Surrey

Abinger Roughs rhododendron and bluebell walk

Enjoy this gentle walk through the woods of Abinger Roughs, taking in the impressive show of bluebells and rhododendrons as they come to life in spring and early summer.

Near to

Abinger Roughs and Netley Park

Start point

Abinger Roughs car park, grid ref: TQ110480

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 2.0 (km: 3.2)

Duration1 hour 30 mins

Dog friendly***

*Fairly flat, sandy terrain with well maintained but uneven paths. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs due to steep slopes, gates and muddy paths in wet weather.
***Well-controlled dogs welcome. For further details, please see Facilities section.

Address
National Trust car park, White Downs Lane, Abinger Hammer. Nearest postcode: RH5 6QS
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Gomshall, Dorking or Dorking Deepdene stations.
On foot
Just before Abinger Hammer, at The Crossways, head north and walk up White Down Lane (20 minute walk).
By bus
Arriva 22 or 32, alight at bottom of White Down Lane (opposite Rakes Lane), then a 20-minute walk up the lane.
Cycling
National Cycle Network Route 22 passes through Abinger Roughs.
See Sustrans for more info
By road
Head west from Dorking (A25) to Guildford. Just before Abinger Hammer, at The Crossways, head north up White Down Lane (opposite Raikes Lane) - the car park is on left.
Total stages: 9
Total stages: 9
Start point
Abinger Roughs car park, grid ref: TQ110480
Stage 1
From the car park take the path through the fence at the opposite end of the car park from the road. You'll walk through some open woodland with some beautiful beech trees – their leaves in spring are a wonderful fresh green colour. Continue to follow the main path through grass. Some 300 yards from the start you will see some wonderful old beech trees on your left-hand side. Just past here you will go down a small slope and meet a track crossing your path.
Stage 2
Following the sandy track you'll see the 200 year-old Scots and Corsican pine trees. We manage this area so that the best specimens grow strongest and tallest.
Stage 3
The Rhody Ramble sign points to the entrance into the rhododendron wood – a great place for hide and seek for younger visitors. These rhododendrons were planted in the 19th century by Thomas Farrer of Abinger Hall, and over time have become somewhat overgrown. From the Rhody Ramble sign, continue your walk along the main path so you can also see the bluebells. The path will come out into a wide open area.
The rhododendrons at Abinger Roughs are a sign of spring | © National Trust
Stage 4
You have reached the open glade. To your left, over the greensand ridge, rises the Hurtwood (an area of heath and forest). Continue to the edge of the glade and a junction of paths. Take the second fork to the left along an undulating path curving to the right and rising to a path signposted 'the Snowdrop Trail'. Follow the path downhill to a gate and then a bench where the path turns sharply right and, if you're lucky, you'll see the bluebells on either side of the path. You'll pass through a gate and, keeping parallel to the hedge on your left, you'll come to a T-junction by an open gate. Turn right here along the rough track and up the slope to the trees.
Stage 5
Turn right and go up the broad sandy path back to the edge of the wood, where there is a wonderful view of the North Downs. At the crossroads take the path marked by a Nature Trail marker, which goes down a slope with a fence on your left-hand side.
Stage 6
Continue to follow the signs for the Nature Trail along the 'Mayor's path'. See the rhododendrons which were planted years ago to form a wilderness garden by Thomas Farrer, who owned the Roughs in the late 19th century. Follow the path through the rhododedrons until you come out into a wider, more open area.
Stage 7
As you come out of the rhododendrons you will see great views up to the North downs on your left. In front of you is the second patch of bluebells. The path bends round to the right and you will come out to some holly bushes on the main path. Turn left here to descend down the path.
Stage 8
Keep to the left path as you go through the narrow 'neck' of Abinger Roughs. Keep on the path that runs parallel to the fence. To your left are the North downs. Continue along the path as it goes thorough the woodland, ignoring paths to the right. You will come out of the woods into a more open space.
Stage 9
In this open space there are some memorials to life here in the past. The old farm to your left is Leaser's Barn which has been used for lambing for centuries. The granite cross is the Wilberforce Memorial. Take a moment to stop and read the inscription. Then walk up the path running past the memorial and head back to the car park.
End point
Abinger Roughs car park, grid ref: TQ110480
Trail map
Map of the Abinger Roughs rhododendron and bluebell walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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A nuthatch sits amongst the thorny branches of a tree. A small bird with a peachy, orange belly, blue wing, head and back, and a black stripe across its eye and head.

Trail

Abinger Roughs nature walk

A 2-mile walk on Abinger Roughs that takes in some of the history – from the Stone Age to Charles Darwin – as well as the wildlife that currently calls the Roughs home.

View over the North Downs from Abinger Roughs and Netley Park, Surrey

Trail

Abinger Roughs to Gomshall walking circuit

Enjoy this 6.2-mile walk from Abinger Roughs to the pretty village of Gomshall, taking in woodland, farmland and open countryside, plus a village pub and tea-rooms for a recharge.