Leith Hill, Surrey

Details

Accessibility

2025: "Steep routes with steps and uneven surfaces. Leith Hill Place is partly accessible. Spiral stairs to tower. Blue Badge parking at Leith Hill Place. No toilets"

Brief description

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leith_Hill

2025: "Leith Hill in southern England is the highest summit of the Greensand Ridge,[2] approximately 6.7 km (4 mi) southwest of Dorking, Surrey and 40.5 km (25 mi) southwest of central London. It reaches 294 m (965 ft) above sea level,[3] and is the second highest point in southeast England, after Walbury Hill in southwest Berkshire, (which is 297 m (974 ft) high).[1] Leith Hill is the highest ground for 79 km (49 mi).

Four areas of woodland surrounding the hill comprise the 337.9-hectare (835-acre) Leith Hill Site of Special Scientific Interest, although the summit is excluded from this designation.[4]

The nearest railway station is Holmwood station, 3.6 km (2 mi) to the east, served by Southern trains to London Victoria.[5] 

On the summit of Leith Hill is an 18th-century Gothic tower. In 1764–65 Richard Hull of nearby Leith Hill Place built "Prospect House", later to become known as Leith Hill Tower,[6] with the intention of raising the hill above 1,000 ft (305 m) above sea level. A tower built contemporaneously at the summit of Bredon Hill achieves a similar purpose.

Leith Hill Tower is 19.5 metres (64 ft) high and consisted of two rooms "neatly furnished", with a Latin inscription above the door announcing that it had been built not only for his own pleasure, but also for the enjoyment of others. Hull provided visitors with prospect glasses, similar to a small telescope, through which to survey the extensive views towards London and the English Channel, each some 25 miles (40 km) away.

At the top of the tower there is a viewpoint indicator to commemorate Walker Miles, whose work in the early days of the Rambler's movement contributed to the formation of The Ramblers of Great Britain. It has been claimed that on a clear day, 13 counties can be seen from the top of Leith Hill Tower.[7]

The tower was fully restored by the National Trust in 1984. This restoration included the removal of rubble and concrete, fitting safety features such as a handrail in the narrow staircase, and converting the lower portion of the tower into a servery. Following restoration, the mobile phone operator Cellnet installed a first-generation transmitter station (Base site) into one of the tower rooms, feeding single vertical antennas on the tower roof dressed to look like flag poles. Leith Hill Tower is open to the public every day from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm on weekdays and 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekends, every day of the year except Christmas Day, with a comprehensive display explaining the history of the tower."

Address

Leith Hill Tower

Dorking

RH5 6LX

+ Leith Hill, near Coldharbour village, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6LU

Email

leithhillplace@nationaltrust.org.uk

Phone

Website

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leith_Hill

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/leith-hill

Directions

2025: "By road: Off A29/B2126.

Parking: Please use the Rhododendron Wood car park if visiting Leith Hill Place house. For Leith Hill Tower the following car parks can be used: Starveall Corner car park – footpath to tower ¾ mile, easy walking. Windy Gap car park – footpath to tower ¼ mile, steep steps. Landslip car park – footpath to tower ¾ mile, steep gradient. See more details under ‘Facilities’.

Sat Nav: If visiting Leith Hill Place, please use postcode: RH5 6LU for Rhododendron Wood car park (nearest car park).

On foot: comprehensive network of rights of way, including the Greensand Way National Trail

By train: Holmwood 2½ miles, Dorking 5½ miles, Ockley 4 miles. There is a walk from Holmwood station to Leith Hill available via this external website - http://www.walkingclub.org.uk/book_1/walk_42/

By bus: Nearest location served by bus - Holmbury St Mary 2½ miles.

Cycling: many rights of way "

Opening Times

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

See https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/leith-hill

Transport

2025: "The nearest railway station is Holmwood station, 3.6 km (2 mi) to the east, served by Southern trains to London Victoria.[5] "

Amenities

2025: "Bookshop

The second hand-books shop can be found in Leith Hill Place.

Car park

You must pay to park here (members park free). You need to validate your parking at a machine or on the JustPark app. There is no phone signal, so download and set up the app before your visit. £2 up to 1 hour. £4 up to 2 hours. £6 up to 4 hours. £9 all day. No overnight parking or camping. JustPark location ID: Rhododendron Wood: 80612. Landslip: 80601. See https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/services/help-centre/car-parking-faqs

Dogs allowed

Well-controlled dogs are welcome across the estate. Please keep them on a lead when around grazing livestock and also in the fenced Duke's Warren during ground-nesting bird season (1 March - 31 July). Well-behaved dogs on leads are also welcome inside Leith Hill Place.

See https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/dog-friendly/visiting-the-surrey-hills-with-your-dog

Kiosk

At the base of the Tower there is a servery selling hot and cold drinks (not National Trust).

Tea-room: 

The Kitchen at Leith Hill Place serves a selection of cakes and scones as well as hot and cold drinks.

Toilet: Toilets are available at Leith Hill Place during house opening times."