The Walk: This walk starts from Betchworth Station, and follows the North Downs Way National Trail, with good viewpoints at Colley Hill and Reigate Hill. We descend through landscaped Gatton Park and across Reigate Hill Golf Course to finish conveniently at Merstham Station.
Map
NB The map shows my route, with various diversions and excursions which you may not wish to follow precisely.
Why do it: The broad grass terrace of Colley's Hill makes a great viewpoint over the Surrey Hills and over the Weald to the South Downs, and, being some distance from any car parks, is quieter than comparable viewpoints such as Newlands Corner, Box Hill or neighbouring Reigate Hill. The Inglis Memorial rotunda was originally installed in 1909 as a drinking fountain for travellers along the Reigate Hill Road to water their horses. It now houses an orientation table.
Approaching Reigate Hill is Victorian Reigate Fort, which was primarily an Army ammunition store to supply troops in the event of an invasion.
East of the Fort, take the path over grass off the main track to the left for views North over the London skyline, quite a rarity on the NDW.
Reigate Hill is another great viewpoint: having a car park and cafe, it is is busier than Colley's Hill.
The route descends through Gatton Park, landscaped in the 18th Century by Lancelot Capability Brown. You pass a stone circle, The Millenium Stones sculpture, before passing through the grounds of the Royal Alexandra and Albert school. Other areas of the park are being restored, and are open on the first Sunday of the month (entrance charge).
Colley Hill, Reigate Fort, Reigate Hill and Gatton Park are in the care of the National Trust, the last jointly with the Gatton Trust.
Distance: 7.5 miles along the NDW, plus 0.25 miles from/to the stations at either end, so 8 miles in total.
Logistics: Start from Betchworth Station.
A path next to the road leads up to join the NDW heading East. For the initial half of the walk, the NDW stays on the lower parts of the scarp slope, and views are largely obscured by vegetation, but the views improve greatly once the NDW climbs to Colley Hill
Finish at Merstham Station.
Challenges:
Expect mud after rain, and some of the steeper sections may be slippery (the path across Reigate Hill Golf Course was especially bad).
On Colley Hill, the official NDW track runs some distance back from the actual open grassy terrace, where the spectacular views are masked by scrub. For the best experience, head out onto the terrace.
Refreshments: Cafe at Reigate Hill.
Similar Walks
For an overview map of all my walks along the North Downs Way see this page.
Previous section: Mole Gap to Betchworth Station
Next section: Merstham to Oxted
More Photos
Early May, sunny at first, clouding over later
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| Pick up the NDW heading East |
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| Muddy in places |
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| Rare clearing on the first half of the walk |
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| I climbed by mistake to this viewpoint on the Buckland Hills |
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| Tree roots |
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| Track up to Colley Hill |
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| These Victorian markers delineated the boundary of London for the purposes of tariffs on cargoes such as coal. |
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| Terrible track approaching Colley Hill |
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| View West from Colley Hill |
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| Cyclist |
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| Colley Hill |
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| Colley Hill |
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| Inglis Memorial |
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| Reigate Fort |
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| Bridge over A217 |
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| View from Reigate Hill |
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| Entry to Gatton Park |
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| Track in Gatton Park |
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| Millenium Stones |
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| Royal Alexandra and Albert School |
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| Once out in the open, the path across the golf course improves |
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| Reigate Hill Golf Course |
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| Merstham cricket ground |
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| Quality Street in Merstham (named after the James Barrie play and toffee brand) |
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