Box Hill

Surrey

Panoramic views and outstanding ancient woodland

The Old Fort, Box Hill Road, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 7LB

Opening times
See on map

Visitor at the view point looking across towards the South Downs on a frosty winter's morning

M T W T F S S
Open
Closed
Opening times for 20 February 2026
Asset Opening time
Countryside Dawn - Dusk
Café 10:00 - 17:00
Servery 08:00 - 15:00
Overnight parking and camping is not allowed. Help us look after Box Hill by not lighting fires or barbeques.
Adventure playground/play area
Bookshop
Discover a selection of pre-loved books in our bookshop next to the Servery. Opening times are Sat - Thu, 10am-3.30pm, subject to volunteer availability.
Café
Treat yourself at the Box Hill café . We serve barista-style coffees with traditional round cakes and bakes for a tasty treat. If you like something hot, we have a range of hearty and light lunches. Every time you bring your own cup, we will give you 25p off as a thank you. We have high chairs, accessible crockery and cutlery and are open daily from 10am.
Café - more information
Car park
You must pay to park here (National Trust members park free). You need to validate your parking at a machine or on the JustPark app. There is no phone signal, so download and set up the app before your visit. £2 up to 1 hour. £4 up to 2 hours. £6 up to 4 hours. £9 all day. No overnight parking or camping.
Car park - more information
Cycle parking
Cycle parking for 15 bicycles is available to the left of the café and in front of the servery.
Dogs allowed
Well-controlled dogs are welcome. Please keep dogs on leads where livestock are grazing. Dogs on a short lead are welcome in our café.
Guided tour
Free guided walks to discover more about Box Hill are available. Please see our upcoming events for times and details.
Guided tour - more information
Kiosk
Open daily from 8am. The service from the servery is totally grab and go. Bring your own reusable cup and we will give you 25p off your hot drink as a thank you for helping the environment. The ice cream kiosk will be open daily form 10am-4.30pm, serving scooped ice cream, cold drinks, crisps and chocolate.
Kiosk - more information
Toilet
Toilets are located next to the café, adjacent the main car park.
Steep pathways with steps and uneven surfaces – level at summit of hill. Blue Badge parking. Accessible toilets. All-terrain push wheelchair available to book.
Accessible route and/or map
Accessible paths including a route through the woods to oustanding views. Many paths are not accessible due to uneven or very steep terrain.
Accessible toilet
Toilets are located next to the café, adjacent the main car park.
Designated parking
Parking for Blue Badge holders is available in our main car park, near the Shepherd’s Hut information stand and also in the Old Fort car park to the rear of the buildings. These spaces are larger and lead via flat surfaces to our facilities.
Level access to food outlet
From the designated parking for Blue Badge holders.
Level access/terrain
Steps/uneven terrain
Wheelchairs available
A Mountain Trike all-terrain push wheelchair and a Mountain Trike all-terrain self-propelled wheelchair can be borrowed free of charge. To find out if our facilities and chair are suitable for your needs, and reserve, please email: boxhill@nationaltrust.org.uk. Weight restrictions apply. Chair user must be accompanied by attendant wearing sturdy footwear.
Map
Directions via Google Maps
On foot
Box Hill is readily accessible on foot with many paths connecting the area.

Box Hill is part of the North Downs Way for 1 mile (1.6km) between the famous Stepping Stones over the River Mole and Box Hill village. This trail will take you up or down the iconic chalk escarpment that the hill is best known for. The trail is steep with 270 steps.

Box Hill is part of the >Thames Down Link for 1 mile (1.6km) across the Mickleham Downs. This is a route linking two National Trails, the Thames Path at Kingston and the North Downs Way at Box Hill & Westhumble train station.

Box Hill is part of the Pilgrims’ Way for 1 mile (1.6km) between the Stepping Stones over the River Mole and Brockham quarry. This ancient track, connecting Winchester and Canterbury, goes through farm and woodland at the foot of the hill.

