Redhill Circular walk

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Walk Map

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Walk Options

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13. Main Walk, via Bletchingley (20 km)

9. Main Walk, starting from Merstham (18½ km)
1. Shorter Walk, via Nutfield (16 km)
35. Shorter Walk, starting from Merstham (14½ km)

Walk Directions

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If you are doing the alternative start (from Merstham), start at §C.

1. Redhill Station to Holmethorpe Lagoons (2 km)
• Leave the station through the side exit at the front of Platform 3 and go down steps to the A25. Go uphill briefly on the main road and turn left onto Cavendish Road. Cross the Brighton main line and join Cycle Route 21, heading north-east. In 750m fork left onto a footpath going between two lakes in The Moors Nature Reserve and continuing alongside the railway. At the Waterside development take the footpath between the two Holmethorpe Lagoons.
1. The most convenient way of starting the walk is to leave through the side exit near the front of Platform 3 (where most trains from London arrive), not via the subway leading to the main exit on the other side of the station. From this side exit go down steps to the A25, cross the main road at the traffic lights and turn right.
   • If instead you do leave the station from the main exit, turn sharp left to go back under the railway on the A25. Follow the main road round to the right at the traffic lights, crossing over Noke Drive.
2. From the traffic lights go uphill on the A25 for just 30m, then veer left up a flight of steps. At the top turn left onto Cavendish Road, with the Home Cottage pub opposite. In 250m, where the road curves round to the left, veer right onto a bridge across the Brighton main line. Turn left at the footpath T-junction onto Cycle Route 21 (CR 21), going gently downhill.
3. The simplest route is to stay on this tree-lined cycleway for 750m, although you could fork left onto a side path with a yellow waymarker (the original right of way) which meanders through the trees and later rejoins the cycleway. Eventually you come to a signposted three-way path junction and fork left onto an all-weather path through The Moors Nature Reserve?.

   At the time of writing this path was shown as a diversionary route for CR 21 since the published route (along the right-hand path) is prone to flooding.

4. The path swings round to the right, crosses Redhill Brook on a wide wooden footbridge and continues between two lakes, with an information panel about this restored wetland site in front of the lake on the right. The path then bends right again to run parallel to the railway embankment. In 300m the path enters a more wooded area and in a further 100m comes to a major path junction.
5. The path ahead leads to the lagoons but for a slightly more scenic route turn sharp right up a flight of steps, with a permissive footpath marker. At the top veer left onto a broad grassy path, with a view of the Watercolour development off to the left and (less appealingly) the large landfill site in the other direction. Follow the path down a slope and keep right at a path junction at the bottom.
6. Go through a wooden kissing gate onto a path through Holmethorpe Lagoons Nature Reserve?, passing an information panel about it. A little further along there is a panel about wetland birds at a viewpoint where the path crosses a channel linking the two lagoons.
2. Holmethorpe Lagoons to Spynes Mere (1¾ km)
• After passing the lagoons cross Nutfield Road and take the path along the northern side of Mercers Lake. At the far end fork left onto a path which merges with a bridleway. Follow it round to the left to reach a viewpoint overlooking Spynes Mere Nature Reserve.
1. At the far end of the lagoons go through a gate by an information panel about the various nature reserves which make up the whole Nutfield Marsh project. The public footpath continues through the belt of trees on the right, but it is simpler to keep ahead along the right-hand side of a patch of grassland. Go out to a mini-roundabout where Holmethorpe Avenue meets Nutfield Road, with a “Mercers Marina” sign on a wooden fieldgate on the far side.
2. Cross Nutfield Road carefully and go through this ‘back door’ into Mercers Country Park?. After crossing Redhill Brook again on a concrete bridge turn left onto the perimeter path around the northern side of Mercers Lake. From this potentially muddy woodland path there are occasional glimpses through the trees of the sailing and other water sports which might be taking place.
3. At the north-eastern corner of the lake fork left off the perimeter path to continue along the left-hand side of a field. In the next corner go through a metal kissing gate onto a fenced path, which curves round to the right. In 250m another kissing gate brings you onto a public bridleway: a broad path between hedges ahead and across a field to the right.
   • The walk now continues to another lake, makes a circuit around it and returns to this point. For a short cut (saving over 1½ km) you could turn sharp right onto the bridleway and resume the directions at [?] in §D.
4. For the full walk keep ahead on the bridleway, which after 150m swings left and passes a metal fieldgate on the right (the return route from the clockwise circuit around the lake). Continue gently uphill on the broad path for 175m to reach a viewpoint on the right overlooking Spynes Mere Nature Reserve?.

