Visiting Leith Hill Tower

Leith Hill Tower, an 18th-century Gothic folly, built of stone with battlements, at Leith Hill, Surrey — Leith Hill Tower, an 18th-century Gothic folly, at Leith Hill, Surrey | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Climb the 78 spiral steps to the top of Leith Hill Tower and take in the views from the highest point in south-east England. Use the telescopes to look for famous landmarks – on a clear day you’ll be amazed how far you can see. The Tower is open 11am-3pm, every weekend on Bank Holidays and daily throughout the school holidays.

The highest point

The top of Leith Hill Tower marks the highest point in south-east England at 1,029ft (313m). There are sweeping views from the top and on a clear day you can see the English Channel to the south and the clock face of Big Ben in Westminster to the north.

Exhibition room

Halfway up the tower is an exhibition room with fascinating tales about the tower and the man who built it.

A personal project

The tower was built in 1765 by Richard Hull from Leith Hill Place as 'a place for people to enjoy the glory of the English countryside'. Richard loved the tower so much he wanted to be buried underneath it.

A leaf-littered sunken track with banks on both sides in woodland at Leigh Hill, Surrey — Autumn woodland at Leigh Hill, Surrey | © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler

Mosses Wood at Leith Hill

The walk up the hill towards the tower passes Mosses Wood. Measuring 69 acres, the wood is home to some spectacular specimen trees which make up part of an arboretum. Many of the trees are pines, the oldest of which were planted in the mid-1800s by local resident Alexander Hargreaves Brown. Take some time to explore this peaceful spot on your walk to the tower.

Mosses Wood was donated to the National Trust by Lady Edith Ivy Pigott-Brown in memory of her son, Captain Sir John Pigott-Brown, who was killed in action in Tunisia on Christmas Day 1942. This was the second tragedy to strike Lady Edith; her husband Captain Hagreaves Brown was killed during the First World War.

Parking and access

Please park at Starveall Corner car park (RH5 6LX), which is managed by Surrey County Council. From there it's a 10-15 minute walk uphill over rough and muddy ground to the tower. Once at the top you may be asked to wait before climbing the tower, but the views across the South Downs make it worthwhile.