Exploring Headley Heath
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Walk directions
Face the road, walk to the far right-hand corner of the car park, and take the bridleway on your right passing through a gate, following the blue-topped posts and past two ponds on the right. Ignore all paths left and right until reaching a junction of paths with blue- and purple-topped posts.
Turn right here, and follow the bridleway for 125yds (115m) to a junction. Take the first left and at the next junction of bridleways turn right, rising slightly. At cross-tracks, walk straight ahead, still following the blu- topped posts. The broad track starts to descend to the valley bottom with a clear valley side to your right. Reach a junction of paths, with steps ahead of you, turn left here and pass another flight of steps on your left. Continue ahead, still on a bridleway, and after 100yds (91m) turn right, climbing steeply up an eroded path alongside a post-and-wire fence. At the top, pass through a gate and immediately take the path on the right. If you reach the road at High Ashurst, you’ll know that you’ve gone too far.
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Additional information
Terrain
- Mainly woodland tracks
Landscape
- Wooded heathland and chalk valleys
Dog friendliness
- Under strict control near grazing animals on heath
Parking
- National Trust Headley Heath car park on Headley Common Road (B2033)
Toilets en route
- None on route
About the walk
Look around you, for this is no ordinary place. About a tenth of all the world’s lowland heaths are found in southern England, and Headley includes the largest remaining area of acid heathland on the North Downs. Although heathland is an artificial habitat, it’s home to any rare and threatened...
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Walking in Safety
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Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
About the area
Surrey is one of England’s most wooded counties, with over a quarter of the landscape designated as an official AONB and plenty of history evident in the countryside. You’ll find sandy tracks, cottage gardens and welcoming village inns, and on the fringe of Greater London you can picnic in Chaldon’s hay meadows, explore the downs at Epsom, or drift idly beside the River Thames.
Nearby places to stay
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Nearby places to stay
Reigate Manor
On the slopes of Reigate Hill, Reigate Manor is ideally located for access to the town and for motorway links. A range of public rooms is provided along with a variety of function rooms...
Woodlands Park Hotel
Originally built for the Bryant family of the matchmaking firm Bryant & May, the Woodlands Park Hotel, a traditional Victorian mansion, enjoys an attractive parkland setting in ten and ...
Nutfield Priory Hotel & Spa
Nutfield Priory is a country house that dates back to 1872 and is set in 40 acres of grounds with stunning views over the Surrey countryside. The hotel offers a range of individually ap...
Langshott Manor
On the outskirts of Horley, Langshott Manor is a charming timber-framed Tudor manor house set amid beautifully landscaped grounds with an ancient moat. The stylish public areas feature ...
Gainsborough Lodge
Close to Gatwick, Gainsborough Lodge is a fine Edwardian house. Its bright, recently refurbished bedrooms are comfortably appointed, and a Continental breakfast is served in the-dining ...
The Kings Head
Tucked away in a tranquil village in the Surrey Hills, The Kings Head offers three very comfy and stylish bedrooms. The team are extremely friendly and the kitchen sends out delicious a...
Studio Apartment
Awaiting description...
Upper Garden Suite
Awaiting description...
Places to eat nearby View all
