It’s now easier than ever to reach the scenic Surrey spot
The Surrey Hills with its rolling natural landscapes couldn’t feel further from London. The 422 square-kilometre area is full of wildflower meadows, forests and panoramic viewpoints – with an array of quaint villages nestled between them.
This sense of escape, coupled with how close the area is to the capital means many Londoners opt to travel there for a weekend. From December 14, this will get even easier as you will be able to travel to a variety of Surrey railway stations using contactless payment.
Box Hill & Westhumble is one of these such places, and is famed for having one of the South East’s best walks just 10 minutes from the station. This 4.7 mile circular walk takes you through woodland and up to multiple viewpoints, but the highlight is the famous stepping stones which take you across the River Mole – just be careful not to fall in!
Route
The most popular circuit starts from the National Trust car park on Old London Road. It’s graded as moderate due to a couple of steep climbs during the hike. On average, it takes a little over two hours to complete.
As previously mentioned the stepping stones are a key feature, but you’ll also get to enjoy
- Salomons Memorial Viewpoint – offering panoramic views across the Weald, the Betchworth Clump
- Woodland paths and open meadows – with seasonal wildflowers and the chance to spot grazing cattle.
The National Trust has waymarked trails along the route while there are also options for a shorter or longer hike. There are two cafes on site along with picnic spots and public toilets.
You can also opt for a meal and pint at the King William IV pub in Mickleham – situated just off trail.
How to Get There from London
Trains from London make Box Hill very straightforward to reach:
- From London Waterloo or London Victoria , trains to Box Hill & Westhumble station take just under an hour (direct services via Epsom or Dorking)
- From the station, it’s a 10-minute walk to the Old London Road car park, which many consider the start of the trail
- For drivers, there is a National Trust pay-and-display car park, but spaces can fill up on sunny weekends. IT’s about an hour and a half to drive.
Why can you now get there with contactless?
From December 14 rail passengers will be able to use contactless payment to travel to 50 stations outside London. This will include Stansted Airport as the main addition but it will also mean passengers can tap in and out (using their bank card, Oyster card or mobile pay) at Southend Airport, Luton and East Grinstead.
The government said this is part of plans to make rail travel more convenient. Take a look at the full list here.
Looking for more from MyLondon? Subscribe to our daily newsletters here for the latest and greatest updates from across London.
