses to Guildford go from the opposite side of the road to the pub at 12, 32 and 52 past the hour until 18.52 and then at 19.22, 20.22, 21.22 and 22.22, taking 20 minutes.

RMT strike action for this Saturday has been cancelled, so trains back from Guildford to Waterloo should be every 15 minutes, taking 36-38 minutes. T=3.287
  • Anonymous
    01-Nov-18

    Brilliant walk. Easy to follow route, as the Greensand Way is very well marked. Lunch: the Royal Oak, is the only option as The Kings Head is closed.

  • 10-Nov-18

    21 on this walk. They were rewarded with the most perfect autumn colours you ever saw - an absolute riot of gold that at times achieved New England levels of intensity. Beech trees were the main cause of this but every type of tree was fully turned. The best autumn walk ever!

    Or it was in the morning when the weather was fine: cloud and some sun; showers visible to the south from the airline-high eminence of Leith Hill but not coming near us. Several of us enjoyed a cup of tea at the National Trust kiosk there, which is now open daily year round.

    Descending to Holmbury, mountain bikers were a minor nuisance - they could be a worse one in summer. We found the Royal Oak empty, so perhaps booking a table was not necessary, but it did fill up later. Credit to them for several vegetarian and one vegan option, and for friendly and efficient service.

    One walker left in a taxi after lunch for - how can I say the words? - the AGM of ANOTHER walking club. Two other walkers, seeing drops of rain fall from a now grey sky, left with her. “Softies!” we thought, but they were right. It started showery but then rained relentlessly. So a bright morning but a wet afternoon .

    That was a shame as the leaf colour was if anything even better in the afternoon. There were also several dramatic views south across the tempestuous landscape. I hear some of the group got to the end of the walk at 4.30, others a bit later. But my two companions and I, the backmarkers, did not arrive till 5.30. It was a memorable last hour and a half in the gathering darkness and heavy rain, the ground underfoot turning to lakes and rivers. My waterproofs may not dry before next Saturday. But at least, on the first muddy day if the winter, our boots ended the day perfectly clean.

Sat, 11-Aug-18 : Holmwood to Shamley Green 8
Dirk
Dirk
t=SWC.287

Length: 19km / 12m
Toughness: 8 / 10
Transport: Take the 9:25 from London Victoria arriving in Holmwood at 10:29. The return trip requires a bus journey from Shamley Green to Guildford. The bus times are:
63: xx:52 until 18:52
53: xx:12 & xx:32 until 18:32, then xx:22 until 22:22
There are many return trains from Guildford to London, some fast, some slow.
The walk author recommends to buy a day-return to Gomshall (see notes)
If you feel energetic you can also walk to Guildford using a map: Basically make your way westwards until just after Cranleigh Waters, then turn north until you hit the path along the River Wey Navigation which you follow into Guildford. This adds an estimated 8km to the walk.

Note: This walk is defined only by a gpx file. There are no walk instructions !
This is a pleasant woodland walk following mainly the Greensand Way passing several wonderful viewpoints.

  • 07-Aug-18

    Actually the walk author recommends you buy a day return to GOMSHALL, not Guildford. I doubt a day return to Guildford would be accepted via Dorking.

  • 07-Aug-18

    Apologies, Peter, I corrected the post.

  • Salim
    08-Aug-18

    Is the Saturday walk really 8/10 toughness?

    Will there be an early break-out point?

  • Anonymous
    09-Aug-18

    Hope to do this walk again did it last year led by aKa Walwith ker. Great wooded walks in the Greensand Way hills to climb and you will definitely enjoyed it. If I can get away from the workmen who is renovating my house I shall attend. Wish me luck.

    Monica

  • Anonymous
    09-Aug-18

    Sorry I meant to say the walk last year was led by AKa Walker.

    Monica

  • Anonymous
    10-Aug-18

    Hi Guys I shall be attending this walk a respite from the workmen. Hope to see some of you at Victoria station. Weather good and not too hot.

