Fifty minutes from central London, a loop that has everything: stepping stones across a river, a steep climb up chalk slopes, one of the great views of southern England, ancient yew woods and a vineyard at the bottom for lunch and a tasting.
Box Hill has drawn Londoners for centuries: Jane Austen set a famous picnic in Emma here. Owned by the National Trust, it rises steeply above the River Mole where the river cuts through the North Downs.
The hill takes its name from the box trees that cling to its steep chalk slopes, alongside dark old yews. The classic loop crosses the Mole on its stepping stones, climbs a long flight of steps up the slope, and reaches the Salomons Memorial viewpoint, looking south over Dorking and the wooded Weald to the South Downs on the horizon.
From there, paths wander east across Juniper Top, a chalk grassland rich in orchids and butterflies in summer, and back down through yew woods. At the foot of the hill, Denbies, one of England's largest vineyards, serves lunch and tastings of its sparkling wine.
Partly on the North Downs Way, with National Trust waymarks on the hill.
Approximate profile. One steep climb, then rolling.
From Box Hill & Westhumble station, follow the lane east and cross the A24 by the underpass to join the North Downs Way towards the river.
Hop across the Mole on the famous stepping stones. If the river is high, use the footbridge a little upstream.
A long flight of steps climbs steeply through yew and box woods. Take it slowly; the view opens behind you.
The memorial viewpoint looks south over Dorking and the patchwork of the Weald to the South Downs. The National Trust café and shop are a few minutes away.
Follow paths east over open downland and down into Juniper Bottom, a quiet dry valley, with orchids and chalkhill blue butterflies in summer.
Return through the woods to the river and back to the station, or cross the A24 to Denbies wine estate on the far side of the valley for lunch.
Trains run from London Waterloo and Victoria to Box Hill & Westhumble in about 50 minutes. Dorking station, a little further, has more frequent services and is a 20-minute walk from the foot of the hill.
The wine estate has a restaurant, tastings and tours. Book ahead at weekends.
The summit car park and café are crowded on sunny weekends, and the zigzag road is popular with cyclists. Arriving by train avoids all of it.
Wine in the guide →
Beechwoods and the Coombe Hill monument.
Chalk cliffs from Seaford to Eastbourne via Beachy Head.
Ancient pollards, Connaught Water and High Beach.
The Tamsin Trail round London's largest royal park.
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Parliament Hill's skyline view, Kenwood and the ponds.
Upriver from Richmond to the Tudor palace.
Wikimedia Commons photographs are used under their Creative Commons licences.
