Box Hill Tourist Information

Box Hill overlooks the Mole Gap where the River Mole breaks through the line of the North Downs, and gives its name to a scattered village high on the Downs. It is the scene of the famous picnic in Jane Austen's "Emma", where Emma is so rude to Miss Bates and is told off by Mr Knightley.

Box Hill has long been a popular picnic spot as one of the finest areas of woodland and chalk downland so close to London. The top is accessible by road, and has a National Trust car park, information centre and refreshment kiosk. Walkers prefer to reach the summit under their own power, starting from Burford Bridge or Westhumble. There is a viewpoint at the top with excellent views towards the South Downs, and behind it an open area called Donkey Green that is popular with families.

The hill has three major ridges running North-West with deep valleys between them: Juniper Top, Lodge Hill and The Whites. These all have fine views over the Mickleham Downs and Denbies Vineyard.

Long and short walks are described in leaflets available from the NT shop, and are well waymarked, which is helpful as the many ways through the woods can be quite confusing without a map. Keen ramblers can take longer walks via the ridges to Mickleham or Headley, where there are pubs for lunch.

Description by Jeffrey Darlington