The Basics
As always, we bring you the basics at the start of this article to allow you a brief overall insight to the Box Hill walks. For more details, please read on…
Length: various
Route: Linear & Circular
Difficulty: Easy – Challenging
Starting Point: National Trust Visitor Centre at Box Hill
Parking: Yes
Costs: Car Parking
Top Sights: Box Hill, Mickleham village, Stepping Stones
Snack Stops: Yes
More Useful Info
- Where to Stay When Walking in the South East
- Ultimate Guide to Hiking the Seven Sisters
- Top 5 Walks in the South Downs
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Why Enjoy a Box Hill Walk?
Part of the marvellous North Downs, Box Hill is a special site which gives glorious elevated views across Surrey.
Easy to access from London, it makes for a great day out from the capital and with parking, a café, a second hand box store, as well as regular events, there’s always a lot to do here!
Aside from that, the numerous self-guided walks and famous cycle trails around Box Hill are a great way to take in the beautiful rolling countryside, which changes colour with the seasons and always offers something different.
Numerous species of flora and fauna can be spotted too, especially if you enjoy some of the longer walks which pass through woodland and open meadows.
How Long are the Box Hill Walks?
There are 7 popular walks on and around Box Hill.
All are self-guided and well-signed on wooden posts, making them easy to follow.
Managed by the National Trust, in general the paths here are well-maintained, which makes it very possible to enjoy this trail without a map and having to keep looking at your phone.
That said, talking a downloaded digital MapsMe or AllTrails route with you is always a good idea!
However, as many involve ascents, it’s definitely worth pointing there’s some steep sections, which aren’t suitable for those with mobility issues or small children.
For people for are wheelchairs users or might have kids in pushchairs, then it’s good to know the National Trust have constructed an easy access short path to a lookout over the Box Hill famous view – this is a key way that all can enjoy the scenery.
These 7 walks can all be completed as part of a day trip to Box Hill, although for those of you who are really keen the multi-day North Downs Way also passes through Box Hill.
The top 7 Box Hill walks are:
#1 Stepping Stones & River Mole Walk
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 4km
Time: 1.5hrs
Selling Point: Good for Kids
#2 Happy Valley Circular
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 2km
Time: 1hrs
Selling Point: Variety of Scenery
#3 Juniper Top Circular Walk
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6km
Time: 2hrs
Selling Point: Top Views
#4 Whitehall and Mickleham
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6km
Time: 2hrs
Selling Point: Quiet
#5 Butterfly Walk
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6km
Time: 2.5hrs
Selling Point: Wildlife & Woodland
#6 Box Hill Hike
Difficulty: Challenging
Distance: 12km
Time: 3.5hrs
Selling Point: The Bucket List One!
#7 Hill Top Walk
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1km
Time: 0.5hrs
Selling Point: No slopes or hills!
Where Do the Walks Start and End?
Most of the walks start at the National Trust Visitor Centre, which is right by the car park is you are driving, or at the top of the hill if you’re getting a bus or train here.
Many of the walks also end here at the Stepping Stones which are at the bottom of the Hill, just off the A24.
Costs
Aside from car parking and any money you might spend on food or drinks along the way, all the Box Hill walks are free – there’s no entrance fee to the site.
Things to See and Do on Box Hill Walks
The view from Box Hill across the Surrey Hills – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is the main sight here.
You can access the view easily from the National trust visitor centre – it’s a 5 minute flat walk.
The NT also organises regular family-friendly events and talks about the area’s flora and fauna and the Discovery Centre here which is great for kids.
In addition to the numerous self-guided walks in the area, cycling is also very popular at Box Hill and the Stepping Stones, which sit in a flowing stream are great for kids especially.
The village of Mickleham at the bottom of Box Hill has a lovely picturesque church, which many of the top walks here take in.
Finally, it’s the nature of this protected area – including its array of butterflies and birds that are well worth coming to see.
Food and Drink Stops
The National Trust centre on Box Hill has a café and public toilets, plus a water bottle refilling station.
Otherwise The Stepping Stones pub near Boxhill and Westhumble station just a mean Sunday roast – we know!
The Tree on Box Hill in the village of Box Hill and The Running Horses in the village of Mickleham are also great pubs.
Plus the Destination Bike Café and Ryka’s Café are popular stops for cyclists and alkers to grab a coffee!
Possible Dangers
Beware the Stepping Stones can be difficult for dogs, young and elderly people to cross.
Please watch your step, especially in windy and wet conditions, as the trails around Box Hill can get muddy and often have steep and slippery inclines.
How to Get to Box Hill
By Train
Regular trains arrive at Boxhill & Westhumble, with the most popular route being from London Waterloo and London Victoria – these services take around 45 minutes.
Once at the station is a 1.5 mile walk to the main road, under a footpath and then up Box Hill to reach the National Trust visitor centre.
In order to get the best prices, I always recommend booking your train tickets at least a few days in advance, preferably a bit more, and using the excellent website Trainline.
By Bus
Otherwise, you can get also get a bus to Boxhill from London.
The number 465 is red London bus that runs from Cromwell Bus Satation Kingston to Dorking and stops at the bottom of Box Hill at a stop called Zig Zag Road.
From here it’s a 1.5 mile walk up the hill to the Box Hill summit and national Trust visitor centre.
By Car
Alternatively, you can easily drive to Box Hill too, via the A24, which takes around under an hour from London.
Type the following address into Google Maps to reach the Box Hill Visitor Centre: The Old Fort, Box Hill Road, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 7LB.
Here’s you’ll find National Trust parking which is free to members or can be paid using the PayByPhone app – download it before you get to Box Hill as there’s very patchy signal in the car parks.
Do beware that car parking space is limited and gets very busy at weekends and during school holidays, so it’s best to arrive early.
More parking is available at the bottom of Box Hill by The Stepping Stones.
If you’re looking to rent a vehicle in the UK, I recommend Thrifty Car Hire as they offer some great rates and are highly reputable.
Recommended Gear for Box Hill Walks
- Windproof & waterproof jacket
- Good hiking boots
- Sunglasses
- Hiking trousers / leggings
- Sun or warm hat – depending on the season!
- Camera
- Day pack to carry water, snacks and camera!
Where to Stay near Box Hill
- Denbies Vineyard Hotel
- Castle Mill Bed and Breakfast
- Running Horses Country Inn
More Walking Ideas Close to Box Hill
- Chilworth Heritage Trail
- Leith Hill Greenway
- Haslemere to Witley