Holmwood to Dorking

29 March. This is Sally’s walk, but ten people arrived at Holmwood station to discover that I was leading, as Sally had sprained a muscle (she is fine now). Nobody turned back to go home which was an auspicious sign for me. The walk had been passed on from Frank, but Sally has made some excellent alterations. The weather was fantastic: sunshine and Mediterranean blue skies, but with a fresh breeze to keep us comfortable.

We started off through field, paddocks and meadows, Brookewood, Minnickfold. The slope started gently but got more serious when we arrived in Gill woods, near Coldharbour.
We then did a very steep ascent which was rewarded by magnificent views over the Downs. We reached Leith Hill tower for our lunch stop. The lovely cafe has good cakes and tea / coffee in proper cups.

We had a picnic with view. And we were surrounded by other walking groups, much younger, and by horse riders.

We then descended to pick up the Greensand way, which was blissfully flat, through the woods and then meadows along a stream.

We arrived at Wotton Hatch which has a very convenient pub opposite the bus stop. We felt we all deserved refreshments . Three took the bus for Dorking, and the rest made our way past Wotton St John the  evangelist church, through Vale farm, Coombe copse.

We went on the other side of the railway line to go up again to take the Pilgrims’ way to go to Dorking station with more view of the Downs. We could see the tower in the distance (no photo though). We were quite chuffed with ourselves as we made these 11 miles (according to the OS app) it in good time. Thank you to Sue C for her efficient back marking and general help throughout the walk … and to Sally for the design of the route and couple of recces.
Christine M