Cloudy sky over the Chilterns. View from near Ford village

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Start & Finish: The Dinton Hermit, Water Lane, Ford, Aylesbury, HP17 8XH
Distance: 8.3 km (5.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 41 m
Terrain: Mostly level field-edge paths, quiet country lanes, and a short optional section through community woodland.
Midshires Way section covered: Michael’s Peace to Bishopstone Road: 3.8 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, The Swan Way, The Wychert Way, Aylesbury Ring, North Bucks Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Dinton Hermit at the start and end of the walk
OS Trig Pillar: TP4919 - Moreton Farm
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Ford, Buckinghamshire, Midshires Way

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This is part of a series of short circular walks following the length of the Midshires Way in Buckinghamshire. The Midshires Way is a 225-mile (362 km) trail that journeys through the rural heart of Middle England, linking the Ridgeway National Trail at Bledlow in the south to the Trans Pennine Trail at Stockport in the north. Opened in 1994, this route traverses several counties, including Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Greater Manchester, following a scenic tapestry of ancient bridleways, quiet country lanes, and historic canals. In Buckinghamshire, the Midshires Way has a significant connection with the Swan's Way (often referred to as the Swan Way), a 65-mile long-distance bridleway. Essentially, the Swan's Way forms the backbone of the Buckinghamshire section of the Midshires Way, with the two routes being broadly coincident for approximately 50 miles between Salcey Forest and Bledlow. While the Swan's Way strictly adheres to bridleways to accommodate horse riders and cyclists, the Midshires Way sometimes offers alternative waymarked footpaths for walkers to avoid on-road sections.

Walking Directions

This walk starts in the quiet hamlet of Ford, setting off into the heart of the Aylesbury Vale. The route primarily follows a scenic section of the Midshires Way, leading you through an undulating landscape of traditional English farmland. It is a fantastic choice for those looking for a peaceful journey that avoids the steeper climbs of the nearby Chiltern ridge while still offering great views of the hills in the distance.

If you are into bagging OS Trig Pillars, there’s an optional diversion into Michael’s Peace to the Moreton Farm Pillar.. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

• Starting at the Dinton Hermit pub in Ford, head south-east cross over Water Lane to follow the Aylesbury Ring in a south-easterly direction for 1.8 km.

• When you reach the track that connects with the Midshires Way take a left for ~750m to take the first path on the left.

• Continue along the path for ~750m to a path junction on the boundary of Michael’s Peace. If you want to visit the Moreton Farm Trig Pillar, there’s 2 entrances on the left of this section of path.

• At the path junction take a right to continue following the Midshires Way across farmland to Bishopstone Road.

• Take a left onto Bishopstone Road then take the first path on the left at #2 Bishopstone.

• Follow this path in a south-westerly direction for 2.5 km back to Water Lane and the Dinton Hermit pub.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

• Ford: A picturesque hamlet whose name derives from the Anglo-Saxon for a stream crossing. It is home to several Grade II listed buildings and thatched cottages.

• The Dinton Hermit: This historic 17th-century country inn in Ford is named after John Bigg, the "Dinton Hermit," who was reputedly the executioner of King Charles I and lived in a cave nearby.

• Michael's Peace: A 90-acre woodland planted in the winter of 2001-2002 that features diverse tree species like oak, ash, and hazel. A central memorial stone dedicated to Michael Roads serves as the starting point for six radiating rides, providing panoramic views of six local churches and the Chilterns. Supported by the Forestry Commission, this high point has become a haven for wildlife, including skylarks, little owls, and butterflies, making it a popular destination for the local community.

• Moreton Farm Trig Pillar (TP4919): This concrete pillar is part of the historic Ordnance Survey triangulation network. At an elevation of roughly 92m, it provides a quiet marker in the Aylesbury Vale landscape.

• The Wychert Way: The route touches this unique local trail. "Wychert" is a traditional building material made of white decayed limestone and straw, unique to this small pocket of Buckinghamshire (the Haddenham/Dinton area).

• View of Coombe Hill: On clear days, look south-east. The Boer War Monument on top of Coombe Hill is often visible as a tiny spike on the horizon of the Chilterns.

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Midshires Way previous section South: Ford and Kemble Wick
Midshires Way next section North: Hartwell and Stone

Water Wheel on North Mill Road

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Start & Finish: Longwick Stores And Post Office, Thame Road, Longwick, Princes Risborough, HP27 9SF
Distance: 8.3 km (5.2 miles). Can be shortened by ~1 km by removing the detours. See walk description.
Elevation change: +/- 37m
Terrain: Level field-edge paths, quiet country lanes, and agricultural tracks.
Midshires Way section covered: North Mill Road to Longwick: 3.6 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, Swan Way, Outer Aylesbury Ring,
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Red Lion Longwick, just off the route at the start and end.
OS Trig Pillar: TP5612 - Red House Farm
Disused Station: Ilmer Halt
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Longwick, Ilmer, Aylesbury Vale,

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This is part of a series of short circular walks following the length of the Midshires Way in Buckinghamshire. The Midshires Way is a 225-mile (362 km) trail that journeys through the rural heart of Middle England, linking the Ridgeway National Trail at Bledlow in the south to the Trans Pennine Trail at Stockport in the north. Opened in 1994, this route traverses several counties, including Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Greater Manchester, following a scenic tapestry of ancient bridleways, quiet country lanes, and historic canals. In Buckinghamshire, the Midshires Way has a significant connection with the Swan's Way (often referred to as the Swan Way), a 65-mile long-distance bridleway. Essentially, the Swan's Way forms the backbone of the Buckinghamshire section of the Midshires Way, with the two routes being broadly coincident for approximately 50 miles between Salcey Forest and Bledlow. While the Swan's Way strictly adheres to bridleways to accommodate horse riders and cyclists, the Midshires Way sometimes offers alternative waymarked footpaths for walkers to avoid on-road sections.

Walking Directions

For this walk, we set out from Longwick, a pleasant village situated in the Aylesbury Vale just north of Princes Risborough. This circular route explores the quiet, low-lying farmlands of Buckinghamshire, leading us through the small hamlet of Ilmer and offering wide, open views of the Chiltern escarpment in the distance.

The trail is largely level, making it a relaxing journey through a patchwork of fields and narrow country lanes. It captures the quintessential rural charm of this part of the county, where ancient hedgerows and slow-moving streams define the landscape. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

• Start in Longwick, where there’s free on-street parking near the Longwick Stores and Post Office on the A4129 Thame Road.

• Take Walnut Tree Lane in a south-westerly direction toward the edge of the village.

• When you reach the open field on the right hand side, where the Lane becomes a track, you have the option of taking a 800m out-and back diversion to bag the Red House Farm Trig Pillar. You’ll need to keep to the outside of the field to avoid damaging crops.

• After passing under the railway bridge continue in a south-westerly direction for 300m then take a path on the left. Follow this path in a south-easterly direction for 220m then take a right to head south-west.

• At the corner of the field you’ll meet the Midshires Way near a kink in the Horsenden Stream. You could take a right to follow the Midshires but you’ll have missed a very small section that connects to Part 1 of this series. For completer-finishers you can continue walking south-west to the corner of North Mill Road / Sandpit Lane where you crossed over the Horsenden Stream in Part 1. Retrace your steps back to the field-corner taking a moment to admire the old wooden water-wheel.

