Tadworth via Headley Heath and Box Hill Circular Walk

This walk over the National Trust's picturesque Headley Heath ("open heathland, woodland, and chalk downland") to Box Hill (also NT, noted viewpoint) feels very remote even though it starts within London Zone 6. The main walk returns via Headley Heath, the more strenuous longer option follows the North Downs Way, with views to the south. Drivers can park on the Heath, cutting out the walks to and from the station

The walk starts at Tadworth (Zone 6), just south of Epsom Downs, and crosses open downland (and under the M25) to Headley (early lunch pub).

At the start of Headley Heath, there are a couple of NT car parks. The main part of the walk crosses the open heathland - with a mix of partly forested hills allowing nice views for most of the way. There is an option to visit White Hill (recommended, a steep climb) with unexpectedly fine views (also visited on the Box Hill Circular Walk). Both routes join to head south onto Juniper Top (more views), before following a forest track to the Box Hill viewpoint (NT cafe, car park), a perfect (if often crowded) picnic spot. Then it's a gentle stretch along the North Downs Way (NDW) along the edge of the escarpment, followed by either short stretch along a road (or strenuous stretch of the NDW) to the late lunch pub.

After lunch you have a choice. The main walk returns across pretty Headley Heath along gentle forested paths, or there is a longer and much more strenuous NDW escarpment option with a gentle Walton Heath ending.

Both routes join up with a choice of 2 pubs for tea about 20 mins walk before the station

A compass (or GPS) is recommended on this walk - it's easy to loose your sense of direction on the heathland.

• Short cut to the lunch pub : misses out Box Hill and much ascent, but adds more of the heath.
• Via White Hill : Adds 80m/250 feet of ascent, 1.0 km/0.7 mi. Climb up towards Stane Street (a Roman road) with far reaching views. Cuts out a (quiet) lane along the valley bottom. Recommended!
• Via NDW (rather than Box Hill Road): You can follow the North Downs Way, rather than the road, between Box Hill and the lunch pub - adds one steep ascent!
• Follow the NDW afternoon : Add 150m/450feet of ascent, 2.7 km/1.7 mi. This longer and more strenuous option follows the North Downs way along, down and back up the edge of the North Downs escarpment (there are no rights of way along the top of the hill), before re-crossing the M25 and heading back over gentle Corporation of London land to the 'tea' pubs. Very remote apart from a small section of road. Look out for a permitted path which starts at the point the pavement ends!
• Drivers: Park in Headley village - KT18 6PD (on route) or KT18 6LP (a side street near the Cock Inn), on Headley Heath (NT car park, KT18 6NN), or one of the other NT car parks, and do a circular walk from there, missing out the 2 legs to/from Tadworth station

Tadworth is in London Travelcard Zone 6. 2 trains an hour (46 mins) from London Bridge or from Victoria changing at East Croydon.

Headley Heath car park x 2 (NT) - KT18 6NN - £5 per day (free for NT members) - no cash - online or phone only. The small car parks on Mill Lane and Headley Lane are still free.

There is a TFL bus stop in Mickleham (off route, near White Hill) on a Kingston - Surbiton - Chessington - Dorking route which takes Oyster/Contactless

• Headley Heath - National Trust Not much online. There is a very active friends of the Heath group (with a not so active website)
• Box Hill (wikipedia)

The aim of this walk is to visit the very picturesque Headley Heath, and start from a station within Zone 6! While White Hill, Juniper Top and Box Hill are worthy destinations, simply exploring Headley Heath is also recommended. Do take a compass - its easy to loose your orientation as there are many paths and few landmarks.

Its a shame that Box Hill and Headley Heath (both NT) are separated by High Ashurst - a fenced off Outdoor Centre owned by Surrey Council - this limited route options in designing this walk.

• The Cock Inn, Headley, 01372 377258. Open all day. Large pub with nice terrace. Mains from £10. This is the early lunch pub after 3.3 km.
• National Trust Box Hill. Two cafés, one take away, one sit down indoors, both busy, mostly coffee and cake. Mid-way round the main walk
• The Tree on Box Hill, 01737 845966 (was The Box) Large 'modern' pub with an emphasis on food, very pleasant large beer garden, open all day. This is the late lunch pub after 12.8 km.
• Kiosk in Headley Heath's Car Park (tea, chips etc.). This is a perfectly placed refreshment option, coming after 14.9 km. Open 9.00-17.00 daily, in all but the worst weathers.
• The Chequers. A Young’s pub, open all day with food all day, about 2.0 km before the station.
• The Blue Ball. Large food pub on a village green, about 1.3 km before the station.
• The Bell. Old fashioned small pub 800m before the station. Open from 17.30 weekdays, all day weekends.
• Right by Tadworth Station: A Fish & Chips, a Grill & Meze Bar and a Coffee House.

Covid: checked Mar-22

After the walk, please leave a comment, it really helps. Thanks!

You can also upload photos to the SWC Group on Flickr (upload your photos) and videos to Youtube. This walk's tags are:

National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Mar-21 Andrew