The Hill That Defined Surrey
Box Hill rises to 224 metres above the Mole Valley, its chalk escarpment visible for miles across the Weald. The hill takes its name from the ancient box woodland on its steeper slopes – one of the oldest surviving box woodlands in England. The National Trust has owned much of the hill since 1914, and the estate now extends to 1,200 acres of chalk grassland, mixed woodland, and open downland.
Jane Austen brought a party here in Emma, published in 1815. Two centuries later, in July 2012, the Olympic cycling road race put Box Hill on a global stage. An estimated 15,000 spectators lined the Zig Zag Road to watch the peloton climb nine laps of a 15.8-kilometre circuit. The Olympic legacy trail is now a permanent feature of the landscape.
The Landscape
The chalk grassland supports an extraordinary diversity of wildlife. A 2007 survey recorded the second-highest number of insect species of any site in Britain. Orchids, wild thyme, and horseshoe vetch grow on the open slopes, while the woodland shelters dormice, woodpeckers, and over 40 species of butterfly.
The stepping stones across the River Mole at the foot of the hill are a popular destination, particularly with families. The stones have been in place since at least the mid-19th century and provide a crossing point between Box Hill and the Mole Valley. When the river is low, it is possible to cross dry-footed; after rain, expect wet shoes.
Getting There
Box Hill has its own railway station (Box Hill & Westhumble) on the Dorking line from London Waterloo, making it one of the most accessible countryside escapes from central London. The summit car park connects to the Zig Zag Road and the viewpoint. Around 850,000 people visit each year.
