Denbies Hillside
Dramatic and stunning chalk escarpment with panoramic views
Denbies Hillside
Facilities and access
Denbies Hillside
Overview
Dramatic and stunning chalk escarpment with panoramic views
With views towards Leith Hill, the highest point in south east England, Denbies Hillside is a great spot for wildlife-watching.
Named after John Denby, a 17th-century farmer, the hillside is home to a great variety of plants and animals, including adonis blue and chalkhill blue butterflies.
The chalk downland at White Down offers yet more spectacular views. It also hides several Second World War pill boxes, built to defend against a Nazi invasion.
To the west of Denbies Hillside is Hackhurst Downs, where you can savour the vista looking towards the Tillingbourne Valley.
- Telephone
- +441306887485
- northdownswest@nationaltrust.org.uk
Denbies Hillside
How to get here
- Address
- Ranmore Common Road, near Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6SR
- By cycle
- Join the Surrey Cycleway at Westhumble railway station, near Dorking, to Ranmore Common. A free map is available from Surrey County Council, telephone 08456 009009. Visit www.sustrans.org.uk for more info. Surrey Hills North Cycle Route passes through part of Ranmore Common.
- On foot
- All the Denbies Hillside sites can be accessed from nearby towns and villages. Ranmore Common is opposite Denbies Hillside, on the northern side of the Ranmore Common Road, and White Down and Hackhurst Downs are west of Denbies Hillside. For Denbies Hillside, join the footpath north of St Martin's School (near Dorking West railway station) and continue 1/12 miles along a narrow, steep track (The Carriage Road) to Denbies Hillside. From Westcott Village it is a 35 minute walk to Denbies Hillside. Take footpaths north, near the Post Office, or follow Bailey Road up the hill. For Ranmore Common, pick up a map from the National Trust's Polesden Lacey and take the 1/12 mile cross country walk, via footpaths, to Ranmore Common and then onto Denbies Hillside. You can also join the Greensand Way, a long-distance path, on the eastern side of Westcott village and head north
- By train
- Dorking West station, Guildford to Redhill service. 1/12 miles from Denbies Hillside. Dorking Town station, from London Victoria or Waterloo stations. Limited disabled access. Buses and taxis available outside station. Dorking Deepdene station. No disabled access
- By road
- Exit M25 at J9 (Leatherhead) and take the A24 south towards Dorking. Turn west at the traffic lights, near Dorking railway station, along the A2003 Ashcombe Road. At the mini roundabout continue ahead and then turn right up onto Ranmore Common Road. Carry on up the hill until the road levels out. The National Trust car park will be on your left
- By bus
- Carlone 533, Ewhurst to Ranmore, via Dorking railway station (bus stop A on London Road). Tuesday only (one bus per day). Alight Ranmore Common. Arriva 21 and 22, Dorking to Guildford, daily except Sundays and public holidays. Alight Westcott village. Arriva 32, Redhill to Guildford, daily except Sundays and public holidays. Alight Westcott village.
Denbies Hillside
Prices
Admission free
What is Gift Aid?
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points. Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
- Gift Aid Admission or
- Standard admission
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you the Gift Aid Admission prices. But it's entirely up to you which ticket you choose. If you want the Standard Admission instead, just let us know when you come to pay.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid* — an extra 25 per cent — potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below: Payment of the additional percentage donation is entirely voluntary, so if you prefer to pay the standard admission please advise our reception staff at the till point.
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid donations must be supported by a valid Gift Aid declaration and a Gift Aid declaration can only cover donations made by an individual for him/herself or for him/herself and members of his/her family.
Denbies Hillside
Opening times
Sunday 20 August
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Monday 21 August
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Tuesday 22 August
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Wednesday 23 August
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Thursday 24 August
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Friday 25 August
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Saturday 26 August
- Countryside Dawn to dusk