Continue the directions at §D.

3. Merstham Station to Spynes Mere (2¼ km)
• Take the tarmac path heading east from the station and continue along a semi-open space between houses and the embankment shielding them from the M25 (Merstham Bund). At the far end go through Furzefield Wood to Radstock Way Open Space. Go all the way down Radstock Way and turn left onto Bletchingley Road. Turn right onto a bridleway which zig-zags past the north-eastern corner of Mercers West Lake to a viewpoint overlooking Spynes Mere Nature Reserve.
1. If arriving from London on Platform 2, do not cross the footbridge but veer right down a tarmac path. This bends right, goes under the other branch of the Brighton main line and comes out onto the corner of an open space, with the M25 in a cutting behind the high embankment on the left, Merstham Bund.

   There is no way of avoiding the road noise on this stretch, but the walk route avoids the public footpath running along the top of Merstham Bund where it is even worse.

2. Take the grassy path ahead, gradually diverging from the residential street on the right. In 100m this joins a tarmac path from the recreation ground on the other side of the street and starts to climb gently. In a further 60m bear right off this cycleway (which zig-zags up the embankment) to continue on a clear path along a strip of grassland between trees.
3. At the far end of this grassland take the path ahead into Furzefield Wood, which later curves round to the right. As you approach a street veer left to continue near the edge of the wood, parallel to the street (Radstock Way). In 175m the path emerges into Radstock Way Open Space.
4. Keep ahead along the right-hand side of this recreational area for 100m. As there is no way through at the far end you need to go out onto Radstock Way before it swings right and go all the way downhill on this street. At the bottom turn left at a mini-roundabout onto Bletchingley Road, crossing over at the traffic island onto the pavement on its right-hand side.
5. In 100m turn right onto a signposted bridleway. In 200m this broad track swings left in front of a locked gate protecting a potential nature reserve, Mercers West Lake. After another left and right turn you come to a signposted path junction. Bear right across another bridleway to a viewpoint overlooking Spynes Mere Nature Reserve?.
   • The walk now makes a circuit around this lake, but you could skip this by going downhill on the bridleway you just crossed to meet the other end of the perimeter path in 175m. If you take this short cut (saving nearly 1 km) resume the directions at [?] in §D.
4. Spynes Mere to Nutfield Marsh (Inn on the Pond) (2¼ km)
• Make a clockwise circuit of the lake on the perimeter path. Turn left onto the bridleway heading south past Mercers Lake to the Inn on the Pond at Nutfield Marsh.
1. At the path junction do not take any of the signposted bridleways, but squeeze past a metal fieldgate onto a narrow path between hedges heading NNE. This soon swings right and becomes a broad grassy path around the lake (although there are only a few places with views of the water).
2. After several more right turns the perimeter path heads W for the final 450m. Go past another metal fieldgate and turn left onto a bridleway, retracing your outward route if you started from Redhill.
3. The bridleway swings right and in 150m comes to a path junction. Bear left to stay on the bridleway, ignoring the path ahead (the link route from Mercers Lake in §B).
4. Follow the bridleway across a large farm field, heading SSW. Unless you want to make a 250m out-and-back detour to the Aquasports centre on Mercers Lake (which has a small café), ignore a side path off to the right on the far side.
   • For this detour follow the path across a stream in the hedge boundary, along the left-hand side of a field and round to the left. The café is at the far end of the lakeside cabins, where there are views across the boating lake. Return the same way.
5. To continue the walk bear slightly left from the path across the field onto a track heading S past a few outbuildings and cottages. In 250m ignore a signposted footpath off to the right along the northern edge of Nutfield Marsh, but 25m further on veer right onto a mown grassy path heading SW across it (which is also a public footpath, but not signposted when last checked).
6. In 100m cross Nutfield Marsh Road and immediately turn left off the public footpath to go around the boundary of a cricket pitch. Follow the grassy path up to the prominent Inn on the Pond, the early lunch stop.