• Follow The Midshires Way / Swan Way in a north-westerly direction along field edges until you meet Ilmer Lane. Take a right onto Ilmer Lane to cross under the railway bridge. On the right you can see a house called The Sidings, a clue that the old Ilmer Halt railway station was once located here.

• Continue along Ilmer Lane in a north-easterly direction, cross over the A4129 Thame Road and along the track to the left of the entrance to the flower nursery.

• Approximately 300m after crossing the A4129 take the first footpath on the right to leave the Midshires Way to cross open fields in an easterly direction to Bar Lane.

• Take a right onto Bar Lane to follow it back to the start at the A4129 in Longwick Village.
  

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

• Longwick: Our starting point is a village with a long agricultural history. Local produce from this area, including watercress and willow poles, was historically exported to London markets via the nearby railway.

• Longwick Mill: Located in Longwick, this mill was part of a thriving network of local businesses that benefited from regional freight services.

• Red House Farm Trig Pillar: Sitting at an elevation of 92m, this concrete pillar (TP5612) is part of the historic Ordnance Survey triangulation network used to map the UK.

• Ilmer: A tiny, secluded hamlet known for the Grade II* listed St Peter’s Church. The name Ilmer is thought to mean "Yewmere," referring to a lake where yew trees grew.

• The Horsenden Stream: A quiet tributary that the route follows near the Red House Farm. Its gentle flow is a key feature of the low-lying Aylesbury Vale landscape.

• Ilmer Halt (Disused Station): Opened in 1929 and closed in 1963, this was one of the smallest "halts" on the Great Western Railway. The nearby house "The Sidings" marks the spot where commuters once boarded steam trains.

• Views of the Chilterns: While the walk itself remains in the vale, the elevation changes provide a fantastic perspective of the nearby ridge, including Wain Hill.

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Midshires Way previous section South: Hempton Wainhill & Bledlow
Midshires Way next section North: Ford and Kemble Wick

Muswell Hill Trig Pillar

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Start & Finish: Brill Windmill, South Hills, Brill, Aylesbury, HP18 9TQ
Distance: 7.6 km (4.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 125m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Terrain: Rolling hilltop ridges, open common land, geological SSSI sites, and village footpaths.
Other routes touched (walk): Bernwood Jubilee Way, Piddington Circular Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): National Byway
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Pointer, The Pheasant, both in Brill at the start and end of the walk.
OS Trig Pillars: TP0728 - Muswell Hill and (just off route) TP1632 - Brill House
Map: Oxford Map | Witney & Woodstock | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 180
Links: Brill, Brill Windmill, Muswell Hill (Buckinghamshire), Brill Tramway, Bernwood Forest.

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This is part of a series of short circular walks in the Buckinghamshire based around bagging an Ordnance Survey Trig Pillar. If you’ve searched for or stumbled across this page then you probably already know what an OS Trig Pillar is. If you don’t then this article from the Ordnance Survey is a good place to start.

The Muswell Hill Trig Pillar is right on the route but the Brill House Pillar is just off the rout to the south-east of Brill just off the Thame Road. We bagged it as a drive-by after the main walk but you could add it into the walk by walking to it, and back, when you get to Church Street. This will add an extra 800m to the total route length.

Note that Muswell Hill shouldn’t be confused with the place in London of the same name. The two places named Muswell Hill, one in London and one in Buckinghamshire, share a similar name but not a proven shared origin. London’s Muswell Hill is well documented as taking its name from a medieval healing spring known as the “Mus Well,” which attracted pilgrims. The Buckinghamshire Muswell Hill, near Brill, is historically associated with a hermitage and chapel, giving it its own religious significance, though no clear evidence links its name to a well or to the London site. While both locations have medieval religious associations, the connection between them appears to be coincidental rather than a direct naming relationship.

Walking Directions

For this walk we parked at Brill in the free parking spaces outside the historic Windmill. This circular route begins at the iconic 17th-century post mill, leading you through an undulating landscape with expansive vistas across the Vale of Aylesbury. It was Christmas Day, and we were very lucky to have a bright, sunny day for our stroll.

The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

• Start at Brill Common: Begin at the historic Brill Windmill. Walk south-west across the undulating mounds of the common, which were formed by ancient clay workings.

• Brill Village: Walk down Windmil Street in a south-easterly direction towards the village centre. Take a left onto Temple Street then a right on to a footpath that joins the Bernwood Jubilee Way. Keep on the Bernwood Jubilee Way as it traces a circle of the village, passing All Saints Church and onto The Square. After 1.4 km into the walk you’ll reach South Hills (road) where you’ll get another view of the Windmill.

• The Jubilee Way: Keep following the Bernwood Jubilee Way in a westerly direction to the B4011.

• Busy Road. Take a right onto this road to follow it in a northerly direction. Please note that there is no pavement here, so you need to be very careful of any approaching cars. Continue until you pass the signs marking the Oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire border. Just past these, take a right onto a footpath that also forms part of the Piddington circular walk.

• Muswell Hill Ascent: Follow the path north-west to begin the steady climb up Muswell Hill (Buckinghamshire). As you reach the top, you will enter the geological SSSI area.

• Private Drive: At the top of the hill, cross over the road and take the footpath on the left that follows a private drive. As you walk along the drive, look to your right and you will be able to see the trig pillar poking up over the top of the hill. When you turn the corner on the private drive, look out for the footpath on the right: there is a stile to climb over the fence.

• Panoramic Views: Take time at the summit of Muswell Hill to enjoy the 360-degree views across the Vale of Aylesbury and toward the Oxfordshire border.

• Return to Brill: After the trig pillar, keep walking in the same direction diagonally across the field to the stile in the corner. Earlier, take a left and follow the road all the way back to the Windmill to complete the loop.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

• Brill Windmill: Built around 1685, this is one of the best-preserved examples of a "post mill" in the UK. Its timber frame is Grade II* listed and offers a direct link to the village's agricultural past.

• Muswell Hill (Buckinghamshire): A 0.2-hectare geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is significant for its early Cretaceous sandstones and ironstones, providing a window into the area’s prehistoric environment.

• The Brill Tramway Terminus: The route passes the site of Brill’s former tramway terminus. Remarkably, until 1935 this quiet hilltop was linked by the Metropolitan Railway all the way to Baker Street in central London.

• Tolkien Connection: Scholars note that Tolkien drew inspiration for the village of Bree from Brill—both linguistically (“hill‑hill”) and from his familiarity with the area during his Oxford years.

