Box Hill is always one of the most popular walking areas in the South of England, and, with its steep hills, attractive valleys, extensive woodland and great views, for good reason. GOC London was not therefore the only walking group assembling at Boxhill and Westhumble station on the hot morning of Saturday 21st June. It was forecast to be one of the hottest days of the year, reaching 33 degrees Celsius. So it was not perhaps surprising that only six of us assembled for what was going to be a reasonably tough walk. We set off just before 11 am, and first made a detour to the extensive and long established Denbies vineyard, where a “fun run” was taking place - which didn't look like all that much fun in the heat! We had a look in the attractive if expensive farm shop and the number of people bought fruit etc.
Crossing the River Mole to reach Box Hill there are usually two options: an easier footbridge or a more interesting series of stepping stones. A few of the group decided on a third method, which was to paddle across the river. Although this was deliciously cool the stones underfoot were quite painful and it took quite a while to stagger across. Bill Fuller decided at this point that some photos would be in order and made a vain attempt to get those in the river to pose and smile rather than grimace!
After footwear was donned again, we set off again and soon started the slog up the 250 steps to Box Hill. We had a break half way up and everybody seemed to manage without too much difficulty; the shade from the trees helped a lot. Our leader Jon Barker had originally intended to have lunch on Juniper Top, but this is exposed. Instead we found a convenient long birch trunk in the woods. We descended across open ground to the Whitehills car park and then ascended the even steeper set of steps on the other side of the road, where we were overtaken by a very young fit walk leader leading a small group. We dropped down again more gently into Mickleham where we stopped at the King William IV pub for mid-walk rehydration (!). It was table service only and we sat in the pleasant garden, where we ordered our drinks. By now it was very humid; it started to rain a bit which cooled us down for a few minutes; however it did not last long.
The last leg of our walk, instead of clinging to the public right of way on the riverbank, Jon led us across a field, which apparently had been used as a shorter custom and practice route. Anyway we found a stile gate screwed closed at the far end, so the permission to use that route had obviously been withdrawn, although we found no notice to this effect. It was very awkward climbing over the gate. As we crossed the bridge over the River Mole into Leatherhead, we had a good view of a little egret in the river. The walk was formally over, but four of us thought we deserved another pint in the garden of the Running Horse pub, before catching the train back to London. It had been a great day despite the heat. Many thanks to Jon Barker for organising and leading it.
Andy Fisher
