HILLY HIKE 17km Jane Austen's Box Hill, England's largest vineyard & North Downs
About the event
📏 Key Info: • Distance: 11 miles (17km) • Grading: [Intermediate](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/HikeGradings.pdf) • Ascent: 485m • Hiking time: 4 to 4.5 hours • Cost: £31 (includes guided hike + return train) • Refunds: Payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you follow our [[Resale Process](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/FAQ.pdf)] and your place is rebooked, we’ll issue a refund. • Toilet Breaks: On the train, at the mid-afternoon stop, and at the end pub
📍 Meeting Point • Location: Victoria station. Meet between WHSmith (no 34) and Nero Express (no 29) - [MAP](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/StationPhotos/Victoria.jpg) & [PHOTO](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/StationPhotos/VictoriaPhoto.jpg) • Time: Meet 8:05am, leave 8:25am for the 8:40am train • Return: 5:45pm arrival back in London (you’re committed until then)
🌟 Highlights • Hike through the Surrey Hills AONB (422 km²) — one of England’s most beautiful landscapes • Visit the famous Box Hill viewpoint with far-reaching views over Surrey and Sussex • Enjoy varied hiking across woodland, downs and the River Mole • Visit Denbies Wine Estate — England’s largest vineyard and award winner • Cross the iconic Stepping Stones on the River Mole • See the twisting Olympic cycle race roads (2012)
🥾 Hike Description For centuries, the beauty of Box Hill has inspired artists, writers and musicians. Jane Austen set a scene from Emma here, George Lambert painted it in 1733 (now in Tate Britain), and it has even featured in modern songs. The poet Keats and G.K. Chesterton also drew inspiration from these hills, showing how this corner of Surrey has long captured creative imaginations.
Our hike begins in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with woodland and rolling trails through Norbury Park before joining the twisting roads used in the 2012 Olympic cycling race. From here, we climb to the summit of Box Hill, where the Salomons Memorial viewpoint offers sweeping panoramas across the Weald and as far as Devil’s Dyke by the South Coast. On the way we also encounter traces of history, including a late 19th-century fort built to defend against French invasion and the semi-ruined folly tower from 1815.
After soaking up the views, we descend to the River Mole and cross its famous Stepping Stones, a much-loved landmark of the area. The trail then continues through open chalk downland and woodland before reaching Denbies Wine Estate, the largest vineyard in England, winner of international awards including Best Rosé in the World at the 2010 International Wine Challenge.
A wonderfully varied hike that blends chalk downs, riverside beauty, iconic views and layers of history — all within easy reach of London.
🧭 Guide: • Leader: [GRAHAM](https://www.outdooraholics.co.uk/MeetTheOutdooraholics.pdf) • Contact (hike day only): 07796 098487
🍽️ Food: • Bring a packed lunch • Pub visit after the hike (drinks optional)
🎒What to Bring • Hiking boots/shoes • Water (2 litres minimum) • Packed lunch • Waterproofs (jacket and trousers) • Hat and gloves if cold • Train tickets are arranged – just meet us at the meeting point
⚠️ Safety Your guide is a trained hike leader and Outdoor Activity First Aider
❓ Want to Know More? • [New to Our Trips?](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/new_to_our_day_hikes.pdf) (perfect for first-timers, answers “what to expect”) • [About Us](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/about_us.pdf) (who Outdooraholics are, credibility, history) • [FAQs](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/FAQ.pdf) (covers common queries)
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