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A winter’s day in Bisham Wood

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Start & Finish: The Golden Ball Pub and Kitchen, 2 Golden Ball Lane, Maidenhead, SL6 6NW
Distance: 6.9 km (4.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 77m
Terrain: Quiet village lanes, woodland tracks through ancient beech woods, and field-edge footpaths.
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Maidenhead Boundary Walk, Maidenhead Millennium Walk, Maidenhead Commons Trail, The Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop
Other routes touched (cycle): Round Berkshire Cycle Route
OS Trig Pillar: TP5638 - Resr Mount Hill (On private property and not visible from the public right of way)
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Golden Ball at the start and finish
Map: Chiltern Hills East Map | High Wycombe, Maidenhead & Rickmansworth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 172
Links: National Trust Maidenhead and Cookham Commons. Cookham Dean, Bisham Woods, Cookham, Kenneth Grahame, Wind in the Willows

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This circular route offers a delightful journey through the rolling landscape of Berkshire and the edges of the Chilterns. The trail takes you through a beautiful combination of ancient woodland and open commons, providing a real sense of peace as you move between the sheltered forest tracks and elevated village paths. It is a perfect choice for those who enjoy a varied landscape within a relatively compact distance.

Walking Directions

For this walk we parked on Golden Ball Lane near the pub of the same name. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

• Start at The Golden Ball: Begin at the pub on Golden Ball Lane and head east. Cross over Winter Hill Road to continue onto Malders Lane.

• Enter the Old Brick Works: Shortly on your right, enter the National Trust Old Brick Works. Follow the trail down to the pond, circling it to the east before taking the exit path on the right that runs along its eastern edge back up to Malders Lane.

• Cross to the Fields: Turn right on Malders Lane for approximately 150m. At the junction of the Maidenhead Boundary and Millennium walks, take a left to head north across the open field.

• Long Lane Crossing: Upon reaching the driveway at the 2km mark (Copas Brothers property), turn right and follow it to Long Lane. Cross directly over to Spring Lane and continue north.

• Village Navigation: Turn left onto Pudseys Close. Follow this west, cross Church Road, and traverse the village green to reach Hollybush Lane.

• Into the Woods: Cross Bigfrith Lane onto Hackett Lane. Follow it to the very end where it enters the ancient canopy of Bisham Woods.

• The Woodland Loop: Follow the main tracks in an anti-clockwise curve. You will pass through High Wood and Inkydown Wood before entering Park Wood and finally Goulding Wood.

• The Return: The path exits the southern corner of Goulding Wood onto Marlow Road. Turn right to return to the junction with Golden Ball Lane.

• Finish: Complete the circular route back at The Golden Ball pub for refreshments.
  
  

If you’re feeling adventurous and a bit tresspassy you could bag the Resr Mount Hill OS Trig Pillar. It’s next to the top of the reservoir on Thames Water Property. The locked gate to the driveway up to it is off Pudseys Close. We had a look but decided not to risk it that day.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

• National Trust Old Brick Works: A hidden gem of industrial archaeology. These former clay pits now form a peaceful woodland area and pond, managed for wildlife.

• Cookham Dean: This picturesque village is the start and end of your journey. Known for its historic charm and as the childhood home of Kenneth Grahame, the author of The Wind in the Willows, it sets a classic English tone for the walk.

• Bisham Woods: A significant portion of the route passes through these ancient woods. They are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and offer a stunning canopy of beech and oak trees, particularly vibrant during the autumn months.

• Quarry Wood: As you transition through the woodland areas, you will pass through sections of Quarry Wood. These slopes provide atmospheric walking paths and occasional glimpses through the trees toward the Thames Valley.

• Winter Hill: Although the main trail stays largely within the woods and village fringes, the route skirts the area near Winter Hill, offering potential for expansive views across the River Thames toward Marlow.

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If you’ve searched for or stumbled across this page then you probably already know what an OS Trig Pillar is. If you don’t then this article from the Ordnance Survey is a good place to start.

Over 6,000 Trig Pillars were erected across the country from 1936 to 1962. The first known person to have visited all of them was Rob Woodall who completed his 14-year personal quest in April 2016. At the time of writing this I’ve also been visiting Trig Pillars for over 14 years but so far I’ve bagged less than 5%. While I don’t have the need to bag them all, I’d be happy with an “interesting 10%”. These would include all of the pillars on the UK County Tops and, as it’s close to home, all of South East England. After a geeky pub conversation somewhere in Scotland after a County Top climb, I also took an interest in the extremes: the oldest, the newest, the furthest north, east, south and west. This post shows the results of my research so far into what are those extreme Trig Pillars.

Let me know if you have any corrections to the information on this page or any suggestions for other extreme Trig Pillars. I’ll donate £1 to one of the outdoor causes that I support for any edit made.

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Trig Pillar Compass Club

The spreadsheet below shows the same Trig Pillars as in the map above. Note that those highlighted in yellow are ones that I’m less confident in. Comment below if you can confirm or correct any of these.

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Other Extremes

• First Trig Pillar installed: TP0256 - Cold Ashby, Northamptonshire. Installed on April 18th 1936. See article

• Last Trig Pillar installed: TP6459 - Thorny Gale, Cumbria. Installed on 4th June 1962.

• Highest Trig Pillar: TP1289 - Ben Nevis, Scotland. 1,344m elevation. See blog post.

• Lowest Trig Pillar: TP4449 - Little Ouse, Norfolk. -1m elevation.

• Most Remote: TP6131 - St Kilda. 35miles north west of North Uist in the Western Isles.

• Longest time missing (England): TP4355 - Langstone - 78 years. Destroyed August 1945 by erosion & refound in shingle more or less intact Aug 2023.

• Longest time missing (Wales): TP7409 - Crug Yr Afan - 70 years. Destroyed in June 1937 and its remains were rediscovered in November 2006.

• Longest time missing (Scotland): TP5490 - Polloktown - 43 years.

• Most travelled from original location: TP3015 - Eastwood moved from Rayleigh Essex to Diss in Norfolk.

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Thanks to Mark Brace and Ross Lockley for their contributions to this page.

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Descent from the southern side of Worcestershire Beacon with view to Herefordshire Beacon (British Camp)

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Significance: Highest peak in Worcestershire (Historic County Top), Malvern Hills National Landscape
Member of: Marilyn, Hardy
Parent Peak: Hergest Ridge
Nearest higher Neighbour: Titterstone Clee Hill
Elevation: 425m
Date climbed: 19th April 2014 and 9th August 2025
Coordinates: 52°06′17″N 2°20′25″W

Route Start: Malvern Clock Tower, North Malvern Road, Malvern, WR14 4ND
Route Finish: British Camp Car Park, A449, Great Malvern, Malvern, WR13 6DW
Route Distance: 8.6 km (5.3 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +346m /- 249m. Net 97m
Subsidiary tops on route: End Hill (328m), North Hill (398m), Table Hill (375m), Sugarloaf Hill (369m), Summer Hill (383m), Perseverance Hill (324m), Jubilee hill (328m), Pinnacle Hill (358m), Black Hill (317m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Geopark Way, Three Choirs Way, Worcestershire Way
Other routes touched (cycle): none
OS Trig Pillar: TP0724 - Malvern
Cafe / pubs on route: Cafe H20 or The Wyche Inn (just off route at 4.93km in), The Malvern Hills Hotel & Restaurant or Sally's Place at the end
Map: OS Explorer Map (190) Malvern Hills & Bredon Hill
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir), Walking the County High Points of England (David Bathurst)
Links: Wikipedia (Worcestershire), Wikipedia (Worcestershire Beacon), Peakbagger

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Worcestershire Beacon was an early bag for us in our UK County Tops mission. We were in Malvern to visit some friends and did the short 2.5 km out-and-back from the Beacon Road Car Park at Upper Wyche. It was a nice walk on a windy April day but it was always at the back of my mind to return one day to do the Malvern Ridge Properly. So, 11 years later, we returned for a long weekend to celebrate our anniversary and walk the northern half of the Ridge.