If you are doing the Shorter Walk (via Nutfield), go to §H.

5. The Inn on the Pond to Brewer Street (2¼ km)
• Go past the front of the pub and keep right to return to Nutfield Marsh Road. In 100m take the footpath on the left past Glebe Lake, across the access road to the quarry workings and around two sides of a farm field. Turn right onto a farm lane going under the M23 to Pendell Road. Turn right and go up the road for 150m, then take a footpath on the left across fields to Sandy Lane in the hamlet of Brewer Street.
1. Go past the front of the pub (heading away from the cricket pitch) and keep right at a junction of driveways to return to Nutfield Marsh Road. Go along its pavement for 100m, then cross over carefully and go through a wooden kissing gate onto the signposted footpath.

   The OS map shows this footpath starting from Nutfield Marsh and taking a more northerly route, but it has been diverted away from the quarry workings.

2. The footpath goes through the belt of trees next to the road and continues along the right-hand edge of a farm field, soon with glimpses of Glebe Lake through the undergrowth on the right. At the field corner keep ahead on a broad grassy path with an embankment protecting the quarry workings on the left. After bending right the path passes a cleared area with a good view of the lake.
3. At the end of the path go across a works access road flanked by a couple of gates and keep ahead along the right-hand edge of another farm field. In the next corner ignore gaps ahead and to the right and turn left to stay inside the field, now heading N. Three-quarters of the way along the field edge bear right onto a short path through the tree boundary and go over a stile onto a farm track.
4. Follow the track down a slope and keep ahead where it joins the driveway from the property, soon going under the M23 motorway. Keep left at the entrance to Lake Farm and follow the drive out to a road (Pendell Road). Cross the road carefully and go along its pavement for 150m, passing the entrance to a cluster of houses and an old cottage. Just before reaching a double metal fieldgate turn left onto a signposted footpath.
5. Follow a grassy path away from the road, soon bending slightly right to head E between two fields, with views of some school buildings away to the left. In 300m keep ahead past the side of a small wood to continue alongside a hedge. In the field corner go through a gap in the trees onto a narrow path. Continue along a driveway to reach a lane (Sandy Lane) at a sharp bend in the hamlet of Brewer Street.
6. Brewer Street to Bletchingley (Red Lion) (1¾ km)
• Turn right onto a footpath going over a small hill and down to the left. Continue on a footpath heading south-east across farm fields to the outskirts of Bletchingley. Head south up an open space and go through the churchyard to come out onto the A25 opposite the Whyte Harte Hotel, the first of the village's refreshment places. Go uphill on the main road for 400m to the crossroads with Castle Square and Stychens Lane, continuing past it for 75m to visit its other pub (the Red Lion).
1. Cross Sandy Lane carefully and take the footpath on the inside of the bend, going up a small bank and past an old stile into the bottom corner of a field. Follow a clear grassy path climbing gently up two fields for 250m, heading S and going through a gap in the wooden fence between them.
2. At the end of the second field go past a rusty gate and turn three-quarters left onto a grassy path going back downhill. Go through a gap in the trees into the corner of a small field, with two faint grassy paths ahead. The suggested route is to fork left onto the path going diagonally across the field to its opposite corner.

