The Polesden Lacey big walk
With a 1,400 acre estate dating back to Roman times, Polesden is rich in history and enjoys stunning views over the Surrey Hills.
An energetic family walk with beautiful views
This challenging walk takes you into the heart of Ranmore Common with fantastic views over Denbies Hillside that can be enjoyed at any time of year. See two working farms, ancient woodlands, historic farmsteads and rolling downland, all offering a diverse range of habitats for wildlife. So round up your family and friends, put your best foot forward and escape to Polesden.
Map
Start:
Polesden Lacey Theatre Lawn, grid ref: TQ136522
1
Starting on Theatre Lawn with the house behind you, walk down Bagden Drive (this was once the main entrance to the house in Mrs Grevilles day), passing the Long Walk on your right, and crossing over the Italianate Bridge.
2
Follow the path round to the right looking out for Coastal Redwood trees on your way then take the right hand fork down a slope before turning left on to the path at the bottom.
3
Continue following this path, reaching Tanners Hatch on your right. Take the left path opposite Tanners Hatch and continue straight along this path up into Ranmore Common until you come out opposite Ranmore Common Road.
Tanners Hatch
Tanners Hatch, now a youth hostel, stands at the foot of Ranmore Common, and was first recorded as Tanners in 1614. It stood near an old gateway onto Ranmore Common or South Wood as it was called then. Ranmore Common was added to the estate in 1959, when it was given to us by Lord Ashcombe. It is now the last remaining complete 500-acre ancient woodland estate in Surrey.
4
Turn right and follow the path running parallel to Ranmore Common Road. Turn right on to Yew Tree Lane once the carriage drive to the house in the 1820s - for about a mile (1.6km), passing Yew Tree Farm on your right.
Ranmore Common
The sunny glades of Ranmore Common, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), are rich in wildlife with an abundance of bird life, including buzzards and hobbies. Look out for other wildlife such as deadwood insects, butterflies, badgers and 12 out of the 16 native species of bats. In the spring, see the woodland floor covered in beautiful bluebells and look out for brimstone and orange tip butterflies.
5
Follow the path around to the right, downhill towards Polesden Farm and enjoy wonderful views of Polesden Lacey.
Polesden Lacey House
Polesden Lacey was once home to one of the most successful Edwardian hostesses, Mrs Greville. Look out for stunning views of Polesden nestled in the trees during your walk.
6
Just beyond Polesden Farm, go through the gate on the right and follow the path out alongside the farm. Stay on this path and look out for sheep and cattle which graze in these fields. Ha-Ha Field on your left is named after the ha-ha (a wide ditch that keeps livestock out of gardens without restricting the views) which runs along the Long Walk. Stay on this path which will lead you through a copse with a small pond.
Cows on the Polesden Lacey estate
The largest part of the estate, 600 acres, is taken up by two tenanted farms, Polesden Farm and Goldstone Farm. The fields and land are used to grow arable crops and graze livestock for dairy and meat production. Polesden Farm was built in the mid 19th century, but the old barn dates back as far as the late 18th century. Look out for cows and sheep grazing in fields across the estate including Ha-Ha Field.
7
At the end of the path, go through the gate on your left and up the steep hill. At the top of the hill, after turning to admire the views, turn left through the gate and continue along Bagden Drive until you finish your walk on Theatre Lawn with Polesden Lacey in front of you.
End:
Polesden Lacey Theatre Lawn, grid ref: TQ136522
