Headley Heath circuit

Surrey

A bench with the inscription 'Friends of Headley Heath' under a Silver Birch tree — A 'Friends of Headley Heath' beach under a Silver Birch tree | © National Trust Images/Gary Cosham

Enjoy stunning views and rich, varied and rare wildlife on a circular walk over open heathland, woodland and chalk downland designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Near to

Headley Heath

Start point

Headley Heath main car park, grid ref: TQ193546

Livestock

Please keep dogs on a lead and under close control around livestock.

Address
Headley Heath, Surrey, KT18 6NN
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Box Hill and Westhumble station, 3 miles (4.8km).
On foot
From North Downs Way at Box Hill, follow footpaths to Headley Heath (5 hour circular walk from Box Hill), see OS map Explorer 146.
By bus
Metrobus 21 Crawley-Epsom. (Monday - Friday only).
By road
Exit M25 at J9 (Leatherhead) and take A24 south (Leatherhead bypass road) towards Dorking. Then B2033 (Headley Common Road) to Headley Village.
Total stages: 6
Total stages: 6
Start point
Headley Heath main car park, grid ref: TQ193546
Stage 1
Starting at the noticeboard, walk south along the back of the car park and leave by the gate nearest the road. Outside the gate, take the right-hand fork and walk past two ponds – first one is called Hopeful and the second (larger) Brimmer. The track goes through woodlands of mainly silver birch but there are some oaks too. Some clearance has been carried out to allow views to the right over the heath.
Stage 2
After passing Brimmer Pond, ignore the first three tracks coming in from the right, but at the first cross tracks turn right. The path falls slightly to the next junction where you take the track to the left. The track continues through woodlands and goes downhill. At the bottom of the dip take the left-hand fork and keep to that track, ignoring the tracks that cross it.
Stage 3
Follow the track as it swings left and drops sharply and then, as it rises, forks. Take the right-hand fork and note the Box Hill Hike sign pointing left. After the fork the track swings right and continues almost level through open woodland for about 770yd (700m), when it starts to drop. At this point there is a gate on your left about 22yd (20m) to the side. Go through this gate and then turn right onto the hard-surfaced road. This road is through Bellasis and High Ashurst.
Stage 4
Continue along this road past the High Ashurst Education Centre and towards the Coach House until you reach the gates, where the bridleway swings right and goes downhill. Take the track and do not go through the gates. Shortly after this the track forks – take the right fork through the bridleway gate and down the hill. Take care on this very steep and rough section. At the bottom of the hill, on reaching the main track, turn left. Just after the Box Hill Hike goes right, turn left onto the steps up the steep hill. As you go up the steps there is a fine view over Headley Heath to your right. At the top of the steps there is a seat to the left to allow you to recover. From there, take the path that swings right then immediately take the left fork downhill towards the open area. There are woodlands to your left and an open area to your right – the track follows the fence line and rises and falls. In the second dip take the left fork, staying close to the fence line. After leaving the fence line the track rises, comes out into the open and then swings right – ignore the small path going straight on.
Stage 5
Shortly after this there is a cross track – go left following the blue bridleway signs and you soon come to the gate off Headley Heath. Continue on the track past a cottage and a farm on your left and you will reach the road. Cross the road into Tumber Street but take the path immediately on your right (half hidden) up through the woods. At the other end of the woods you reach a house called Tunbarr – turn right (take care, you are near the road here) and after 22yd (20m) turn left up a public footpath just before Ash House.
Stage 6
Continue along this footpath for about 550yd (500m) and come out opposite the pub, the Headley Hills. Leave the pub by going up the short lane to the church, take the footpath through the churchyard and turn right as you come out into the fields at the rear. (If you carry straight on, you can walk to either Walton on the Hill or the Epsom Racecourse.) Your track is a straight line along a lane, through a field, across a lane, along a lane, through three fields (passing the Old Rectory), until the track reaches a 'T'. Turn right past a little cottage and then you reach the road. In front of you is the Old Manor House. On reaching the road, turn left and take the right fork, which is a small path between the road and the main track. This path leads to the road to the cricket club – follow this, go behind the club house, swing right and you will see the car park on the other side of the road.
End point
Headley Heath main car park, grid ref: TQ193546
Trail map
Map route for Headley Heath circuit walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
You made it
Share your experience

More near here

A hilltop stroll at Box Hill

Take in some of Surrey's finest views and marvel at the hidden history of Box Hill on this gentle circular walk around the hilltop.

Visitor walking with his dogs at Box Hill, Surrey

Headley Heath military history trail

Take this circular walk over the heath to discover Headley Heath's military past and how it has shaped the landscape today. Follow the white-top posts and black arrows, and look out for the QR codes which you can scan to hear more about the heath's role in the Second World War. The walk is relatively flat but will cover some uneven ground.

Headley Heath butterfly walk

Follow this 2-mile circular walk through Headley Heath and see how many butterflies you can spot along the way.

Close-up of a Brown Argus butterfly on a leaf

Headley Heath Lizard Trail

Explore the rich array of flowers, birds, insects and animals that inhabit Headley Heath's rare environment of acid lowland heath and chalk downland on this circular trail.