We were staying at the Malvern Hills Hotel at the end of the walk. It’s conveniently positioned at the base of Black Hill, the final summit of the northern half of the ridge. We were pleasantly surprised to that there was a good Uber service in town and we only had to wait 10 minutes to get picked up for the 15 minute drive to the Clock Tower.

From the Clock Tower walk up North Malvern Road in a north-westerly direction until you pass the town sign for West Malvern. Just before the road bends cross over to the left hand side to take the track up into the ridge. Soon the tree line will clear and you’ll already have spectacular views. Continue south to ascend to the first summit of End Hill. Table Hill is the next obvious summit heading south, but this route takes a left shortly after end Hill to scale North Hill before a sharp westerly turn to take in Table Hill. Continue heading south to summit Sugarloaf Hill then continue to the summit of Worcestershire Beacon.

Worcestershire Beacon is the highest point in the Historic County of Worcestershire. I also heard that there’s nothing higher to the east until the Ural Mountains in Russia. I’m not completely convinced of that so post a comment below if you know of a reliable source. The "Beacon" in it’s name points to its long-standing use as a crucial signaling point. The hill was part of a chain of warning fires lit to alert the country of the approaching Spanish Armada in 1588. This tradition continued for centuries, with fires being lit for national celebrations like Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and the Millennium.

The section south of the Beacon to Upper Wyche is the busiest part of the walk with many doing the short out-and-back from the car park as we did 11 years before. If you’re bagging all of the summits remember to take in Summer Hill rather than following the main path around it.

Wyche Road at Upper Wyche is the only road crossing on the route at a little over half way. We were very happy to meet an ice cream van on the very hot day that we were there. There’s also a pub and cafe near the crossing and public toilets near the start of the ascent to Perseverance Hill.

This second half of the route has fewer people and is an easier section with gentler climbs between the summits. After Perseverance Hill you’ll pass over Jubilee Hill. Pinnacle Hill and Black Hill before descending to the end point at the Malvern Hills Hotel and British Camp car park on the A449. If you’re not ready to finish walking for the day you can rest a while here then take in the short circular up to Herefordshire Beacon. Scroll down for details.

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Bonus Walk: Herefordshire Beacon and Millennium Hill

Route Start and Finish: British Camp Car Park, A449, Great Malvern, Malvern, WR13 6DW
Route Distance: 2.4 km (1.5 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 83m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Three Choirs Way
Other routes touched (cycle): none
Map: OS Explorer Map (190) Malvern Hills & Bredon Hill
Links: Wikipedia: (Herefordshire Beacon / British Camp), Peakbagger: (Herefordshire Beacon / Millennium Hill)

If you’ve been following the main route above you’ll see Herefordshire Beacon in the distance for much for the walk. It’s distinguishable by a flat grassy top and ringed by earthworks. Summiting it plus Millennium Hill at the end of the plateau is a short, steep but rewarding walk either as an add on to the main ridge walk or a short walk in it’s own right.

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OTHER HIGH POINT IN Worcesterhire

• Rednal Hill North Top (250m) Birmingham Unitary Authority High Point: Peakbagger

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Devil’s Punchbowl

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The Greensand Way is a magnificent long-distance footpath that stretches for 108 miles (173 km) across the beautiful landscapes of Surrey and Kent in southeast England. From its western starting point in Haslemere, Surrey, the trail meanders eastward, culminating near Hamstreet in Kent, close to the edge of the Romney Marsh.

True to its name, the route predominantly follows the prominent Greensand Ridge, a geological feature that rises distinctly from the surrounding clay vales. This provides walkers with an incredibly varied and rewarding experience. You'll traverse ancient woodlands, including sections of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, both celebrated for their natural beauty and ecological significance. The trail also passes through charming villages, open farmland, and areas of heathland, offering ever-changing vistas.

One of the defining characteristics of the Greensand Way is the breathtaking views it affords from its elevated position. From various points along the ridge, particularly in Surrey, you can often enjoy expansive panoramas across the Weald to the south, and northwards towards the more distant North Downs. The trail is well-marked with its distinctive Greensand Way logo, making it relatively easy to navigate, though its undulating nature with frequent ascents and descents can provide a good workout for walkers and runners alike.

Beyond the natural beauty, the Greensand Way is rich in history and heritage. You'll encounter historic churches, ancient castles and picturesque villages with traditional pubs, perfect for a refreshment stop. The trail also links to other significant walking routes, offering opportunities for longer adventures. Whether tackling the entire route over several days or enjoying shorter sections, the Greensand Way provides a fantastic opportunity to explore some of southern England's most picturesque and historically significant landscapes.

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Point to Point: Walking the Greensand Way in the Surrey Hills

Start: Start of the Greensand Way at alley to the left of 43 High Street, Haslemere, GU27 2LA
Finish: Oxted Station, Oxted, RH8 9EU
Distance: 88 km (55 miles)
Elevation change: + 1,479m / - 1,522m. Net -46m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Maps:
- Haslemere & Petersfield Map | Midhurst & Selborne | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL33
- Guildford & Farnham Map | Godalming & Farnborough | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 145
- Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate Map | Leatherhead & Caterham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 146
Links: LDWA: Greensand Way, Surrey County Council: Greensand Way, Wikipedia: Greensand Way
See individual section posts linked below for other links.

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Walking the Greensand Way in the Surrey Hills in 20 walks

If you’re not up for a 88 km walk in one go, you can take in the Greensand Way in the Surrey Hills in 20 walks of between 7 and 11 km each. We chose this option, completing all 20 sections over 2 years from 2022 to 2023. The advantage of this option is exploring more of the villages and side paths close to the route.

