A woodland walk through the Surrey Hills to the grand Leith Hill Place and the famous Leith Hill.

Statistics

0 - 1

hrs

141

m

141

m

8

max°

Difficulty

FATMAP difficulty grade

Easy

Description

This beautiful woodland walk takes you to Leith Hill Tower – the highest point in southeast England – with magnificent 360-degree views stretching across Surrey’s rolling hills to London's skyline in the distance.

Leith Hill is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is teeming with wildlife and under the care of the National Trust.

Come in spring or autumn to experience the woodland’s vibrant colours.

*Directions:* Leith Hill is near Coldharbour village in Surrey.

The walk starts from the free Windy Gap car parks at Leith Hill on Abinger Road.

You can park in either carpark, and north or south of the road.

If you are taking the train from London, the closest train station is Holmwood, about 2 miles away.

From the carpark, take the path by the pink topped trail marker for Frank’s Wood, which will lead you through the first patch of conifer woods and up some steps.

You will land at a path junction, take the second left through Lime Avenue, which belongs to the grand Leith Hill Place country house dating back to 1600.

On the right, you will pass the estate’s walled garden, before turning left onto a road which you shortly follow before crossing over a stile into farmland on the right.

Follow straight ahead in front of Leith Hill Place on your right, and take in the stunning views across the parkland and southwards over the Weald onto the ridge of the South Downs.

Pass through the kissing gate and cross the second field to the gate just below the pond.

Once through the gate, you will pass through dense woodland.

Bear right and follow the straight track ahead of you, which heads uphill.

Turn right again, following the signs which lead you through the beautiful rhododendron wood and up through the car park to the road.

From the carpark turn right and then left, before crossing over the road.

On the other side, follow the path alongside the sandstone wall, all the way up through the woodland to the Leith Hill Tower.

The tower was built in 1765 by Richard Hull of Leith Hill Place.

Standing 965ft above sea level, it's the highest point in the southeast.

Gaze across to London (north) and the English Channel (south).

You need to pay an entrance fee to climb the tower, but it’s well worth it for the panoramic views and feeling of being on top of the world! When you’re ready to leave, head down from the tower, turning left with your back to the noticeboard, and follow the rail around the top of the steep steps.

Descend the steps all the way to the Windy Gap car park.

Sources: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/england/surrey/leith-hill-place-and-tower?referrer=ifootpath https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/leith-hill/trails/leith-hill-woodland-walk