Category: Walking

The Surrey Hills National Landscape has just got easier to escape to, thanks to the expanded Surrey connect on-demand bus service, which links Dorking railway station to Leith Hill Place. As we approach Community Rail week from 19 May in the backdrop of the railway’s 200^th anniversary in Britain, this is the perfect opportunity to discover the great outdoors by rail and bus.

When arriving by train at Dorking Deepdene or Dorking Main, just 30 minutes from central London, you can use Surrey County Council’s Surrey connect service to explore the breathtaking heritage sites of the Surrey Hills, including the National Trust’s Leith Hill Place. Leith Hill Place holds a rich history linked to Charles Darwin, Caroline Wedgewood, and the great composer Ralph Vaughan Williams” to add in “the great composers Ralph Vaughan Williams and Hans Zimmer. It now hosts exhibitions to celebrate the power of nature, and a fantastic programme of events.

But that’s not all – to commemorate this win for sustainable travel and nature exploration, a stunning new railway poster was unveiled, created by artist Diana Croft in collaboration with the Community Rail Partnership. The poster showcases the beauty of Surrey Hills, encouraging travellers to take the scenic railway route and discover all that this natural wonderland has to offer.

Rob Fairbanks, Director of the Surrey Hills National Landscape said.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the National Trust, railway service providers, and Surrey County Council to connect our National Landscape by rail. Public transport is an essential gateway to the countryside, and by enhancing these services, we can foster a deeper appreciation for nature while combating climate change. We’re grateful to the Community Rail Partnership for making projects like this possible, turning rail journeys into immersive experiences. Additionally, we’ve collaborated to improve easier access across the landscape, including at locations like Leith Hill Place, where funding from our Access for All fund has helped improve access to the viewpoint and parking.”

Catherine McCusker, Visitor Operations and Experiences Manager, National Trust Surrey Hills East said.

“The best thing about Leith Hill Place is its magnificent location; its surrounding countryside, walks and breathtaking views.  It is the best place to take a moment and feel inspiration filling your soul.  The biggest problem though, is that it is hard to get to without a car.   This campaign is like an answer to prayer: – rail to e-bus to Leith Hill Place = hallelulah! Environmentally and in terms of reaching more of the nation, for whom this place was gifted, this is superb”

Matt Furniss, Cabinet Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Growth at Surrey County Council said

“I’m delighted we have again expanded our popular Surrey Connect service which will enable visitors to Leith Hill Place and to the countryside travel sustainably, and at a time convenient to them. Our service is already running in many areas across Surrey where traditional bus services are limited, and adding this additional stop will improve accessibility and reduce the number of cars travelling to one of Surrey’s most popular green spaces”.

For those who prefer to have all their adventure details at their fingertips, the Rail to Ramble routes are now available in a handy new walk guide. Pick one up at local tourist information centres and railway stations, and you’ll be ready to hit the trails, whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned explorer.

Booking your ride is a breeze! Visit surreyconnect.org.uk and choose the ‘Central South’ territory, then select Dorking Deepdene (entrance 2) or Dorking Main Station (stop 2) to Leith Hill Place. Book your bus from 7 days to 30 minutes in advance of travel (Mon-Sat). The National Trust’s Leith Hill Place is open every weekend and bank holiday April – October.

Book your ride here – Book a ride | Surrey Connect

Find walks by rail in the Surrey Hills – Rail to Ramble routes – Surrey Hills National Landscape

A campaign has been launched to encourage visitors to the Surrey Hills National Landscape to travel by rail. The ambition of Rail to Ramble is to create walking routes which give users the very best countryside experiences whilst leaving the car at home. This creates a greener and more accessible National Landscape for all visitors looking for connections to nature.

With thanks to funding from Great Western Railway’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund, the Southeast Communities Rail Partnership and Surrey Hills National Landscape commissioned local artist Diana Croft to create railway posters which champion sustainable travel along the North Downs Line. This railway line connecting Reading to London Gatwick Airport offers a beautiful train ride through the rolling Surrey Hills, with views of the chalk North Downs hillside, St Martha’s Hill and characterful towns and villages such as Shalford, Chilworth and Gomshall.

Following the poster launch, attendees experienced a delightful short walk to the nearby Gunpowder Mills, a cherished heritage site along the Shalford to Chilworth Rail to Ramble route. The event culminated at the charming Percy Arms, further underscoring the region’s rich local business offerings.

Eleanor Wills, GWR Regional Development Manager (East), said:

“The Customer and Community Improvement Fund is a fantastic opportunity for us to invest in projects that really make a difference to our customers and communities at a local level. These 

posters provide a perfect guide to the wealth of amazing walking routes within easy reach of the North Downs Line.”

Katie Stewart, Executive Director for Environment, Infrastructure and Growth at Surrey County Council said:

“Surrey County Council celebrates the recognition of the pivotal role that sustainable travel has in preserving the landscape of the Surrey Hills. This project demonstrates the importance of working together to ensure that visitors by train have a warm welcome on viewing the beautiful new posters and then can enjoy a great experience visiting the outstanding countryside and supporting our local businesses on the well maintained and waymarked trails.”