Holmwood Common family activity trail
Get close to nature by following this gentle trail around Holmwood Common. With its mix of dappled woodland and sunny clearings this is a wildlife playground stretching over 650 acres. It's also a great place to tick some activities off your list of ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’. The signposted trail is easy to follow and the hard core path means you can enjoy it at any time of year.
Near to
Holmwood CommonStart point
Blackbrook Road National Trust car park, grid ref: TQ183454Trail information
*Trail along a hard, sealed path through woodland. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**All-weather hard core path that's accessible all year round. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs welcome under close control. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.
No toilets at Holmwood Common
Please be aware that there are no toilet facilities at Holmwood Common.
Total stages: 16
Total stages: 16
Start point
Blackbrook Road National Trust car park, grid ref: TQ183454
Stage 1
From the information board in the car park, take the path to the right around the pond. You will come to a T-junction with a signpost – follow it for the circular trail, which heads to the right and through the woods.
Stage 2
The path will come out of the woods at a clearing and you'll see another T-junction. Take the path to the left, signposted 'Viewpoint and Mill Road car park'. This leads to Mill Bottom Lane.
Stage 3
Carry on along the track and turn right at the T-junction, following the path signposted 'Viewpoint'. Follow this path through to the row of cottages. Go up the rise to the left and follow the path by the signpost.
Stage 4
The path will take you to an open space facing south. This is a real sun trap and makes a great place to stop for a picnic.
A comma butterfly feeding on blackberries | © National Trust Images/Hilary Daniel Stage 5
At the end of the grassy opening the path turns a sharp right through woodland. Keep straight ahead crossing the bridle path, marked with blue posts.
Stage 6
Keep on the path and you will see another open space on your left – this is the old football pitch.
Stage 7
Follow the track further on through some woodland. Head slightly to your right and you will come to the viewpoint. At 360 feet (110 metres) above sea-level, this is one of the highest points on the common. Admire the views over to Ranmore Common. Can you spot Cubitt's finger – the spire of St Barnabas's church?
Stage 8
When you're ready, return to the circular path signposted 'North Holmwood' and descend the hill towards the A24 at Mid Holmwood.
Stage 9
Turn right along the path signposted 'North Holmwood and Inholms car park'.
Stage 10
At the T-junction turn left, signposted 'North Holmwood'.
Stage 11
Cross over the Black Brook stream and continue along the path until you come to Mid Holmwood Lane at a T-junction. This is a tarmac-surfaced track. Turn right here and follow the track.
Stage 12
You will come to the footbridge and ford over the Black Brook. The footbridge was rebuilt so that it's now strong enough to carry a horse. This was one of the main routes over the common in days gone by.
Footbridge over a small stream at Holmwood Common | © National Trust Images/Gary Coshan Stage 13
Over the stream you continue along the path up and to the left. Continue to climb up the hill through the woodland.
Stage 14
At the crossroads carry straight over on the circular trail signposted Fourwents Pond. Halfway along this track are the two Little Ponds either side of the track. There are about 30 ponds on the common. Some were created for watering livestock and some for brick-making.
Stage 15
Continue along the circular trail. You will cross another bridle path and come to a junction you should recognise. Turn left here down the path to Fourwents Pond, named after the crossroads nearby.
Stage 16
Congratulations, you have completed the trail. Why not celebrate your success with a picnic at the tables in the King's Meadow? There's also a special dogs' pond so your four-legged companions can celebrate with a good splash too.
End point
Blackbrook Road National Trust car park, grid ref: TQ183454
Trail map
Map of the Holmwood Common family activity trail | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
More near here
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Enjoy some impressive views of the South Downs and the London skyline on this invigorating circular walk through woodland on Leith Hill
Get in touch
Blackbrook Road, Holmwood, Surrey, RH5 4NX
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