   The right of way is actually up the right-hand path and along two field edges to the same corner, but the short cut is clearly well used.

3. In the field corner follow a short path across a stream in the tree boundary and turn right onto a path along the edge of a large farm field. At the corner turn left at the signposted footpath junction to stay inside the field, heading E with trees on the right.
   • The rather gloomy path ahead is a more direct route into Bletchingley, coming out near the Red Lion at the top of Stychens Lane. The suggested route is more scenic and goes past all the village's refreshment places, as well as the parish church.
4. At the end of the trees bear right to cut across a piece of this irregularly-shaped field. In the corner go through a metal kissing gate onto a path through a belt of trees. Keep left to go along the bottom of a strip of grassland and back into a wood. Follow the path up through the trees and out into a large open space. Bear slightly right to go all the way up its left-hand edge. At the top go out through a gap into the corner of a small housing estate.
5. Cross the driveway and go along a short tarmac path to a T-junction with an enclosed public footpath. Turn left and follow this into the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin?. Fork right onto the path going past the western end of the church, which is usually open and well worth a visit.
6. Leave the churchyard by the main entrance (opposite the south door) and go out onto Bletchingley's wide High Street (the A25), with the Village Stores on the left and two possible lunch places opposite: the Whyte Harte Hotel and (just off to the right) Lamingtons Tea Room. There are bus stops on both sides of the road, with the one outside the Whyte Harte for buses to Redhill.
7. For the alternative lunch pub and/or to continue the walk, go up the High Street for 400m. At a crossroads (with Stychens Lane on the right, the direct route into the village) the ongoing route is down Castle Square to the left. However, to visit the other pub continue along the A25 (now Castle Street) for 75m. The Red Lion is on the right-hand side, opposite another stop for buses to Redhill.
7. The Red Lion to South Nutfield (2¾ km)
• Go down Castle Square for 100m and bear right onto a footpath along the side of Castle Hill, joining the Greensand Way (GW). Follow this fenced path as it contours along the hillside for 300m, then veers left downhill. At the bottom turn right at a footpath junction and follow the path back under the M23 and below Steners Hill. Turn left onto Cooper's Hill Road, then in 75m turn right onto a footpath across a field. Fork left where it splits to come out onto Mid Street in South Nutfield. Turn left and go along its pavement to the entrance to the village's recreation ground.
  • If you want to divert to Nutfield station (500m away), carry on down Mid Street and fork right into North Station Approach.
1. From the crossroads near the Red Lion go down Castle Square for 100m, heading S. Before the lane drops steeply downhill, bear right onto a signposted footpath by the driveway to Castle Place, joining the Greensand Way?. The fenced path curves round to the right to contour along Castle Hill?, with fine views to the left across the Low Weald.
2. The path eventually swings left and drops down the hillside. At the bottom go over a stile, then almost immediately turn right at a footpath signpost to go over a more awkward stile. Follow a grassy path along the right-hand edge of some farm fields.
3. As you approach the motorway go over a stile and follow a path round to the left through some undergrowth, which leads to a long dark tunnel under the M23. On the other side ignore a footpath off to the right to continue on a broad tree-lined path at the foot of Steners Hill. After passing the entrance to Pine Hill House keep ahead on its driveway to reach a lane (Coopers Hill Road).
4. Turn left onto this lane, taking care as there is no pavement and more traffic than you might expect. You will be turning right onto a signposted footpath after 75m and there is a narrow grass verge on that side shortly before reaching it, so cross the road carefully when possible. Go over a stile in the tree boundary and continue along the left-hand edge of a field.
5. In 100m bear left to stay on the field edge. In the next corner go through a metal gate and keep ahead across a field. On the far side go through another gate and follow a fenced path downhill. This comes out past a house onto a road (Mid Street) in South Nutfield.
6. Turn left and go along Mid Street for 150m. Shortly after crossing a side street (Braes Mead), there is an entrance to the village's recreation ground on the right.