Each number refers to a circular walk below. Base map: Esri Topo via RideWithGPS

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Section 1: Haslemere and Hindhead

• Start & Finish: Start of the Greensand Way at alley to the left of 43 High Street, Haslemere, GU27 2LA

• Alternative Start: National Trust Devil's Punchbowl Car Park, Thursley, Hindhead, GU26 6AG

• Distance: 9.8 km (6.1 miles)

• Elevation change: +/- 231m

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Section 2: Devils Punchbowl and Thursley

• Start & Finish: National Trust Devil's Punchbowl Car Park, Thursley, Hindhead, GU26 6AG

• Distance: 11.1 km (6.9 miles)

• Elevation change: +/- 199m

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Section 3: Thursley and Witley Park

• Start & Finish: St Michael and All Angels Church, Thursley, Godalming, GU8 6QQ

• Distance: 10.9 km (6.8 miles)

• Elevation change: +/- 163m

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Section 4: Witley and Hambledon

• Start & Finish: Hambledon Church, 1 Church Lane, Hambledon, Godalming, GU8 4DS

• Distance: 9 km (5.6 miles)

• Elevation change: +/- 124m

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Section 5: Hydon’s Ball and Holloways Heath

• Start & Finish: National Trust - Hydon's Ball and Heath car park, Salt Lane, Godalming, GU8 4BB

• Distance: 9.3 km (5.8 miles)

• Elevation change: +/- 172m

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Section 6: Winkworth and Hascombe

• Start & Finish: Free parking opposite the White Horse Pub, The Street, Hascombe, Godalming GU8 4JA

• Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)

• Elevation change: +/- 179m

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Section 7: Shamley Green and Grafham

• Start & Finish: Shamley Green Christ Church, Church Hill, Shamley Green, Guildford, GU5 0UD

• Distance: 10.3 km (6.4 miles)

• Elevation change: +/- 107m

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Section 8: Winterfold Wood and Reynards Hill

• Start & Finish: Hurtwood Car Park 3, Pitch Hill, Cranleigh, GU6 7NL

• Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)

• Elevation change: +/- 204m

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Section 9: Pitch Hill and Holmbury Hill

• Start & Finish: Hurtwood Car Park 3, Pitch Hill, Cranleigh, GU6 7NL

• Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles),

• Elevation change: +/- 239m

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Section 10: Leith Hill and Broadmoor

• Start & Finish: Starveall Car Park, Leith Hill Rd, Dorking, RH5 6LU

• Distance: 10.3 km (6.4 miles)

• Elevation Change: +/- 206m

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Section 11: Westcott and Bury Hill

• Start & Finish: Holy Trinity Westcott, Logmore Lane, Westcott, Dorking RH4 3NN

• Distance: 9 km (5.6 miles)

• Elevation change: +/- 163m

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Section 12: The Nower and Dorking

• Start & Finish: Reigate Road Car Park, 9 Reigate Rd, Dorking RH4 1SN

• Distance: 10.8 km (6.7 miles)

• Elevation change: +/- 222m

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Section 13: Brockham and Betchworth

• Start & Finish: St Michael's Church, The Street, Betchworth, RH3 7DN

• Distance: 10.4 km (6.5 miles)

• Elevation change: +/- 149m

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Section 14: Betchworth and Reigate Heath

• Start & Finish: St Michael's Church, The Street, Betchworth, RH3 7DN

• Distance: 9.6 km (5.9 miles)

• Elevation change: +/- 98m

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Section 15: Reigate and Redhill Common

• Start & Finish: Bell St Car Park, 83 Bell Street, Reigate, RH2 7AN

• Distance: 9.1 km (5.6 miles)

• Elevation change: +/- 136m

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Section 16: Earlswood and Nutfield Priory

• Start & Finish: St John the Evangelist Church, Redhill, Church Rd, Redhill, RH1 6QA

• Distance: 8.8 km (5.5 miles)

• Elevation change: +/- 165m

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Section 17: Nutfield and Bletchingley

• Start & Finish: High Street, Bletchingley, Redhill, RH1 4PA

• Distance: 9.9 km (6.1 miles)

• Elevation change: +/- 164m

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Section 18: Bletchingley and Godstone

• Start & Finish: High Street, Bletchingley, Redhill, RH1 4PA

• Distance: 10.4 km (6.5 miles)

• Elevation change: +/- 143m

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Section 19: Tandridge and Oxted

• Start & Finish: Oxted Station, Oxted, RH8 9EU

• Distance: 10.6 km (6.6 miles)

• Elevation change: +/- 165m

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Section 20: Oxted and Limpsfield

• Start & Finish: Oxted Station, Oxted, RH8 9EU

• Distance: 11.2 km (7 miles)

• Elevation change: +/- 142m

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Tilford Bridge

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Start and Finish: Parking on Tilford Green, 2 Tilford Street, Tilford, Farnham, GU10 2BN
Distance: 9.3 km (5.8 miles)
Elevation Change: +/- 170m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (walk): None
Other Routes Touched (cycle): Surrey Cycleway
OS Trig Pillar: TP2614 - Crooksbury Hill
Cafe / pubs on route: The Barley Mow Tilford (at start and end), The Barley Mow in The Sands (4.2 km in)
Map: Guildford & Farnham Map | Godalming & Farnborough | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 145
Links: River Wey, Tilford, Waverley, Waverley Abbey, Seale and Sands, Surrey’s Countryside: Medieval Waverley

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We did this walk as an epilogue to our Walking the River Wey and Wey Navigation series. In those 9 walks we followed the Wey from its confluence with the Thames at Weybridge to Eashing, the final place you can access via footpath. Further upstream to the south-east you’ll find Tilford, with a medieval bridge that spans the river near where it splits and leads to 2 different sources.

This walk is part of Surrey County Council’s “Surrey Countryside” walks and is well documented on their web-site. I won’t repeat anything here as it’s a great guide to the walk.

View fullsize

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River Wey Previous section: Walking the River Wey Part 9: Godalming and Eashing

The Wey Navigation near Byfleet

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The River Wey Navigation, often simply referred to as the Wey Navigation, is a remarkable feat of 17th-century engineering that transformed the natural course of the River Wey into a navigable waterway. Stretching for just under 20 miles (32 km) through the heart of Surrey, from Godalming to its confluence with the River Thames at Weybridge, it holds the distinction of being one of Britain's first truly successful navigations. Opened in 1653, its creation predates many other well-known canals, making it a pioneering example of inland waterway transport and a vital artery for goods like timber, flour, and agricultural produce to reach London.

Unlike many later canals that involved extensive cutting and embankment, the Wey Navigation largely followed the natural river course, enhanced by a series of 17 locks, weirs, and cuts. This blend of natural river and engineered improvements allowed barges to bypass shallow sections and rapids, ensuring a reliable transport route. The infrastructure along the navigation is a testament to the ingenuity of its original builders, with many of the locks, lock houses, and associated buildings retaining their historic character. Walking or cycling along its towpaths offers a picturesque journey through diverse landscapes, from tranquil water meadows and ancient woodlands to the fringes of bustling towns like Guildford.

Today, the Wey Navigation is no longer a commercial highway but has found a new life as a cherished recreational asset. Managed by the National Trust since 1968, it provides a haven for wildlife and a tranquil escape for visitors. Boating, canoeing, and paddleboarding are popular activities, offering a unique perspective of the Surrey countryside. Anglers enjoy its well-stocked waters, and birdwatchers are often rewarded with sightings of kingfishers, herons, and various waterfowl.

Beyond its recreational appeal, the Wey Navigation serves as a living museum, offering insights into the industrial past of Surrey. Many of the old wharves and warehouses can still be seen, hinting at the bustling trade that once flowed along its waters. Interpretive boards along the route provide snippets of its history, and the National Trust actively works to conserve its heritage, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy this historic waterway. Whether you're interested in engineering history, wildlife, or simply a peaceful day out, the Wey Navigation offers a rich and rewarding experience, connecting communities with nature and a fascinating past.