    Monica

  • 13-Aug-18

    I believe there were five on the recommended train, another an hour later and two who started at Gomshall to make 8 on this walk. All managed to meet up at the Royal Oak at lunch time - the King's Head is currently closed for renovations. The day started sunny but became cloudy with some drizzle . Most caught the 17:32 bus to Guildford. Two stopped for a drink at the red Lion, one of whom then caught the 18:12 bus while the other walked on to Guildford.

There is no walk name or number: this is an experimental map-led walk: see below t=swc.287
Length: 18.2km (11.3 miles)
Toughness: expect several big ascents and descents

Interminable engineering works on the Guildford line have finally been completed, allowing me to try this idea, which has been festering in the dark recesses of my brain for some time.

The idea is to use the book 1 Holmwood to Gomshall directions to the top of Leith Hill (though with a slightly shorter start which I will explain on the day) and then follow the Greensand Way west - NEW territory for the SWC. There are no walk directions for this last two thirds of the walk: it is hopefully waymarked, but bring maps or map apps if you have them.

Basic GPX or KML

Note that this is a map-led walk NOT a led walk: ie like all our walks it has no leader. You are ultimately responsible for finding your own way, though past experience suggests that there will be some "cooperative navigation" .

There may be bluebells en route - it is likely territory for them - but I have never done the walk so don't know. There looks to be quite lot of woodland which will be full of fresh green foliage (another reason to do this walk now). Some good escarpment views - eg from Leith Hill and from Holmbury Hill (the latter just after lunch).
TRAVEL DETAILS:

9.24 train from Waterloo (9.33 Clapham Junction) to Epsom, arriving 9.57, changing there for the 10.09 train to Holmwood, arriving 10.32. This two stage journey from Waterloo is necessary due to last minute engineering works in the Sutton area but does not add significantly to journey times.

Note: There will be a 30-strong Meet-Up Group - sigh! - making the same journey. They will also get off at Holmwood. Make sure you don't join with the wrong group. They are also going up Leith Hill but after that are going a different way. If it turns out they are going the same way up Leith Hill as us, we will go up another way - there are various options.

Buy an ANY PERMITTED day return to Gomshall ** - important! NOT via Redhill only (though at Waterloo "any permitted" is what the ticket machines will likely offer you). In theory you also will need a single from Dorking to Holmwood... ** OR an any permitted day return to Shalford. Our resident train guru says this is cheaper than a return to Gomshall and still valid via Dorking and Guildford: your choice

MEALS

Lunch: will be in Holmbury St Mary, 2 miles after Leigh Hill = 5 miles into the walk. The most convenient pub seems to be the King's Head (01306 730282), which looks to be almost on the GSW route and has a large garden: I have rung them and made a booking for 10 people for 1pm, though they say Saturday lunchtimes are "usually not a problem": we can still sit in the garden if it is sunny. An alternative up the road 450 metres to the north is the Royal Oak (01306 898010).

Mid afternoon drinks (3 miles after lunch) may be possible at the Ewhurst Windmill, described as "more of a restaurant than a pub", but apparently willing to serve drinks in the afternoon and having a deck with a fine view.

The walk ends in the pretty village of Shamley Green where there is a lovely pub on the village green - the Red Lion. It is open all afternoon for drinks: if you want to have dinner there, it serves food from 6.30pm.

GETTING BACK

53/63 buses to Guildford go from the other side of the road to the Red Lion at 12, 32 and 52 past the hour until 18.52, then 19.22, 20.22, 21.22, 22.22, 23.30, taking 20 minutes.

Trains back from Guildford to Waterloo go every 15 minutes or so (eg 02, 17, 34. 47 and 54) and are covered by the Gomshall/Shalford return. These are the fast trains: don't get the slow train via Clandon by mistake



  • 03-May-17

    Sounds like a very interesting route.

