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Brockham and Betchworth

Recommended by

Our view

"A walk between two contrasting villages with some superb old houses and a shared heritage"

Walk directions

From the car park walk towards the road and take the path on the right along the edge of the playing fields. In 100yds (91m) turn left and cross the road at a fingerpost to walk up the footpath between a field and a hedge. At a cross track turn right on the Greensand Way (public bridleway) which descends to cross the River Mole. Continue on the path through two metal gates and over a footbridge. The path reaches a wooden gate, by the side of which is the village pound. Walk right along the track to the Inn on the Green pub and take the path on the left, opposite the pub, across the village green. At a cross-tracks turn left beside the church, and then turn left at Wheelers Road and pass the school. After 340yds (311m) take the footpath on the left, immediately after Fourway House.

Go through a kissing gate, up the side of a field, cross a plank bridge and go through a metal kissing gate. Head across this field towards the right-hand edge of the wood ahead and go through a metal kissing gate. Walk along the left side of the field towards a fingerpost. Turn left here, keeping the wood on your left and go through another metal kissing gate. Follow the path and at the next finger post continue straight on, to cross a stile. Keep to the left of this field, by the wood, and at the next footpath sign keep straight on over a wooden bridge and then uphill to leave the wood. Follow the next footpath to the next kissing gate which leads into the wood. The path descends to a footpath sign. Keep the wood to your left and cross the field towards the main road.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Mostly across open farmland; 1 stile

Landscape - Gentle parkland and two villages

Dog friendliness - Leads required across farmland

Parking - Dorking Rugby Club Car Park, Kiln Lane, Brockham

Toilets en route - None on route, nearest at South Street, Dorking

About the walk

The two villages on this walk both lie on the banks of the River Mole. This river rises near Gatwick Airport and flows into the River Thames near Hampton Court and, on its way, it flows around the foot of Box Hill. Former quarry village The start of the walk is in Brockham which, for most its... life, has been a small rural hamlet, whose inhabitants were mainly agricultural workers. This changed in 1865 when Betchworth Quarries were started up. The land was leased from Sir Benjamin Brodie (who was a surgeon to Queen Victoria) and the quarry became a vital ingredient of life in both Brockham and Betchworth. Its size and scope can be gauged from the huge cliffs visible on the North Downs. The quarry originally used horse-drawn trucks to move the chalk, then a railway was built and the horses were replaced by a steam locomotive. The works railway joined the main railway line near Betchworth. Some of the rolling stock from the quarry has been preserved and can be seen at the Amberley Museum & Heritage Centre in West Sussex. The quarry continued in operation until 1959. Another industry that provided work for local residents was the brick works in Kiln Lane (not far from the car park), and sand used in the production of the bricks is still extracted from the local area. Bonfire Night Brockham’s main claim to fame nowadays is that they mount a spectacular bonfire night celebration each year. Tremendous preparations go into this event and it always draws large crowds. It is held on the cricket ground, where W G Grace is said to have played – cricket is still very popular and Brockham has a successful team. Down the road, Betchworth is a little grander than Brockham. It has a good collection of old properties, the most substantial of which is Betchworth House (not open), an attractive 17th-century Grade II listed property. It was owned by Henry Goulburn for several years in the early 19th century, when Goulburn was Chancellor of the Exchequer. In the early days of the 20th century the house was known for its magnificent gardens, and, it is said that the garden’s lawns were once cut by lawnmowers that were pulled along by horses. The village grew up around the house and the church. St Michael’s Church was mentioned in the Domesday Book but most of the surviving older parts of the church date to the 13th century and later. The church is well worth a look and contains the memorials of former royal doctors.

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About the area

not available. .

Route details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Flat

Distance:

3 miles (4.8kms)

Ascent:

0ft (0m)

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Brockham and Betchworth

Recommended by

Our view

"A walk between two contrasting villages with some superb old houses and a shared heritage"

Walk details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Flat

Distance:

3 miles (4.8kms)

Ascent:

0ft (0m)

Walk directions

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2 of 4

Go through a kissing gate to the road and turn left along Snowerhill Road into Betchworth. Cross the road bridge. Pass a telephone box on the right and a letterbox to the left and bear left under an arch in to St Michael’s churchyard. Take the right fork around the church and exit through the lychgate into Church Street. Before reaching the main road, turn left just past Gardens Cottage into a small orchard and then a green. Continue on the path across the green and exit round the metal barriers. Turn left on the footpath along the road called The Walled Garden. At a field keep ahead with the hedge on the left. The track then bears left with the hedge and leads towards a gate.

3 of 4

Before the gate turn right ontothe Greensand Way and continue towards Brockham. Cross a bridge and walk at the back of some houses to a fingerpost. Turn left, then immediately right to rejoin the path to the car park.

4 of 4

Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Mostly across open farmland; 1 stile

Landscape - Gentle parkland and two villages

Dog friendliness - Leads required across farmland

Parking - Dorking Rugby Club Car Park, Kiln Lane, Brockham

Toilets en route - None on route, nearest at South Street, Dorking

About the walk

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Been on this walk?

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About the area

not available. .

Brockham and Betchworth

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Brockham and Betchworth

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