Leith Hill Tower Circular Woodland Walk
Climb to the highest point in the South East on this challenging circular walk in the Surrey Hills AONB.
The route runs for a distance of about 3.5 miles with some moderate climbs on the way.
Leith Hill is located near Dorking and is also the highest point on the Greensand Ridge, reaching a height of 294 metres (965 ft) above sea level. On the summit of Leith Hill is an 18th century Gothic tower, with panoramic views northwards to London and south to the English Channel. The area is run by the National Trust so the tower has been restored and contains a viewing point with a telescope and refreshments at the Tower servery. There are self guided trails through woodland, farmland and parkland. Also be sure to visit the Rhododendron Wood, particularly in the spring months when the colours are simply stunning.
The walk begins at the car park on the western side of the hill and takes you to the high point on the Greensand Way long distance footpath. You then head towards Coldharbour and Whiteberry Hill, crossing Wotton Common, before returning to the car park.
If you'd like to continue your walking in the area then you could head to the nearby village of Holmbury St Mary and climb Holmbury Hill for great views over the Weald of Sussex. The expansive Winterfold Forest with its miles of walking and mountain bike trails can also be found in this area.
You could also try our circular walk around Abinger Common and Wotton Common. There's miles of good woodland trails, ponds and streams to enjoy here.
Postcode
RH5 6LX - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsLeith Hill Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Leith Hill Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Leith Hill OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Leith Hill Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
Head into the nearby village of Holmbury St Mary after your walk and you can enjoy refreshments in the Royal Oak. There's a very nice, large outdoor seating area to relax in during the summer months here. It's a quintessentially British country pub; with open fires, home-cooked food, on site brewery and a warm welcome. You can find it at Felday Glade with postcode RH5 6PF for your sat navs.
There's also the King's Head on Pitland Street (postcode: RH5 6NP). Here you'll find log fires, pub grub, real ales and another nice garden to sit out in.
Dog Walking
The hill and the surrounding woodland are a great place for a dog walk and you will probably see plenty of other owners on your outing. The Royal Oak pub mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
If you are coming by public transport you could catch the train from London Waterloo to Ockley Station, about 2 miles south east of the hill. Our circular Ockley to Leith Hill Walk takes you from the station to the hill summit via Leith Hill Wood. It's a nice way to visit the hill if you are coming from the city.
The wooded area to the south west of the hill is also worth exploring. It's a lovely place to visit from April to June when it is full of pretty Rhododendrons.
Pictured above left, the Rhododendrons in Leith Hill wood, near to the hill summit. It's a fine place to explore when the flowers are in bloom. On the right a Lonesome Scots Pine, rises above the ornamental azaleas in the same area.
The circular Friday Street Walk can be picked up on nearby Abinger Common. It explores the pretty Friday Street Mill Pond and the 17th century Wotton House Estate before heading to the Tillingbourne Waterfall on the River Tillingbourne.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
View from Leith Hill Tower. At the summit of Leith Hill stands an 18th-century Gothic tower, originally known as "Prospect House." Built by Richard Hull of Leith Hill Place between 1764 and 1765, the tower was intended to elevate the hill's height to over 1,000 feet (305 metres) and offer expansive views. The tower stands 19.5 metres (64 feet) tall and was designed with two furnished rooms. Hull provided visitors with prospect glasses for viewing distant landmarks such as London and the English Channel, about 25 miles (40 km) away.
After Hull's death in 1772, he was buried at the base of the tower. The building fell into disrepair, and over time, it was filled with rubble and concrete, and its access was blocked. In 1864, William John Evelyn of Wotton House undertook efforts to restore the tower. Due to the extensive concrete filling, he added a turreted side tower to provide access to the top.
Leith Hill Tower. Today, the restored Leith Hill Tower features a viewpoint indicator to commemorate Walker Miles, an early advocate of the Rambler's movement. On clear days, the tower offers views across up to 13 counties. The National Trust completed the restoration in 1984, which included removing the rubble, adding safety features, and converting the lower part into a servery. The tower is open to the public daily, with varied opening times depending on the day of the week, and features a display on its history.
View from Leith Hill Tower, looking SE across the Weald of Sussex towards the South Downs. The area is part of the Leith Hill Place estate, once home to the famous composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Direction indicator tablets at the top of Leith hill tower. Placed in commemoration of 'Walker Miles'.
View from Leith Hill Tower looking north across the North Downs towards SW London.
Mixed Azaleas on Leith Hill in May. The walk up Leith Hill towards the tower passes through Mosses Wood, a 69-acre forest known for its impressive collection of trees. Many of the trees in the wood are pines, some of which were planted in the mid-1800s by Alexander Hargreaves Brown, a local resident with an interest in forestry. The wood provides a pleasant and shaded path for hikers, making the ascent to the tower more enjoyable. As you walk, you'll notice a mix of tree species and the quiet beauty of this well-preserved woodland area.
Bench View, Leith Hill, Surrey
Greensand Way at Leith Hill