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Point to Point: Walking the Wey Navigation

Start: Thames Lock, Jessamy Road, Weybridge, KT13 8LG
Finish: Godalming Station, Station Approach, Godlaming, GU7 1EU
Distance: 32.5 km (20.2 miles)
Elevation change: + 146m / - 111m. Net -35m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Maps:
- OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
- Guildford & Farnham Map | Godalming & Farnborough | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 145
Links: LWDA: Wey Navigations, Wikipedia: Wey and Godalming Navigations, National Trust: River Wey and Godalming Navigations
See individual section posts linked below for other links.

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Walking the Wey Navigation and River Wey in 9 walks

If you’re not up for a 32 km walk in one go, you can take in the Wey Navigation and River Wey in 9 walks of between 7 and 12 km each. We chose this option, completing all 9 sections over 2 years from 2024 to 2025. Two of the walks are point-to-point with an easy rail connection from the finish back to the start. The others are circular walks from good parking spots. The final section follows the River Wey beyond the end of the Wey Navigation to Eashing, the final point where you can walk next to the river.

Each number refers to a circular walk below. Base map: Esri Topo via RideWithGPS

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Part 1: Weybridge and Desborough Island

• Start & Finish: Churchfield Car Park, Churchfield Road, Weybridge, KT13 8DB

• Distance: 8.4 km (5.2 miles)

• Elevation Change: +/- 34m

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Part 2: Weybridge Locks and Levels Trail

• Start & Finish: Churchfield Car Park, Churchfield Road, Weybridge, KT13 8DB

• Distance: 7.3 km (4.5 miles)

• Elevation Change: +/- 43m

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Part 3: New Haw and Byfleet

• Start / Finish: Weybridge Railway Station, Station Approach, Weybridge, KT13 8UD

• Distance: 7.3 km (4.5 miles)

• Elevation Change: +/- 28m

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Part 4: Byfleet and Wisley

• Start & Finish: High Road Parking, 10 High Road, Byfleet, West Byfleet, KT14 7QG

• Distance: 8.1 km (5 miles)

• Elevation Change: +/- 33m

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Part 5: Canons and Cornmills

• Start & Finish: Ripley High Street, Ripley, Woking, GU23 6AN

• Distance: 8.6 km (5.3 miles)

• Elevation Change: +/- 50m

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Part 6: Newark Lane and Send

• Start & Finish: Newark Lane Car Park, Ripley, Woking, GU23 7ES

• Distance: 9.7 km (6 miles)

• Elevation Change: +/- 39m

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Part 7: Worplesdon to Guildford

• Start: Worplesdon Station, Woking, GU22 0RN

• Finish: Guildford Station, Guildford GU1 4UT

• Distance: 11.9 km (7.4 miles)

• Elevation Change: +/- 52m

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Part 8: Guildford to Godalming

• Start: Guildford Station, Guildford GU1 4UT

• Finish: Godalming Station, Godalming GU7 1EU

• Distance: 8.9 km (5.5 miles)

• Elevation Change: +49m / - 42m. Net +7m

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Part 9: Godalming and Eashing

• Start and Finish: Crown Court Car Park, 41 The Burys, Godalming, GU7 1HR

• Alternative Start and Finish: Godalming Station, Godalming GU7 1EU

• Distance: 8.2 km (5.1 miles)

• Elevation Change: +/- 90m

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Epilogue: Medieval Waverley

• Start and Finish: Parkin on Tilford Green, 2 Tilford Street, Tilford, Farnham, GU10 2BN

• Distance: 9.3 km (5.8 miles)

• Elevation Change: +/- 170m

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The Trig Pillar that stands in place of the northern Cannon

For anyone who has ever consulted an Ordnance Survey map, the precision and detail are immediately apparent. But few might realise that the foundations of this remarkable mapping endeavour lie in meticulously measured "baselines," and one of the most historically significant of these is the Salisbury Plain Baseline.

Established in 1794 by Captain William Mudge of the Royal Artillery, under the nascent Board of Ordnance (the precursor to today's Ordnance Survey), the Salisbury Plain Baseline was a crucial component of the "Principal Triangulation of Great Britain." This ambitious project aimed to accurately map the entire British Isles, driven in part by military considerations during a period of threatened French invasion.

The baseline on Salisbury Plain stretched for approximately 11.2 km between a point near Old Sarum Castle and Beacon Hill, east of Amesbury. The measurement was an incredibly painstaking process for the time. Surveyors used meticulously calibrated 100-foot steel chains, taking into account factors like temperature changes and the Earth's curvature. To mark the precise ends of this vital line, cannons were buried muzzle-up at both locations one of which can still be found today near Old Sarum, a testament to the enduring legacy of this work.

The significance of the Salisbury Plain Baseline cannot be overstated. By accurately measuring this fundamental distance, Mudge and his team could then use a large, precise theodolite (an instrument for measuring angles) to establish a network of triangles across the country. Through trigonometry, the precise positions of hundreds of landmarks could be determined, forming the bedrock for all subsequent, more detailed local surveys. The accuracy achieved by these early surveyors was remarkable; it's estimated that Mudge's overall survey across Britain was no more than 20 metres out compared to modern GPS measurements. The Salisbury Plain Baseline, therefore, stands as a tangible monument to the dawn of systematic, scientific mapping in Britain, a pivotal step in creating the detailed maps we rely on today.

Further Reading: Principal Triangulation of Great Britain

The Baseline route

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I discovered the Hounslow Baseline in 2018 and cycled between the 2 cannons in Kingston and Heathrow. On discovering that there was another Baseline in Salisbury I was keen to cycle that too. I changed my plans when I discovered that you can’t cycle very close to the line itself. The route, which I drove instead, takes you along the busy A345, through Amesbury then onto the even busier A335 dual carriageway. Driving is much safer and there’s free parking spaces a short way from each cannon.

Salisbury Plain Baseline Cannon South

To access the southern cannon there’s a layby suitable for 5 cars opposite the Harvester Old Sarum Castle on Castle Road. If you’re visiting the Old Sarum English Heritage site you can also use their large car park although there is a charge.

Cross over the road to the eastern side and walk along the pavement in a northerly direction for approximately 500 metres until you reach the welcome to Salisbury sign. You’ll see the Mapping Monument Stone on the right of the pavement. Look behind the Monument Stone and you should be able to see the top of the Cannon poking up through the earth in the maize field. Some reports on Trigpointing say that they couldn’t see the Cannon due to hedge overgrowth or crops in the field but it was clearly visible on the day in July that I went.

Trigpointing.uk record: TP7570 - Salisbury Plain Baseline South

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Salisbury Plain Baseline Cannon North

After the southern cannon drive north along the A345, then onto the A335 heading east after Amesbury. Shortly after the A3028 joins the road, pull into the small parking space at the side of the road. Be very careful getting out of the car here as it’s a very fast road.

Take the path on the left just east of the parking space and follow it up to the top of the hill. After ~650m you’ll reach the Trig Pillar, just off the main path. The Trig Pillar stands in place of the original cannon. From the pillar you can get great views across to Salisbury to the south-west.

