Surrey

Box Hill riverside walk

Following a pretty stretch of the River Mole, this circular walk will give you the chance to spot dragonflies, wagtails and the electric blue of a darting kingfisher. Stop a while to take in the Second World War concrete structures that stand sentinel along the water's edge.

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Total steps: 8

Start point

Salomons Memorial Viewpoint. Grid ref: TQ 17973 51167

Step 1

Starting at the Salomons Memorial Viewpoint, which looks out over Surrey and Sussex, walk down the steps and follow the path to the right. Look out for the left turn that'll take you diagonally down the hill below the viewpoint.

Step 2

When you reach the tarmac road, turn right and walk along it. The fields on either side of you are part of Box Hill Farm.

Step 3

Continue along the road until it runs out (ignore any turnings along the way). You'll see a gate on your right – go through this. To your left, you'll see the River Mole, which you'll walk along for the next mile (1.6km).

Step 4

The slopes of Box Hill to your right are often grazed by belted Galloway cattle for the conservation of rare flowers and insects. Soon, you'll come across Pixham Weir and Mill. Until the early 20th century, the River Mole turned several waterwheels here, principally for corn grinding and fulling (a term used to describe the cleaning of cloth, particularly wool).

Pixham Mill

Dating from 1837, Pixham Mill is three storeys high. Its machinery was powered by a 13ft-diameter overshot wheel, which was turned by falling water hitting paddles near the top. The water made the contact edge heavier than the other 'empty' side, thus turning the wheel. The mill was owned by J & W Attlee from 1882 until 1910. By 1937, the mill machinery had been removed. The company Moss Bros used the building as a warehouse during the Second World War. It is now a private house.

Step 5

The path will take you under the Pixham Viaduct, which was built in the Victorian era. Continue and after a short while you'll come to an unusual collection of 12 anti-tank cylinders perched at the water's edge. Built in 1940, they were part of a wider anti-invasion scheme.

Anti-tank cylinders

These formed part of the GHQ (General Head Quarters) Line 'B' anti-tank barrier. GHQ Line 'B' ran along the southern slopes of the North Downs in an area known as the Dorking Gap. Its purpose was to create a link of road blocks, tank traps and anti-tank barriers to protect London and ultimately the industrial heartland of England should an invasion occur. Pill boxes and anti-tank structures were positioned at crucial viewpoints, and on road or river crossings. The River Mole itself would also have formed a suitable obstacle to an invading force.

Step 6

The pathway will now take you away from the banks of the river and up into woodland. Just before you start your climb, look through the trees to see a Second World War Type 24 Infantry shell-proof pill box. Covering the east bank of the River Mole and the lower western slopes of Box Hill, this would've been defended by infantry with Bren guns.

Wetland habitats

In early 2017, we dug a large area of earth with the express purpose of creating a wetland wildlife haven close to the River Mole. It's hoped that the water table and flood water will fill it for periods of time, allowing a temporary habitat for amphibians such as frogs, toads and newts. In time, rushes, reeds and sedges will self-seed and create safe nesting and feeding grounds for birds such as ducks, geese and waders. Cattle will be able to access the pond for drinking, and in turn will limit the growth of fast-growing vegetation such as willow around the edges of the pool.

Step 7

A set of steps will take you uphill through woodland that includes yew, beech and oak trees.

Step 8

At the top of the steps, turn left. Continue along the path through the woods, and take the first right-hand turn to return to the visitor centre.

End point

Box Hill visitor centre. Grid ref: TQ 17818 51327

Trail map

Map of Box Hill riverside walk.jpg | © Crown copyright and database rights 2017 Ordnance Survey

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The Old Fort, Box Hill Road, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 7LB

01306885502

boxhill@nationaltrust.org.uk

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