Box Hill is approximately 3 miles (5km) from Dorking and Dorking Deepdene train stations. It is 2.2 miles (3.5km) from Box Hill & Westhumble train station. See by train information for details.
Cycling
Cycle parking is outside the main facilities.

Box Hill is very popular with cyclists. It is a challenge due to the 200m of elevation gain to reach the top. It was part of the route for the 2012 Olympic Games cycling road race, when the hill was climbed 9 times by the riders.

Box Hill summit is 1.6 miles (2.5km) from National Cycle Network Route 22 (NCN22). This route connects south London with Portsmouth, an escape into nature through the countryside. Nearby, it runs between Banstead and Guildford, through Dorking. In Banstead it joins with NCN20, connecting to south and central London.

Box Hill is approximately 3 miles (5km) from Dorking and Dorking Deepdene train stations. From here, there is a good cycle path beside the A24 along the bottom of the hill, part of NCN22. Follow this onto the Old London Road, following signs to Box Hill, climb the Zig Zag Road to the summit. This is shared with local traffic.

Plan your route to Box Hill using the CycleStreets journey planner via the by bicycle link below. (This journey planner uses OpenStreetMap data which is generally excellent but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. If you come to a footpath or other cycle-prohibited track, please don’t ride on it).

Cycle hire is available from several places in Dorking.
Cycling - more information
By train
There are good connections to London Waterloo, London Victoria, Clapham Junction, Sutton, Epsom, Horsham, Guildford, Reading, Reigate, Redhill and Gatwick.

Box Hill is approximately 3 miles (5km) from Dorking and Dorking Deepdene train stations. On foot or cycle, follow the A24 north. You will see Box Hill to your righthand side. Continue past a large roundabout with Denbies Vineyard to your left.

On foot, after 350m, turn right in to the small Stepping Stones car park. Follow the signposted path across the river to the summit. It is steep with 270 steps.

By cycle, after 1km at the next roundabout, turn right on to the Old London Road by the Sunday Burford Bridge Hotel. Follow the road uphill before taking the first right turn on to the Zig Zag Road, climbing 1.6 miles (2.5km) to the summit.

Box Hill is 2.2 miles (3.5km) from Box Hill & Westhumble station. On foot or cycle, follow signposts to Box Hill along Westhumble Street. Where this meets the A24, there is a pedestrian and cycle underpass to the left. Turn left out of the underpass.

On foot, you can turn right into Burford Meadows, crossing the river after a few minutes and heading to the summit. It is steep with 270 steps.

By cycle, continue ahead to the roundabout. Here, turn right on to the Old London Road by the Sunday Burford Bridge Hotel. Follow the road uphill before taking the first right turn on to the Zig Zag Road, climbing 1.6 miles (2.5km) to the summit.
By train - more information
By bus
The 465 bus travels between Dorking and Kingston every day, with several stops at the bottom of Box Hill. Get off at North Downs Way southbound or Westhumble Street northbound to access via the Stepping Stones. Get off at Zig Zag Road and follow the path up the signposted bridleway to the summit. The 465 bus can be taken from outside Dorking and Dorking Deepdene train stations.

The 21 bus travels between Crawley, Dorking, Leatherhead and Epsom, from Monday to Saturday, stopping at the summit of Box Hill. Get off at the National Trust East car park, where the bus will turn around. You are a short distance from the viewpoint and visitor facilities.

The >Surrey Connect on demand electric bus service operates Monday to Saturday. Box Hill is part of the Central Surrey zone covering Box Hill, all Dorking rail stations, and other local connections.
By road
The Zig Zag Road is not suitable for large vehicles. It is narrow with tight hairpin corners. Coaches, or other large vehicles, must approach from Box Hill village to the east – the B2032 and/or B2033 roads, and Box Hill Road.

There are several National Trust car parks at Box Hill. The main and east car parks are at the summit, with over 200 spaces. The Stepping Stones car park is off the A24 southbound. It has very limited parking. Do not park on the surrounding roadway, verges, or obstruct the pavement, cycle path or nearby residents.