Trigpointing.uk record: TP8928 - Salisbury Plain Baseline North
Trigpointing.uk record: TP0742 - Beacon Hill
Peakbagger record: Beacon Hill, England

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See also: Cycling the River Crane and Hounslow Baseline

Telegraph Hill is generally understood to be the highest point in the New Forest National Park. However, other sources list the high point as Piper’s Wait which is 0.5m higher. I had only discovered Piper’s Wait after having bagged Telegraph Hill, so I had to return a couple of years later to complete them both.

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Telegraph Hill

Significance: New Forest National Park high Point
Member of: N/A
Nearest Higher Neighbour = Farley Mount
Elevation: 127m
Date “climbed”: December 28th 2022
Coordinates: 50° 56' 57'' N, 1° 40' 37'' W
On route of: N/A
Map: New Forest Map | Southampton, Ringwood, Ferndown, Lymington, Christchurch & Bournemouth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL22
Links: Wikipedia (New Forest), Peakbagger

Bagging Telegraph Hill is pretty simple as the high ground is at and around the car park. The car park can be a good base for walk around the area. We were there on a rainy day just after Christmas so opted for a quick drive-by instead. Two nearby OS Trig Pillars, Pound Bottom and Bramshaw can be bagged in either a walk based from the Telegraph Hill car park or as quick drive-bys.

The name Telegraph Hill is due to a semaphore telegraph station built here in 1795. The station was one of the points where the admiralty communications were transmitted to London. This station was on the uncompleted London to Plymouth line.

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Piper’s Wait

Significance: New Forest National Park high Point (alternative)
Member of: N/A
Nearest Higher Neighbour = Farley Mount
Elevation: 128m
Date “climbed”: July 26th 2025
Coordinates: 50° 56' 52'' N, 1° 38' 53'' W
On route of: N/A
Map: New Forest Map | Southampton, Ringwood, Ferndown, Lymington, Christchurch & Bournemouth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL22
Links: Wikipedia (New Forest), Peakbagger

Piper’s Wait is an equally simple bag and worth doing in the same trip as it’s a very short drive from Telegraph Hill. There no need to wait 2.5 years between them like I did. Park at the Piper’s Wait Car Park, cross Forest Road and walk towards the reservoir. The natural high point is roughly half-way between the road and the reservoir. It’s very flat ground though, so use a GPS if you want to get to the exact point. It’s worth climbing up to the top of the reservoir for a better view.

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View to the south from Ockley Hill

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The North Downs Way is a National Trail that weaves its way for 153 miles (246 km) across the stunning landscapes of Surrey and Kent in southeast England. From its starting point in Farnham, Surrey, the trail extends eastward, culminating dramatically at the iconic White Cliffs of Dover in Kent. This well-marked route largely follows the chalk ridge of the North Downs, offering walkers a diverse range of terrain. You'll encounter ancient woodlands, chalk grasslands and panoramic views across the Weald.

Beyond its natural beauty, the North Downs Way is steeped in history. Sections of the trail closely trace the ancient Pilgrims' Way, a historic route used by pilgrims travelling to Canterbury Cathedral, famously immortalised in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Along the way, you'll encounter remnants of Roman roads, Norman castles like Rochester and Thurnham, and even Neolithic burial chambers such as Kit's Coty House. The trail passes through two designated National Landscape – the Surrey Hills and the Kent Downs – both recognised for their unique ecological importance and scenic charm. With excellent public transport links, including numerous train stations along its length, the North Downs Way is easily accessible, making it perfect for both multi-day expeditions and shorter day walks.

We completed the Surrey section of the North Downs Way in a series of 7 point-to-point walks over 2 years. This post details both the whole section through the Surrey Hills and links to the 7 individual sections. For further details there’s several books about the Trail and web resources including northdownsway.org and the National Trails’ site.

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Point to Point: The full North Downs Way in The Surrey Hills

Start: Farnham Station, Farnham, GU9 8AG
Finish: The Velo Barn, Unit 1, Betsoms Farm, Pilgrims Way, Westerham TN16 2DS
Distance: 75 km (46.6 miles)
Elevation change: + 1,272m / - 1,186m. Net -86m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Maps:
- Guildford & Farnham Map | Godalming & Farnborough | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 145
- Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate Map | Leatherhead & Caterham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 146
- Sevenoaks & Tonbridge Map | Royal Tunbridge Wells & Westerham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 147
Guidebook: The North Downs Way National Trail from Farnham to Dover (Cicerone)
Links: LDWA: North Downs Way, National Trails: North Downs Way, northdownsway.org
See individual section posts linked below for other links.

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Walking The North Downs Way in the Surrey Hills in 7 trips

If you’re not up for a 75km walk in one go, you can take in the North Downs in 7 point-to-point walks of between 9 and 13 km each. We chose this option, completing all 7 sections over a few years from 2021 to 2024.

Each number refers to a circular walk below. Base map: Esri Topo via RideWithGPS

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Section 1: Farnham to Puttenham

• Start: Farnham Station, Farnham, GU9 8AG

• Finish: The Good Intent Pub, 60-62 The Street, Puttenham, Guildford, GU3 1AR

• Distance: 10.6 km (6.6 miles)

• Elevation change: +118m / -100m. Net +8m

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Section 2: Puttenham to Newlands Corner

• Start: The Good Intent Pub, 60-62 The Street, Puttenham, Guildford, GU3 1AR

• Finish: Newlands Corner Car Park, A25 Shere Road, Newland's Corner, Albury, GU4 8S

• Distance: 12.8 km (7.9 miles)

• Elevation change: +256m / -181m. Net +75m

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Section 3: Newlands Corner to Ranmore

• Start: Newlands Corner Car Park, A25 Shere Road, Newland's Corner, Albury, GU4 8S

• Finish: Ranmore Common East Car Park, Wotton, Dorking, RH5 6SR

• Distance: 11.6 km (7.2 miles)

• Elevation change: +128m / -107m. Net -21m

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Section 4: Ranmore to Betchworth

• Start: Ranmore Common East Car Park, Wotton, Dorking, RH5 6SR

• Finish: Betchworth Station, Betchworth RH3 7BZ

• Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)

• Elevation change: +192m / -292m. Net -100m

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Section 5: Betchworth to Merstham

• Start: Betchworth Station, Betchworth RH3 7BZ

• Finish: Merstham Station, Station Rd, Merstham, Redhill, RH1 3ED

• Distance: 11.1 km (6.9 miles)

• Elevation change: +206m / -197m. Net -9m

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Section 6: Merstham to Gangers Hill

• Start: Merstham Station, Station Rd, Merstham, Redhill, RH1 3ED

• Finish: Gangers Hill Car Park, Gangers Hill, Woldingham, Godstone, CR3 7AD

• Distance: 11.8 km (7.3 miles)

• Elevation change: +270m / -140m. Net -130m

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Section 7: Gangers Hill to Westerham Hill

• Start: Gangers Hill Car Park, Gangers Hill, Woldingham, Godstone, CR3 7AD

• Finish: The Velo Barn, Unit 1, Betsoms Farm, Pilgrims Way, Westerham TN16 2DS

• Distance: 9.1 km (5.6 miles)

• Elevation change: +161m / -216m. Net -55m

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If you’ve searched for or stumbled across this page then you probably already know what an OS Trig Pillar is. If you don’t then this article from the Ordnance Survey is a good place to start.

