Rural Rides No.2 – East Surrey

The family cycle rides in this guidebook, all around East Surrey, are graded from easy 9-milers to challenging 20-25 mile days out, and are in the country between Dorking and Lingfield. Rides start at Forest Green, Broadmoor Hill, Capel, Reigate Heath, Burford Bridge, Margery Hill, Outwood, Lingfield and Botley Hill.

View Sample Route Map

Ride G: Downland Delights

Margery Wood, Lower Kingswood, Gatton, Merstham, Rockshaw, Gravelly Hill, Whitehill, Chaldon, Farthing Down, Hooley, Banstead Heath, Walton Heath, Mogador, Margery Wood

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Distance: 20 ½ miles
Maps: Landranger Maps: 187; Pathfinder Maps: 1207

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One of the joys of cycling is seeing some of the more delightful and unusual places in the countryside which you’ll never see from a car, and this ride, which explores the beautiful downland countryside south of Banstead, Coulsden, and Caterham, illustrates the point to the full.

A parkland estate which was once one of the country’s most notorious ‘rotten boroughs’, churches with fascinating and unusual features, strange towers, a tiny remnant of the world’s first public railway, and a downland hilltop where our Saxon ancestors buried their warrior leaders are among the intriguing sights you’ll see.

This ride requires some energy. Although much of it is quite gentle, there are a few strenuous climbs, balanced by some exhilarating downhill dashes. Most of the off-road tracks are in good condition, although the stretch over Bansted Heath can be hard going after wet weather, thanks to the many horses exercised there.

The Route in Brief

1. From CP head east along Margery Lane. At the A217 cross over and TR, then TL into Blackhorse Lane. At the staggered crossroads by Crossways Farm TR into Crossways Lane, SP Bridleway. Continue along lane (becomes rough track at crest of hill) under motorway to road at bottom. Cross road into Gatton Park then FL along drive (BW). SO through gate then up slope past school buildings and playing fields. At school chapel ride continues to L, or take second on R to visit church.
2. From school chapel follow drive onto road by North Lodge and TL. After 300yds TR into Gatton Bottom. Continue along road to junc with A23 and TR. Watch for traffic. To visit Merstham continue SO over motorway, otherwise TL into Rockshaw Road. After 1 mile cross motorway near M23/M25 intersection. Continue to TJ at Warwick Wold Road. TL then almost immediately TR into Spring Bottom Land, SP Caterham. At the far end TR into Whitehill Lane, SP Nutfield & Bletchingley. After 150yds, just after SLOW sign, TL into Hextalls Lane (BW). At a crossway of tracks SO into Roughetts Lane. At gates of Roughetts follow BW to L between stone gateposts, then at junction in track take L branch. At next junc of paths TL onto broad track (only narrow footpath continues ahead). Go on for a few yds past junction of several minor paths to a main track. At next junc follow track to R, then continue until it emerges at Gravelly Hill picnic area.
3. Set off from picnic area in direction from which you arrived, but on road. At TJ with Whitehill Road go SO onto BW between gateposts of Willey Park Farm, then FR just inside. On approach to farm follow track to left, then keep SO past farm. At road continue SO onto BW opposite. After 300yds keep SO on main track when N Downs Way branches to L across sloping field, then follow it round sharp R bend. Continue to road past Tollsworth Manor and TR. At Chaldon XR TL into Church Lane. Keep SO to Farthing Down CP.
4. TL onto BW (Drive Road) immediately before gates and cattle grid. At Gate 2 continue down into valley and up far side to Woodplace Farm. Pass through yard to road and TR, then TL onto BW just before Star Shaw Stables. Follow BW round sharp bends to R, then L, then R again (over railway) to A23 road at Hooley. TL for 300yds then R at traffic lights into Star Lane. Climb hill and follow bend to L, then FL past church. At XR continue SO into Hogcross Lane. SO at High Road into White Hill, SP Mugswell & Lower Kingswood. Pass Well House Inn and keep going to roundabout on A217, then SO to BW on far side.
5. Pass barrier onto Banstead Heath then FL when track divides. At next junction of paths TR then immediately L along edge of woods. Pass through gap in hedge then follow track as it veers to L past garden of house. At the next junction take path SP Dorking Road 200yds. TL along road for 100yds then L just after bottom of dip onto BW along side of golf course. At sign for permissive horse ride go SO, keeping to R of hedge. At next junction follow BW on left, SP Modador ¼ mile. At next fork keep L to reach road – continue straight ahead. At next XR TR into Cuckland Road past Mint Arms. Keep SO onto rough track to reach CO at Margery Wood.