Unless you want to curtail the walk by diverting to Nutfield Station, go to §I.

7. Finishing at Nutfield Station (+½ km)

1. Carry on down Mid Street for a further 350m and fork right at a crossroads into North Station Approach. The station is at the far end; cross the footbridge to Platform 1 for trains to Redhill.
   • If you want some refreshment before catching a train, go down South Station Approach from the exit on Platform 1. The Station Bar and Restaurant is 125m away.
8. The Inn on the Pond to South Nutfield direct (2¾ km)
• Take the footpath heading south past the side of the pub and then up a long grassy slope. At the top turn left onto a footpath leading to Nutfield's parish church. Go up Church Hill and turn right onto the A25, soon passing the Queens Head pub. After passing Nutfield Memorial Hall turn left onto a path running downhill alongside Mid Street into South Nutfield. Continue …
1. By the entrance to the pub's car park take the signposted footpath heading S, between the side of the pub and a wooded area. At the end of the property go through a metal kissing gate and follow the path out of the trees into some scrubland. Make your way onto a clear grassy path which you can see climbing gently up the long slope ahead, about half-left from your previous direction.
2. Simply follow this path all the way up the hillside, initially heading SE and curving gradually round to the right. The path skirts a wood on the right and as you gain height there are views back across some quarry workings to the North Downs. At the top go through a metal kissing gate in front of a wood and turn left onto a path along its edge.
3. In 150m the woodland path emerges into a parking area. Go through this and out along a short driveway to a road (Church Hill). Cross the road carefully and go through a neatly-shaped gap in the hedge opposite into the churchyard of Ss Peter and Paul?.
4. Follow the tarmac path up and round to the right past the western end of the church (which is usually locked). Leave the churchyard via the lychgate and carry on up the walkway alongside Church Hill to the crossroads with the A25. Turn right to head W on Nutfield's High Street and cross over carefully to the left-hand side when possible. In 125m you reach the other lunch pub on this walk, the Queens Head.
5. To resume the walk carry on along the left-hand side of the High Street, still heading W. In 250m there are bus stops on both sides near the entrance to Nutfield Memorial Hall, with the one on this side for buses to Redhill. Take care when crossing a fairly busy side road signposted to South Nutfield, then immediately turn left onto a walkway which curves back to run alongside it.
6. The road (Mid Street) goes downhill and soon comes to another junction, with Sandy Lane forking off to the right. The walk route continues on the woodland path opposite (between the two roads), but you need to take great care when crossing Sandy Lane as most of the traffic turns off here. The path climbs a short slope and then goes steadily downhill through the trees, never far from Mid Street below on your left.
7. Ignore side paths off to the right. At the end of the trees the path goes between barriers and drops down to become Mid Street's pavement. Follow the road through the village for 450m, curving right and then left. …

