Surrey

Although a vast commuter suburb to London with a dense population and many large sprawling towns relative to it's size, Surrey has managed to retain some areas of natural beauty which provide relaxation and enjoyment for tired inhabitants. Perhaps the most important of these areas is the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which provides many of the best walking locations in the county. From west to east the sandy heaths, beech clad hills and rolling chalkland of the North Downs provide open space and very pleasant walking. Indeed, the most important routes in Surrey are the North Downs Way from Farnham to the Kent border and, on the southern parallel Greensand Ridge, the Greensand Way, from Haselmere to Limpsfield. The Vanguard Way also travels across Surrey during it's journey from London to the south coast.

There are a number of beauty spots in Surrey which can become quite busy near car parks or visitor centres, but which provide good starting points for walks. Box Hill (NT) on the North Downs is an outstanding area of woodland and chalk downland providing some beautiful walking with spectacular views towards the south downs. Further south at Leith Hill (NT) on the Greensand Ridge, the highest point in south east England, there are more secluded walks amongst woodland containing ancient stands of hazel and oak. There are magnifient views from the summit and the area is famous for its colourful display of rhododendrons between May and June, a good time to plan a walk here. Another good location is Hindhead Commons and the stunning scenery of the Devil's Punchbowl.

	Guide Books: [Click for further information or to purchase]
	Village Walks in Surrey by: Rosemary Bryant. Surrey's villages and surroundings have a rich heritage of old abbeys, manor houses, thatched cottages, parish churches, rivers, byways, tracks and footpaths. The twenty routes in this book introduce the walker to some of the most picturesque villages in the county, such as Ripley, Brockham, Peaslake, Shere and Hascombe. The walks vary in length from 2 to 7 miles and there is information on what can be seen en route. On summer weekends a cricket match may be in progress on the village green at Pirbright, Ockley and Tilford, while at Thursley it is the former village hall which attracts attention. It was built by the famous architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens, who grew up in the village.
	100 Walks in Surrey compiled by: Clive Scott An omnibus of local walks covering the whole of Surrey. The book is ideal for family outings and as a valuable reference book for residents wanting to explore their county. The wide choice of routes are spread very evenly across the county. The walks vary in length from 2 to 12 miles, the majority being in the 4/6 mile range. They are listed in the contents by length, making it easy to find routes that suit your circumstances. In addition to the route descriptions, details are given of points of interest along the way, places to eat and drink and where to park the car. Sketch maps and route descriptions are on facing pages.
	Pub Walks in the Surrey Hills by: David Weller. 20 circular routes between 2.5 and 6 miles. The area offers a rich and varied landscape to explore, from the majestic chalk ridge of the North Downs and high, isolated sandstone outcrops such as Leith Hill, to the valleys of the Wey and Tilling Bourne rivers. Some routes include stretches of the Greensand Way, Pilgrims' Way and North Downs Way long distance footpaths, and many offer breathtaking views. There is the chance to visit historic Bletchingley with over 69 listed buildings; idyllic villages such as Hascombe, Abinger Hammer, Buckland and Peaslake; and the former home of 17th century diarist John Evelyn at Wotton.
	50 Walks in Surrey by: David Foster. 50 themed walks of between 3 and 8 miles, each with fascinating background reading. There are clear, easy-to-follow route descriptions, including detailed sketch maps, for every walk. Information on what to look out for during the walk and places to eat and drink is provided, including guidance for dog owners on where to walk and dog-friendly establishments. The walk locations include: Lingfield; Oxted; Outwood; Bletchingley; Woldingham; Crowhurst; Godstone; Chaldon; Reigate Heath; Banstead; Charlwood; Holmwood; Cherkley; Leigh; Epsom; Box Hill; Dorking; Headley; Polesden Lacey; Friday Street; Hampton Court; Chatley; Baynards; Newlands Corner; Runnymede; Farley; Pyrford; Guildford; Bramley; Alfold; Compton; Hydon Heath; Godalming; Pirbright; Puttenham; Chobham; Ash Vale; Witley; Hindhead; Waverley Abbey; Farnham.
	Walks in the Surrey Hills by: Janet Spayne and Audrey Krynski. This book of walks, now in its eight edition, has once more been completely revised and updated by Janet Spayne and Audrey Krynski. A local best-seller since the day of publication, the book describes twenty walks along and over the North Downs of Surrey from Guildford past Dorking, Redhill and Reigate to Chelsham. Each walk is accompanied by a sketch map, information on how to reach the start, where to park and the degree of difficulty (if any). There are alternative routes for those with children, and suggested places for refreshment along the way. The twenty walks offer a safe and exhilarating morning or afternoon in some of the widest variety of countryside to be found in England.
	Surrey and Sussex Walks by: John Brooks and Brian Conduit. 28 routes from extended strolls to exhilarating hikes. Locations include: St Leonard's Forest; Reigate and Colley Hills; Cranleigh; Pevensey Levels; Rye and Winchelsea; Burwash and Bateman's; Hartfield, Withyham and Five Hundred Acre Wood; Midhurst and Cowdray Park; Hastings Country Park; Battle; The Devil's Punchbowl; Leith Hill and Friday Street; Albury Downs and St Martha's Hill; Hambledon, Hascombe and the Hurtwood; Ashdown Forest; Wisborough Green, Arun valley and the Mens; Alfriston, Long Man of Wilmington and Jevington; Box Hill, Ranmore Common, Norbury Park and Juniper Bottom; Bignor Hill and Stane Street; Lewes, Balmer Down and the River Ouse; Friston Forest, the Seven Sisters and Cuckmere Haven; Ditchling Beacon and Wolstonbury Hill; Frensham Common and Kettlebury Hill; Cissbury and Chanctonbury Rings.
	Waterside Walks in Surrey by: David Weller. 20 circular routes between 2 and 6 miles. Locations are: Thames at Runnymede; Thames at Shepperton Lock; Thames near Hampton Court; The Mill Bourne, Emmett's Mill and a lily pond; The Basingstoke Canal by Pirbright; The River Wey Navigation by Send Grove; Pyrford Lock and Ockham Mill; River Mole and the Mole Valley; Gibbs Brook and ponds at Godstone; River Eden at Oxted; River Eden and the Eden Valley; Upper reaches of the River Mole; The Tilling Bourne at Shere; The Tilling Bourne and Chilworth; River Wey Navigation by Shalford; River Wey by Catteshall; Tilford, the River Wey and Frensham Little Pond; The Wey and Arun Canal and Wey South Path; Thursley Nature Reserve and ponds; Headwaters of the River Arun by Dunsfold.
	Kent Surrey and Sussex Pub Walks by: Michael Easterbrook and David Weller. 40 circular walks between 3 and 8 miles in length take the walker through some of the most beautiful scenery in south-east England. Pretty village greens, with duck ponds, cricket pitches and a village pub, rub shoulders with Iron Age hill-forts, Roman Villas, Tudor Mansions, moated manor houses and half-timbered cottages. Surrey offers country parks, nature reserves, quiet lanes and wooded river valleys. Locations in Surrey are: Tilford; Pirbright; Ripley; Burrowhill; Dunsfold; Shere; Leatherhead; Walton-on-the-Hill; Charlwood; Outwood; Godstone; Dormansland.