Accessible parking is in the Old Fort car park at the summit, to the rear of the visitor facilities. Approaching from the A24, this will be the first gate on your right. Approaching from Box Hill village, drive past the main car park and then café. The gate is to the left immediately after the building.

From Junction 9 of the M25 follow the A243 (signed A24 Epsom, Dorking and Leatherhead), before taking the A24 towards Dorking for 4 miles. At the bottom of the hill, turn left on the roundabout on to the B2209, then right on to the Zig Zag Road to the summit of Box Hill.

From Dorking follow the A24 towards Leatherhead (signed M25, A24 London and Leatherhead). After 1 miles (1.6km), passing Denbies Vineyard to your left, turn right off the roundabout (signed Box Hill and Mickleham). Take the first right at the brown sign for Box Hill onto the Zig Zag Road. This road is not suitable for large vehicles. Continue to the main car park and visitor facilities at the summit.
Parking: You must pay to park here. National Trust members park for free. Download the JustPark app before your visit. £2 up to 1 hour. £4 up to 2 hours. £6 up to 4 hours. £9 all day. No overnight parking or camping. See more details under ‘Facilities’.

Opening times for 20 February 2026
Asset	Opening time
Countryside	Dawn - Dusk
Café	10:00 - 17:00
Servery	08:00 - 15:00

Events at Box Hill

With family activities and trails, special interest talks and free guided walks, find out more about the events coming up at Box Hill.

Visitors on a woodland walk family trail at Acorn Bank, Cumbria

Box Hill is a wonderful place to explore the Surrey countryside this winter. Join a free guided walk, enjoy a family stroll through the natural play area, or make a day of it on the Box Hill hike. Browse our waymarked walks for something to suit you and don't forget to pop in to our café for a well-earned treat.

Two women walkers, dressed in winter clothing, admiring the view at Box Hill

Things to do at Box Hill

Discover what to see and do at Box Hill in the Surrey Hills this winter. Bring the family and the dog and follow a waymarked walk to explore this beautiful landscape or just soak up the glorious views. Or cycle up the Zig Zag road, one of the world’s most popular hill climbs with the reward of treat from the café and the stunning view at the summit.

A group of people stands admiring the view from the top of Box Hill, Surrey, over misty wooded hills

Eating at Box Hill

Visit the café for a selection of hot and cold lunches, cakes and bakes and barista style hot and cold drinks. Dogs on short leads are welcome inside the café. For drink and food to go, pop by the servery. Please note from 1 October we will no longer be using single-use cups. Bring your own reusable cup and we'll take 25p off your hot drink, or borrow one of our returnable cups and just bring back to our collection point when you've finished.

Returnable cup and a pastry on a napkin on a table outside the Box Hill cafe

Visiting the Surrey Hills with your dog

Surrey Hills is a one pawprint rated place. With a wide variety of paths and open spaces, the Surrey Hills are an ideal place to bring your dog for a walk. Here’s what to keep in mind to keep your dog and others safe.

Close up of beagle on a hi-vis green lead

Free guided walks in the Surrey Hills

This year we've got a packed programme of free guided walks throughout the Surrey Hills countryside. With walks of various lengths, do join us in exploring the history and wildlife of different places as well as enjoying fresh air and good company!

Guided walks around Clent Hills in partnership with Cotswold Outdoors, Worcestershire

Surrey Hills podcasts: A walk with a ranger

Tune into episode 3 of The Surrey Hills podcasts: 'A walk with a ranger' to discover more about Box Hill’s history, ancient box woodland and chalk grasslands, and how its precious wildlife can live side by side with the million visitors who enjoy the beauty of Box Hill every year.

A sound recordist recording an interview at the view point at Box Hill

Planning an event in the Surrey Hills?

If you would like to host an event on National Trust land, or your sporting event includes routes on National Trust land, please email us at: surreyhills@nationaltrust.org.uk. Please contact us at least twelve weeks before the event date. We know how important events are to organisers and participants. Please help us ensure events are safe and legal for both participants and our visitors.

A smiling group in running gear run through woodland

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