Parks...

Mole Valley Parks and Countryside

Abinger Roughs: A wooded ridge four miles west of Dorking owned by the National Trust offering splendid views of the Downs. Car parking available for which a small donation is requested.
Ashtead Common: An extensive area of woodland with ancient trees and a wide variety of wildlife including Roe Deer. Ashtead Station is on the southern edge of the Common. Car parking is available in Epsom Common Stew Ponds car park of the B280, Epsom to Oxshott Road. For a leaflet (produced by the Corporation of London) telephone 01372 279083.

Bookham and Banks Common: This large area has meadows, wetlands and a central wood mostly of oak. The clay soil provides conditions particularly valuable to plant and animal life. Three car parks are provided: off Cobham Road, near Bookham station and at the end of Bookham Road. For further information contact the warden on 01372 452809.

Boxhill / Mickleham Downs: One of the most popular and well known beauty spots north east of Dorking overlooking the River Mole 120 metres below. The area, designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest is owned by the National Trust which provides car parking, an information centre, a shop, lavatories and a servery. Box Hill and Westhumble railway station is within easy reach. For more information on Box Hill click on the National Trust website below.

Brockham Lime Works: Owned by Surrey County Council the area was last used for the extraction of chalk in 1936. Now overgrown by scrub it is a haven for wildlife. The Friends of Brockham Lime Works have recently been established to help fund raise to conserve the remaining kilns and collect information on the site. Contact the Countryside Service for further information telephone 01483 517595.

Deepdene Terrace and Glory Wood: Easily reached from Dorking town, footpaths connect these two areas of woodland on either side of the A24. Seats are provided to enjoy the fine views to the South East. Deepdene is registered as a garden of special historic interest. For a leaflet telephone 01306 879199.

Edolph's Copse: A wonderful Wealden wood owned by the Woodland Trust containing a variety of vegetation. Car parking near the wood is limited but there is a footpath from Charlwood village less than a mile away. The wood has a waymarked circular walk. For further information telephone 01476 581111.

Glovers Wood: This woodland area which lies on the western edge of Charlwood, contains an exceptional variety of flora. Owned and managed by the Woodland Trust, a leaflet containing information on footpaths is available telephone 01476 581111.

Hackhurst Downs / White Downs: An area of downland, west of Dorking where chalk grassland and scrub provide a good mix of different habitats for wildlife. The largest area is the privately owned Wotton Estate, part of which is accessible to the public and provides pleasant surroundings for picnics with wonderful views over the Weald and to the south. There is a National Trust car park at the eastern end of the White Downs, south of Ranmore Common and a Wotton Estate/SCC car park is located on the west side of White Downs Lane.

Hammonds Copse: A Woodland Trust property, rich in ground flora, to the north east of Newdigate village. A public footpath and a bridleway through the site link up with other rights of way to Beare Green and Holmwood Common. For further information telephone 01476 581111.

Holmwood Common: Mixed woodland owned by the National Trust south of Dorking. Fourwents pond provides an ideal spot to relax and picnic and there is disabled access from the Mill Road car park. There are many footpaths and bridleways several of which lead towards a viewpoint at the centre of the Common. Five car parks are located around the edge of the Common. For information telephone the warden on 01306 741711.

Milton Field, Milton Heath and the Nower: Heath and woodland between Dorking and Westcott. The Nower provides magnificent views to the south and over the town of Dorking. A car park is provided on Milton Heath, approached from the A25 west of Dorking but the site is easily reached by foot. Milton Field contains a picnic area and a small car park, for a leaflet telephone 01306 879199.

Norbury Park: A large County Council owned rural estate west of the A24 between Dorking and Leatherhead. The estate offers quiet walking and a family cycle route through woodland and farmland. Westhumble station is nearby and car parking is available at Burford Bridge off the A24 and off the A246. For more information contact the Park Ranger on 01372 386881.

Nower Wood: Owned by the Surrey Wildlife Trust this mixed woodland is situated just off the B2033 Leatherhead to Headley road. A number of paths run through the wood and a series of nature trail leaflets are available from the Trust. Open days are held on the third Sunday of every month April – October and families with children are particularly welcome. (Dogs are not allowed in the reserve.) As the wood is heavily used for teaching purposes it is best to ring the education centre before visiting 01372 379509.

Pasture Wood: Forestry Commission woodland on the eastern fringe of Holmbury St. Mary village. Access through the wood is via public rights of way. A car park is available near the High Ashes Farm on the edge of Wotton Common.

Polsden Lacey Estate, Ranmore Common, Denbies: This is National Trust land on the southern edges of the Polsden Lacey Estate and designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Ranmore Common is part owned by the Forestry Commission and provides an excellent habitat for many birds and mammals. Denbies Hillside has two car parks along Ranmore Common Road. The easterly car park is close to St. Barnabus Church, known as the Church of the North Downs, and the open hillside to the south provides a good picnic site and one of the most stunning views of the District.

Redlands Wood, Bury Hill Wood: Two areas of Forestry Commission woodland lying either side of Coldharbour Lane which runs south from Dorking to Coldharbour village. Public access is confined to public footpaths and bridleways, but these link up with rights of way to North, Mid and South Holmwood.

Vann Lake Nature Reserve: Owned by the Surrey Wildlife Trust the beautiful Vann Lake is surrounded by ancient woodland. The lake was created in the eighteenth century to provide power for a linen mill, which was never completed. The reserve is sited of the B2126 between Ockley and Capel. Visitors are welcome. For a leaflet please contact the Surrey Wildlife Trust headquarters telephone 01483 488055.

Wallis Wood Nature Reserve: A short walk from Wallis Wood village, the reserve provides an excellent habitat for woodland birds and insects. Parking can be arranged with prior notice to the Surrey Wildlife Trust and a leaflet is also obtainable from them telephone 01483 488055.

Wotton Common, Abinger Common and Leith Hill: An extensive area of woodland south west of Dorking between Friday Street and Leith Hill forming part of the privately owned Wotton Estate. There are three car parks: two near Friday Street and one on the western edge of Wotton Common from which there are delightful walks through mixed woodland to Leith Hill Tower. The Tower is owned by the National Trust and can be visited every weekend throughout the year and Wednesday afternoons in the summer when a small refreshment kiosk is also open – for details contact the warden on 01306 711777. The view from this vantage point is one of the best in Mole Valley. Information leaflets are available from the tower. The Surrey County Council ranger can be contacted for more details telephone 01306 730579.

Tourist Information - Mole Valley Visitor Information Centre