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9. South Nutfield to Earlswood Park (3 km)
• Turn right into the recreation ground and go along its right-hand side. Follow the footpath across farm fields, over the Redhill–Tonbridge line and turn left at a footpath junction. Turn right briefly onto Kings Cross Lane, then turn left onto a track opposite Bower Hill Lane. Continue along Kings Mill Lane for 300m, (re)joining the Greensand Way (GW). Turn right onto a footpath going along field edges, across a disused lane (Canadian Road) and along a fenced path between fields. Fork right at a footpath junction, staying on the GW as it skirts around the Royal Earlswood Park development and comes to a footpath junction at the eastern corner of Earlswood Park.
  • If you want to divert to Earlswood station (500m away), go through the parkland and turn left onto Brambletye Park Road. Keep ahead at a crossroads onto Station Approach East and go under the railway tracks to the station entrance.
1. Turn right off Mid Street into the recreation ground and go all the way along its right-hand side. This is also a public footpath and the right of way continues over a stile and along the edge of a farm field. The exit is 250m away near its far left-hand corner, so after going through a farm gate bear slightly left; if the field is divided by fencing you might have to go through some more gates along the way.
2. On the left-hand side of the field go through a metal kissing gate in the tree boundary and continue in the same direction to cut across the corner of another field. In the field corner go over a stile and up a flight of steps to cross the Redhill–Tonbridge branch line on its embankment.
3. After descending the steps on the far side turn right with the path and immediately turn left onto a narrow and slightly awkward path, heading away from the railway. The footpath comes out between houses onto a street (Kings Cross Lane). Turn right and go along its grass verge to a staggered road junction, with Bower Hill Lane on the right.
4. At the junction turn left onto the tarmac track opposite Bower Hill Lane (the original roadway before the junction was redesigned for safety reasons). The track soon merges with Kings Mill Lane where you (re)join the Greensand Way? (GW) along one of its more awkward stretches, a fairly busy road with no pavement.
5. You need to take great care for the next 200m, as you have to walk along the roadway with high hedges on both sides. However, shortly after crossing Redhill Brook there is a grass verge on the left-hand side, between the two entrances to a small industrial building. Opposite the main (second) entrance cross the road carefully onto the signposted footpath opposite.
6. Go along the right-hand side of a vast farm field. In 500m go through a gap in the corner and keep ahead across another field. After skirting a clump of trees the path bends slightly right and you go through the tree boundary onto a long straight disused lane. Turn left briefly onto the lane, then in about 30m turn right at a footpath signpost onto a path through a belt of trees, still on the GW.
7. At the end of the trees continue on a fenced path climbing gently between two fields, with a distant view of Nutfield Priory? on the Greensand Ridge, 1½ km away to the right. The path bends left at the top of the slope and after crossing a farm lane goes gently downhill towards a wood, still between fences. On reaching them fork right at a three-way footpath junction to continue on a broad path through an old orchard.
8. In 200m the path swings left, now with a semi-open area beyond the fence on your right. In 125m ignore a kissing gate into the private grounds of a new housing development on the left. The path continues alongside Redhill Brook and in a further 125m comes to a path junction, with the GW forking off to the left and the way ahead leading into the eastern corner of some parkland.

Unless you want to curtail the walk by diverting to Earlswood Station, go to §J.

9. Finishing at Earlswood Station (+½ km)

1. Keep ahead into the parkland and follow the path along its right-hand edge. In 150m fork left onto a grassy path cutting across a corner to its northern side.
2. Go through the tree boundary and turn left onto a residential street (Brambletye Park Road). In 100m keep ahead at a crossroads into Station Approach East.
3. At the end of this short street go down steps and through a subway under the railway tracks to Station Road West. The station entrance is on the left, with Platform 1 on this side for trains to Redhill and London.
   • If you want some refreshment before catching a train, go up Station Approach West. An ice cream parlour and the Old Chestnut pub are both less than 50m away.
10. Earlswood Park to Pendleton Road (2 km)
• Fork left onto the woodland path, staying on the GW. Keep ahead on Princes Road and Asylum Arch Road to go under the Brighton main line to the A23. Cross over and take paths across Earlswood Common towards Earlswood Lakes, leaving the GW. After going along the Upper Lake's southern side to the causeway along its western side you could detour around the Lower Lake to visit the Lakes Cafe. From the north-western corner of the Upper Lake take the footpath heading north across the common to meet Pendleton Road near its junction with Abinger Drive.
1. For the most direct route fork left at the path junction, staying on the GW. Follow the woodland path near the southern edge of the parkland and then keep ahead on Princes Road, with the Royal Earlswood Park? development off to the left.
   • Alternatively you could veer left through the parkland to come out onto Princes Road in its south-western corner, but you might have to take a circuituous route to avoid wading through the long grass.
2. Go straight over a crossroads to continue on Asylum Arch Road. At the end of this cul-de-sac go past vehicle barriers and keep right to go under the Brighton main line on a disused lane. Follow this past a mix of open space and woodland to the A23 and cross this busy main road with great care. Take the path just off to the left into a wooded part of Earlswood Common?, leaving the GW.
3. Keep ahead at a path crossing and again where the path emerges from the trees. At the bottom of a slight dip cross a stream on a plank bridge and bear slightly right from your previous direction, taking any of the grassy paths towards a line of trees about 100m ahead. Bear right onto a path going alongside them, then fork left in front of a copse fork left to continue alongside it.
4. The path leads to the eastern end of Upper Earlswood Lake. Veer left onto its perimeter path and go all the way along its southern side, with occasional glimpses of the water through the trees. Unless you want to detour to the park café, keep right at the far end to continue along a causeway separating the two Earlswood Lakes, crossing a small weir linking them.