    - You can also get a bus earlier from the Duke of York's School

    - These 2 Greensand Way walks follow the middle and end parts of it if you need the GPS.

    https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/walk/gomshall-to-dorking/map.html and https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/walk/witley-to-ewhurst/map.html

  • Anonymous
    03-May-17

    Is there a basic GPX track for the whole route? Could you post a link to it?

  • 03-May-17

    If you read the walk post (!!) , I said:

    I have also created a basic GPX track: email saturdaywalkersATyahooDOTcoDOTuk and I will send it to you.

  • Sandy
    03-May-17

    This route piqued my interest too but I won't be able to do the whole walk. I may investigate getting the train to Gomshall or bus from Dorking and joining you at lunchtime. I'm pretty familiar with the area but am not promising to navigate successfully. i don't think the Greensand Way markers are 100% reliable so definitely take a map, digital or other.

  • E.D.
    05-May-17

    Could I suggest a slight detour after Leith Hill Tower to Leith Hill Wood? It is a rhododendron wood, managed by the National Trust, open to all, and must be looking lovely at this time of year. It can be reached by a footpath down from the Greensand Way not long after Leith Tower, or by the lane that the Greensand crosses a little further on. Here is a link https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/leith-hill/features/the-rhododendron-wood-at-leith-hill. It is marked with a flower on recent ordnance survey maps.

  • Anonymous
    05-May-17

    Hi, Re obtaining the GPS file is the email address correct? It bounced back as no such account. I replaced with the two periods as appropriate

  • 05-May-17

    The email address is correct. As well as replacing the DOTs you also need to replace AT with @, of course.

  • Anonymous
    05-May-17

    Thanks found my error I left the A of the original AT in place.

    Thanks

    Kevin

  • 06-May-17

    19 on this walk on a day of sunshine and cloud , though a rather hazy one. This became apparent when we got to the top of Leith Hill and found the views a bit limited. But it was nice to sit in the sun with a cuppa from the kiosk and sense the vastness of England in the semi-murk below.

    Carrying on westwards, we found the Greensand Way very wooded and very well waymarked - little navigation, collaborative or otherwise, was needed. The woods were a bit dull at times on the descent to Holmbury, but in the afternoon were enlivened by new green foliage on beech and sweet chestnut. There were also several fine viewpoints - most notably Holmbury Hill and Pitch Hill, which were separated by a big descent and ascent and the crossing of a lovely green valley.

    For lunch the Kings Head proved fairly small and basic with limited choice on its menu (especially for vegans). Having been relaxed in the week when I phoned and booked for ten, they got rather panicked when 14 of us stopped for lunch, but they managed reasonably well. Portion sizes were good.

    Mid afternoon we got all excited at the prospect of a drink with a view at the Ewhurst Windmill pub, but it was closed, so instead we had to keep our thirst in check on the three mile descent (passing an interesting curved wooden shelter) to more open terrrain of the valley. Here we had tea and drinks at outside tables on the village green, just a short dash across the road from the very frequent buses. The first swifts I have seen this year screeched overhead.

  • E.D.
    08-May-17

    Not wanting this lovely walk to end, I extended it by leaving the Greensand Way after the "flattened pine cone" viewpoint at Winterfold Hill, and headed up to Chilworth station via Black Heath.

    It was risky as trains are only once every two hours, but the going is much flatter than on the Greensand and despite losing my bearings on Black Heath I managed to make the 17.59 train.

    This extension provides more beautiful woodland and heath but with a different feel from the Greensand, more quiet and remote. There were bluebells and at one point some naturalised yellow azaleas.

    Early in the walk a couple of us also took a detour to the National Trust Rhododendron Wood at Leith Hill. There is a path running south from the Greensand alongside a lane, and took only a few minutes to get there. The pinks, reds and yellows of the rhododendrons were underlaid with bluebells, so the colour combinations were pretty.