Surrey Hills

The Surrey Hills National Landscape covers 422 square kilometres in southern England, mainly along the North Downs and Greensand Ridge. It forms a quarter of Surrey’s land and shares borders with Kent Downs and South Downs. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1958, it became a National Landscape in 2023. The landscape blends chalk ridges in the north with greensand ridges in the south, separated by the Vale of Holmesdale. Rare plants and insects thrive on the North Downs, while parts are cared for by the National Trust. Leith Hill, the highest point at 294 metres, sits near Coldharbour on the Greensand Ridge. Blackheath Common and Ranmore Common also lie within the area, alongside Box Hill. Chiddingfold Forest, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, adds to the ecological richness. Three long-distance walking routes cross the hills: the North Downs Way, the Greensand Way, and the Pilgrims’ Way. The landscape is surrounded by an Area of Great Landscape Value covering eight percent of Surrey. Visitors find sweeping views from hilltops like Leith Hill and Box Hill. The North Downs provide sheltered paths through chalk downland, while the Greensand Ridge offers quieter trails. Woodlands such as Chiddingfold Forest invite exploration of rare wildlife. Common land like Ranmore and Blackheath offers open space for walking and picnics. The varied ridges and valleys create a changing scene of light and colour throughout the seasons.