Where Royals Honeymooned - Polesden Estate & Hills | 23 km (14.3 mi)

📈 Grade 🥾🥾🥾Level 3.5/5
🔦Sunset will be around 16:39, so it might get a bit dark towards the end. Please bring a head torch or hand light just in case!
——
📖 ABOUT:
A big day in the Surrey Hills, train to train from Box Hill & Westhumble to Dorking. 🥾
We start past the ruins of an 800-year-old chapel, then climb onto the Polesden Lacey estate, the Edwardian party house of society hostess Mrs Greville, where the future George VI and Queen Elizabeth spent part of their honeymoon in 1923. 👑
Then it's rolling hills, ancient woodland and big views across the Surrey Hills, before we finish over the chalk slopes of Denbies Hillside and down through England's largest single-estate vineyard. 🍇🍷
——
SUMMARY:
🥾 23 km (14.3 mi) | ⚠️Point-to-point | Ascent: 654m | Descent: 655m | ~6.5hrs including breaks and lunch
🚆 Train from London Victoria station (direct)
⛳️ Meeting Point: 2 Options
1- London Victoria, in front of the ticket office | 08:20 (Train is at 08:40)
2- Box Hill & Westhumble, outside train station | 09:35
📍 Hike start: Box Hill & Westhumble, outside train station | 09:40
🏁 Hike finish: Dorking train station | approx. 16:30
——
🚊 TRAIN TICKET INFORMATION:
🎟️Buy an Off-Peak Day Return: London Victoria ⇆ Dorking
Cheapest fare: £10.50 with a network railcard
➡️Outbound: London Victoria 08:41 → 09:37 Box Hill & Westhumble (direct)
⬅️Inbound: Dorking, Any Off-Peak Return → London Victoria (direct)
——
💷COST: Free
This hike is completely free to join but participants need to purchase their own transport tickets.
——
🎒WHAT TO BRING:
2L Water
Packed lunch and snacks (food stops are limited on the route)
Waterproof hiking boots with good grip (paths can be muddy and slippery)
Warm layers, waterproofs, hat and gloves
Head torch, just in case (we finish around sunset)
Optional: trekking poles, camera

✅WHO CAN JOIN:
This is a long, hilly day: you should be comfortable walking 23 km with nearly 700 m of climbing.
Our hikes are open to adults aged 21 and over.
For safety reasons, we're not able to include children.
We love animals, but pets (including dogs) can't join our hikes.
——
🚨RSVP & ATTENDANCE:
RSVP only if you plan to attend. Please cancel as early as possible if you can no longer make it so others can join. A no-show means you RSVPed but did not attend or cancelled just before or after the start time. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations without a valid reason may lead to removal. Reliable regulars who end up on a waitlist may message the host for priority consideration.
——
☯️STAYING TOGETHER:
A dedicated back marker is not always present, so please keep others in sight and avoid moving too far ahead or falling too far behind. Faster walkers should wait at junctions. The hike leader will pause at key points to regroup and reduce the chance of anyone becoming separated from the group.
——
⚠️ DISCLAIMER:
By joining, you confirm that you have read and accepted the group policy on the About page. You are responsible for your own safety, and neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage.