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Hydon's Ball and Heath
Memorial to Octavia Hill overlooking the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Salt Lane, Godalming, Surrey, GU8 4BB
Car park
Hydon's car park: OS SU97904020
Dogs
Well-controlled dogs are welcome.
Parking. Some uneven paths. Paths can become muddy. No toilets.
Steps/uneven terrain
By road
Take B2130 (Brighton Road) from Godalming and head south; at Busbridge turn right onto the Hambledon Road and then right down Clock Barn Lane and onto Salt Lane
On foot
Walk from the Hydestile crossroad and down Salt Lane. See Ordnance Survey map Explorer 145 or Landranger 186
By train
Godalming station, then Stagecoach 503 bus
By bus
Stagecoach 503, Hambledon-Guildford (restricted service), alight at Hydstile crossroads and walk down Salt Lane. Visit Surrey County Council for further information
By bicycle
Take B2130 (Brighton Road) from Godalming and head south; at Busbridge turn right onto the Hambledon Road and then right down Clock Barn Lane and onto Salt Lane. View local cycle routes on the Sustrans website
Highlights
Heathland and woodland
One of the National Trust’s earliest acquisitions and a memorial to Octavia Hill, overlooking the Surrey Hills AONB.
Things to see and do
Article
Things to see and do at Hydon’s Ball and Heath
Discover Hydon’s Ball and Heath in the Surrey Hills and its range of pursuits including walking, foraging and bird spotting.
Top trails
Trail
Octavia Hill walk around Hydon's Ball and Heath
A short exhilarating circular walk from Hydon’s Ball and Heath, a National Trust site in the Surrey Hills AONB.
Places to stay
Emley Farmhouse
A charming country retreat on the edges of the South Downs.
About Hydon's Ball and Heath
Hydon's Ball is one of our earliest acquisitions and is a memorial to one of our co-founders, Octavia Hill, who died in 1912. It’s one of the highest points in Surrey and the steep, wooded, south-facing slope commands magnificent views across the surrounding countryside towards the Sussex border.
Enjoy lovely walks across the peaceful heath and woodland, which is a wonderful mix of many trees including oaks and chestnuts, with a surprise of non-native shrubs planted by the British garden designer, writer, and artist, Gertrude Jekyll.
Hydon's Ball and Heath is also a haven for wildlife - Nightingales can be heard in the spring and siskin and brambling visit the common in winter.