5. Detour to the Lakes Cafe (+½ km)

1. Veer left down the slope and follow the perimeter path along the southern and western sides of the Lower Earlswood Lake. The Lakes Cafe is by the car park at the far end.
2. Return along the path past the left-hand side of the café, running parallel to the northern side of the lake. After crossing a stream the path rejoins the main route in front of the Upper Lake.
6. In the north-western corner of the Upper Lake there are some information panels about the common and a human sundial? on the ground. At this point leave the perimeter path and take the path heading N, climbing gently away from the lake through a mix of open grassland and woodland (part of a former golf course).
7. Carry on in this direction for the next 500m. Halfway along the path jinks left and right to switch to the other side of a belt of trees, but otherwise the route is straightforward. You gradually approach a road coming in from the left (Pendleton Road) and reach it by its junction with Abinger Drive.
11. Pendleton Road to Redhill Station (2¼ km)
• Cross the main road and continue to head northwards, climbing the wooded slope of Redhill Common to the open grassland at its summit (the most direct route is a path parallel to and then across Kings Avenue, passing to the left of St John's Primary School). Go into the trees behind the King George Ⅴ Memorial and take a broad path descending to Whitepost Hill / Mill Street. Cross the road into Linkfield Street and immediately fork right to go down Upper Bridge Road, Lower Bridge Road and Chapel Road to Redhill's High Street. Turn left to go through the central pedestrianised area and turn right onto Station Road for the station.
  
1. Cross Pendleton Road at the zebra crossing and continue on the roadside path, which soon bears left away from the road and crosses Mountview Drive. Shortly before reaching the next side street (Fairlawn Drive) take the left-hand of two paths ahead at a five-way junction. Go straight across Fairlawn Drive to continue on a woodland path, parallel to a street (Kings Avenue) and heading N.
2. In 100m go straight across Kings Avenue (which has swung left) and follow the path up a slope. Keep ahead across the driveway to St John's Primary School, cross Kings Avenue again and go up a flight of steps onto the wooded slope of Redhill Common?. Keep ahead at a path crossing after 100m and follow the path up and round to the right to emerge onto open grassland at the summit, with the King George Ⅴ Memorial? directly ahead.
3. After pausing to enjoy the fine view to the south from the nearby benches take either of two paths into the trees directly behind them, heading N. Both come to an oblique path crossing after 75m where you turn half-right onto a broad path going gently downhill. In around 300m keep ahead at a major path crossing to go more steeply downhill.
4. At the bottom of the slope the path comes out abruptly onto a road junction with no pavement. Cross the main road carefully (Whitepost Hill to the left, Mill Street to the right) onto the right-hand side of Linkfield Street opposite. After crossing a side street (Ridgeway Road) keep right to continue on Upper Bridge Road, initially parallel to and just above Linkfield Street.
5. In 100m Upper Bridge Road swings right, then curves left to descend towards the centre of Redhill. Keep ahead at a crossroads and bear right at the next junction, now on Lower Bridge Road. After crossing the North Downs railway line fork right onto Chapel Road and go down to the High Street.
6. Turn left onto the High Street. In 100m cross over at the traffic lights to continue on its pedestrianised section. You pass a café / bar on the right, Posadero Lounge, then an entrance to the Belfry Shopping Centre (which contains some refreshment places) on the left.
7. At the junction with Station Road the Busy Beans coffee shop is on the corner, and there is a Costa just down the road to the left (away from the station). To reach Redhill Station head E on Station Road and bear left to go between the bus station and the A23/A25 roundabout.
8. Cross the A23 (Princess Way) at the pedestrian lights and go across the forecourt to the station entrance. Most trains to London depart from Platform 2; some leave from Platforms 0 or 1 but these are ‘reversible’ lines, so be careful not to take a train heading away from London.
   

