Miss James walk at Hindhead
Take a gentle walk and find out who the Victorian philanthropist Miss James was. This woodland trail is ideal in high summer where you can enjoy the cool shade. The route also uses the new Miss James footbridge over the A3.
More on Miss James
Miss James was born in 1831 into a poor family. She became a lady's companion to the heiress of an East London family of wine merchants. Upon her employers' death in 1888, Miss James was bequeathed her entire (very substantial) estate. In the late 1880s she relocated to Hindhead, utilising her considerable wealth to acquire large tracts of land in the area including Nutcombe Valley, Bramshott Chase and Ludshott Common. As a keen supporter of the then fledgling National Trust, these tracts of land were subsequently donated to the Trust. Miss James also funded the construction of St Luke's Church in Grayshott where her remains are now interred following her death in 1910.
Total steps: 6
Total steps: 6
Start point
Miss James' car park (parking is limited). (Alternatively, begin at the southern end of Devils Punchbowls Car Park and follow the path in the hedgerow running alongside the hotel. With the Punchbowl hotel to your right, follow the obvious path to a T-junction, then turn right, picking up a narrow path with a fence on the left. Take care as this path terminates at the main Haslemere/Hindhead road. Cross the road and bear right on the pavement. After about 10 metres bear left at the National Trust/Tyndall's Wood sign. Proceed to step 3.)
Step 1
Begin at the Information Board entitled Miss James’ Walk positioned at the far end of the car park. Continue along the path to the right of board to exit the car park as it bends slightly left emerging at a fork. Miss James’ Walk is a Circular walk that is waymarked both clockwise and anticlockwise. For clockwise, turn left downhill following a gradual descent with fences to the left and the valley to the right. Enter the woods and follow a double bend before reaching a steeper winding ascent.
Step 2
As the path levels, the Hindhead/Haslemere road should be visible behind the treeline. 5m before reaching the road, turn right to follow the path running parallel to the road. Continue straight for 100m passing the access gate on the left. Bear right to proceed downhill for 400m into Nutcombe Valley.
Step 3
At the ‘y’ junction, take the path signposted left. The path runs parallel to the track lower down in the base of the valley.
Step 4
After another 400m, at a junction with a bench, turn right to proceed downhill to the valley floor. Take an immediate right on the track once at the bottom of the valley, to walk a further 50 metres up the path.
Step 5
Take a slight left off of the track to begin a more demanding uphill climb. At a crossroads, make a sharp left and continue uphill.
Step 6
Soon after, take a sharp right-hand turn. Follow the fence-line and bear left to emerge at Miss James’ A3 Footbridge. Continue straight as the path narrows, bear slightly left at the junction to return back at the car park.
End point
Miss James' car park
Trail map
More near here
Hidden Hindhead walking trail
Follow this walk crossing the old A3 to discover local history, spot grazing ponies and cattle and, on a clear day, catch views of the distant London skyline.
Highcombe hike
Embark on a challenging hike through the ancient woodland and open heath of Hindead Commons, skirting the Punch Bowl before dropping down to the valley to return.
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