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Surrey

Octavia Hill walk around Hydon's Ball and Heath

Easy to find signs, depicting Octavia Hill, mark out the trail
The start of the Octavia Hill walk at Hydon's Ball and Heath | © National Trust

This short and relaxing circular walk winds through cool shady woodland and across open heathland. The sandy soil makes it a perfect walk for families in all seasons. Hydon's Ball is within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is a memorial to one of our co-founders, Octavia Hill, who died in 1912.

Start point

Hydon's Ball and Heath car park OS map reference SU979402

Trail information

Difficulty*

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1.5 (km: 2.4)
Duration1 hour
Dog friendly**
  1. *Moderate terrain with some steep slopes. For further details, please see Terrain section.

  2. **Dogs are welcome. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

  • Total stages: 8

    Total stages: 8

    Start point

    Hydon's Ball and Heath car park OS map reference SU979402

    Stage 1

    From the car park, near the notice board, follow the Octavia Hill sign down a narrow wooded path.

    Stage 2

    Continue walking through the woods lined with pine and sweet chestnut trees.

    Stage 3

    Wander along the path and enjoy the peace and quiet of the woods. Listen out for the creatures that live here.

    Stage 4

    The trees begin to thin out and on your left there're open fields. Turn right and begin climbing up the hill (fairly steep).

    Stage 5

    You've reached the top, one of the highest points in Surrey, and can now enjoy the wonderful views looking south towards Black Down and the South Downs (this is about 20mins walk from the start of the trail).

    Stage 6

    At the top too is a stone seat memorial to one of our co-founders, Octavia Hill, who died in 1912.

    Stage 7

    Following the waymarkers and head downhill until you reach the Robertson Memorial.

    Stage 8

    Continue down the marked path, along the fence (uneven path), and then turn right back through the woods and onto the car park.

    End point

    Hydon's Ball and Heath car park OS map reference SU979402

    Trail map

    Map of Hydon's Ball and Heath Octavia Hill trail
    Map of Hydon's Ball and Heath Octavia Hill trail | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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Salt Lane, Godalming, Surrey, GU8 4BB

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