Box Hill Juniper Top circular walk
Starting at the top of Box Hill with stupendous views as far as the South Downs, this walk also offers further views of the North Downs. Follow the trail markers and enjoy the varied scenery - magical woods, glorious hilltop views and tranquil valleys. Wonderful in all seasons, it is especially beautiful in spring when the bluebells appear in the woods. Walking boots are recommended; there are some fairly steep gradients along the route.
Map
Start:
National Trust Visitor Centre at the top of Box Hill, grid ref: TQ178513
1
Start from the information board by the Box Hill café and walk along the path to the viewpoint. Take a minute here to admire the stupendous panorama before you. On a clear day you can see as far as Chanctonbury Ring on the South Downs 24 miles away! The village of Brockham is to your left and Dorking to your right. Turn left and go down the steps or the slope and head towards the woods.
Salomons viewpoint
This viewpoint commemorates Leopold Salomons, a London financier, who gave Box Hill to the National Trust in 1914, to protect it from development. He lived at Norbury Park near Westhumble which you see later on this walk.
2
As you walk into the woods you will see a fingerpost pointing up to the left for the North Downs Way and the Juniper Top Trail marker. At the top the path bends to your right running parallel to the road through trees and bushes - holly, beech, box and yew. A gate on the path takes you into a pasture field with views towards Dorking and Leith Hill and another gate takes you back into woodland. At the marker for the North Downs Way, turn left to go up to to the road and then along the verge towards the white gate for Box Hill village by the Smith and Western restaurant.
3
Cross the road by the bus stop to join the bridleway heading into woodland. You’ll follow a broad path through woodland with lots of yew, holly an ivy. Keep straight along the path, ignoring paths to the right and left. As the path begins to descend you’ll come to a cross roads by a large yew tree. There’s a marker here showing the Juniper Top Trail to the right.
4
Turn right to follow the trail through holly and yew woodland. The path bends to the left and you go down a small slope. The wood opens up with hazel and small oak trees and you'll see the bluebells spreading out. Further along the path is a junction with a bridlepath going to the right. You carry straight on here past a marker saying ‘Walkers only’. Continue to follow the path until you reach a gate.
Box Hill Bluebells
The woodland becomes more open allowing in more sunshine. This is the magical place. Look about on the woodland floor on both sides of the track to see the bluebells pushing up through the undergrowth.
5
This gate takes you out onto the grassy plateau of Juniper Top with terrific views across the downs. There is a seat here to admire the views and have a breather. When you're ready, stroll down the hill through the grass to the bottom where you will come to two gates.
Three grand houses
As you survey the view from Juniper Top can you spot three grand houses? Going left to right: Norbury Park - a large white building high up once home to Leopold Salomons; Juniper Hall - a redbrick house with gables set in the valley once home to Thomas Broadwood of the piano family; Cherkley Court - a tall white building high on the ridge once home to Lord Beaverbrook, the newspaper magnate.
6
Go through the gate and turn immediately sharp left back up the track along Juniper Bottom (also know as Happy Valley). At this point you join the Happy Valley trail. You'll go through a gate and continue up the stony track. The path opens out to grass and you'll see the steep steps of the Box Hill Hike coming down on your right hand side. Continue to walk up the valley, and you’ll see a mix of trees and bushes on both sides - areas of holly, yew, juniper, and box and then more open areas of hazel, oak and beech.
Enjoy your stroll
This is a lovely valley that runs south, so it is in sunshine most of the time. Look at the trees and wildflowers on either side. You should spot old yew trees (reddish bark), juniper trees (grey bark) and box trees (small round leaves). Flowers to identify include white dog's mercury, blue violet (Napoleon's favourite flower) and also lords and ladies.
7
You’ll pass through a gate and continue to climb up the valley until you come to a cross roads at the top of the ridge. There is a marker showing the Juniper Top Trail to the right near a sign for car parks and cafe. Follow this path along the edge of the hill. Look out for some marvellous specimen beech trees. A path will join from the right and you bear to the left following the trail marker sign.
8
You’re now walking along a hardcore surface, part of the Natural Play Trail. You'll see the open space of Donkey Green, and you can go there for a picnic or you can continue along the path. You'll see the roof of the cafe through the trees and if you follow the path you'll come out near the shepherd’s hut. You've made it. Why not recharge your batteries and celebrate at the cafe?
End:
National Trust Visitor Centre at the top of Box Hill, grid ref: TQ178513