Walk Notes

1. The Moors Nature Reserve is one of the restored sand quarries in the Vale of Holmesdale, managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust. Access is restricted to the public footpath running through it and the cycleway along its southern boundary (both of which sometimes flood).
2. Holmethorpe Lagoons Nature Reserve was created by Linden Homes (in partnership with Surrey Wildlife Trust) as part of the neighbouring Watercolour development.
3. Mercers Country Park has been created around a former sand quarry which is now used for fishing and water sports such as sailing and kayaking. As part of its expansion plans the small water sports centre has been given permission to incorporate a permanent café.
4. Spynes Mere Nature Reserve was the first of the old sand quarries in the area to be restored. There is a perimeter path around it but only one viewpoint overlooking the lake. Surrey Wildlife Trust constructed a 20m-long sandbank in 2021 to encourage sand martins to breed.
5. The tower of St Mary the Virgin, Bletchingley dates from 1090 but most of the church was rebuilt in the 15^thC. The striking Clayton Memorial in the south aisle was created in 1705 and is considered one of the finest memorials of its type in Surrey. However, the modern Church of England is embarrassed by Sir Robert Clayton's financial links to the slave trade and the chapel now honours Desmond Tutu (the South African archbishop and winner of the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize), who was a curate at Bletchingley from 1965-67.
6. The Greensand Way runs for 175 km from Hamstreet in Kent to Haslemere in Surrey, following the course of a sandstone ridge just to the south of the North Downs.
7. Castle Hill is the site of a 12^thC Norman castle which was destroyed during the civil wars in the 1260s. The word ‘castle’ appears in several street and place names but the site has been built over and only a few remnants of some concentric ditches survive.
8. Ss Peter and Paul, Nutfield dates from the early 13^thC, when it was rebuilt on the site of an earlier Saxon or Norman church.
9. Nutfield Priory was built in 1872-74 as a country house in neo-Gothic style, on the site of the former Reigate Priory. The Grade Ⅱ listed building is now a luxury hotel and health spa.
10. The Royal Earlswood Park development is on the site of a large “Asylum for Idiots” (as the mentally ill were termed at the time) which was built in 1850. The hospital gained a Royal charter in 1862, was renamed the “Royal Earlswood Institution for Mental Defectives” in 1926 and closed in 1997.
11. Earlswood Common is an 89-hectare Local Nature Reserve managed by Reigate and Banstead Council. The layout of the golf course which closed in 2019 can be traced in its mix of grassland, scattered trees and woodland.
12. A human sundial uses a person's shadow to indicate the time. The point where the person stands has to change over the year because of the earth's axial tilt and its elliptical orbit around the sun.
13. Redhill Common became heavily wooded when grazing ceased in the 20^thC. Reigate and Banstead Council belatedly removed the tree growth to the south of the summit in 2005, restoring the fine view across the Weald to the South Downs.
14. The octagonal King George Ⅴ Memorial in Portland stone commemorates the king's Silver Jubilee in 1935. It is located where a sighting pillar had been erected in the 1840s to assist in the construction of the long straight railway line to Tonbridge.

» Last updated: October 11, 2024

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