There were 30 OS Trig Pillars built in Greater London of which 24 are still in place. Of these some are on private land and are visible from a distance but not reachable. There’s a further 14 Trig Pillars that are outside of Greater London but inside of the M25. Special mention goes to TP9117 North Ockenden which is inside Greater London but outside of the M25.

I completed my mission to visit all accessible and visible Trig Pillars within Greater London and the M25. The definition of accessible is somewhat subjective though as some that I’ve listed as accessible are just off the public right of way. Looking at the logs, there’s others who have successfully bagged ones I’ve listed as inaccessible but I’ve taken a more risk-averse approach and avoided trespassing, causing damage or scaring animals. Always check the logs on Trigpointing.uk to see how easy it is to access a pillar.

The Map

Click on each icon to see the Trig Pillar name and a link to the page on Trigpointing.uk

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The Spreadsheet

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The Photos: Greater London Trig Pillars

No photo for TP5676 - Riddles Down

TP0884 - Arkley Resr

TP0425 - Banbury Resr

TP1037 - Barn Hill

TP1252 - Belmont

TP0432 - Berwick Pond Road

TP2145 - Chessington

TP7121 - Dagnam Park New

TP2802 - Dog Kennel Hill

TP3311 - Garland Hill

TP3939 - Hilly Fields

TP4024 - Horsenden Hill

TP4122 - Islips Manor Park

TP4218 - King George V Resr

TP4378 - Layhams Farm

TP5231 - One Tree Hill Recreation Ground

TP5486 - Pole Hill

TP5488 - Pollards Hill

TP5674 - Richmond Park

TP5724 - Romford Common

TP6393 - The Kiln

TP6515 - Tomkyns

The Photos: Inside M25 but outside of Greater London Trig Pillars

TP1536 - Botley Hill

TP2138 - Chelsham Court

TP3982 - Holmshill

TP4287 - Knockholt Beeches

TP5078 - Netherwild Farm

TP5210 - Ockley Hill

TP6700 - Wake Arms

TP6775 - Wattons Green

TP7054 - Woodoak Farm

TP6792 - Well Hill

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The Log Sheet

If you would like a PDF version of my manual Greater London OS Trig Pillars Log Sheet, please BuyMeACoffee and let me know on the Contact Page. It’s a table of all Greater London Trig Pillars, plus a separate page for those outside of London but inside the M25. You can track your date completed and there’s space for your own Notes. It’s simple and you could easily make one yourself, but let me know if you want a copy of mine. 20% of each virtual coffee goes to one of the Causes that I support and the rest goes toward the running of this website.

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See also: Cycling the River Crane and Hounslow Baseline

When we think of historical English counties, Kent often conjures images of Canterbury Cathedral, hop fields, and a rich maritime past. But dig a little deeper into its administrative history, and you'll uncover a fascinating and uniquely Kentish set of subdivisions: the Lathes. Similar in concept to Sussex's Rapes, but with an even more ancient lineage, the Lathes of Kent represent a remarkable glimpse into Anglo-Saxon governance and the enduring legacy of early English kingdoms.

The term "Lathe" is believed to derive from an Old English word, possibly related to "læth," meaning a "division" or "district." These were large administrative and judicial units that predate the Norman Conquest, likely evolving during the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Kent. Unlike the more uniform shires that became common across much of England, the Lathes were particular to Kent and functioned as significant regional groupings, each with its own local assembly (or moot) and a degree of administrative autonomy. They effectively served as a tier of governance between the individual hundred (a smaller administrative unit) and the county as a whole.

Historically, Kent was divided into five main Lathes, each stretching roughly from the coast inland:

• Sutton-at-Hone: The westernmost lathe, encompassing areas now part of Greater London.

• Aylesford: Centred on the ancient crossing point of the River Medway at Aylesford.

• Scray (or Shirley): A large central lathe, extending across much of mid-Kent.

• St Augustine: Named after St Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury, reflecting its ecclesiastical importance.

• Shepway: The southernmost lathe, bordering the coast and the Romney Marsh.

Having visited the high points of the Sussex Rapes in the previous year I set about visiting the high points of the Kent Lathes. I couldn’t find an established list of the Lathe High Points so I worked them out based on Trigpointing.uk and Peakbagger logs. Although I’m reasonably confident that these are the Lathe High Points, please leave a comment or reach me via the Contact form if you know of a different high point for any of the Lathes.

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Lathe of Sutton-at-Hone

Highest Point: Betsom’s Hill
OS Trig Pillar: N/A
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia, Wikishire, Peakbagger
Flag Image Source: British County Flags

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Lathe of Aylesford

Highest Point: Wrotham
OS Trig Pillar: TP7083 - Wrotham
Links: Blog Post, Wikishire, Peakbagger
Flag Image Source: British County Flags

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Lathe of Scray

Highest Point: Kingswood
OS Trig Pillar: TP4236 - Kingswood
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia, Wikishire
Flag Image Source: British County Flags

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Lathe of St Augustine

Highest Point: Farthingloe
OS Trig Pillar: TP3122 - Farthingloe
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia, Wikishire
Flag Image Source: British County Flags

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Lathe of Shepway

Highest Point: Paddlesworth
OS Trig Pillar: TP0449 - Paddlesworth
Links: Blog Post, Wikipedia, Wikishire
Flag Image Source: British County Flags

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Sources

• Lathe (county subdivision): Wikipedia

• The Lathes of Kent: Wikishire

• The Lathes of Kent. British County Flags

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View to the south from nearby the high point

Significance: Highest point in the Kent Lathe of Aylesford
Parent Peak: Botley Hill
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Toys Hill
Elevation: 235m
Date “climbed”: 12th July 2025
Coordinates: 51° 19' N, 0° 17' E

Route Start / End: On street parking in Stansted village on Labour-In-Vain road west of the junction with Plaxdale Green Road.
Route Distance: 2.5 km (1.6 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 31m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
OS Trig Pillar: TP7083 - Wrotham
Map: Maidstone & the Medway Towns Map | Kent Downs | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 148
Links: Wikipedia: Stansted, Wikishire: Lathe of Aylesford, Peakbagger

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I visited the Wrotham Trig Pillar as a part of a mission to bag the High Points of the Kent Lathes, the historic sub-divisions of Kent. I couldn’t find an established list of the Lathe High Points so I worked them out based on Trigpointing.uk and Peakbagger logs. I’m pretty sure that Wrotham is the high point of the Lathe of Aylesford but please let me know if you think that the high point is somewhere else.

This is a short out-and-back walk from a parking space in Stansted village on Labour-In-Vain road west of the junction with Plaxdale Green Road. Walk south-east along Labour-in-Vain road, past the Hilltop Restaurant, then take the footpath on the right that crosses the A20. Continue along the footpath across the field and cross the bridge over the M20. Take the first footpath on the right to head in a south-westerly direction.

I was there in mid-summer and there were narrow, nettle-filled bushes surrounding the path but it was just about passable. Longer trousers and secateurs may have helped but it was OK apart from taking home a few scratches. There’s a lot of paths around the area and they didn’t exactly match up with the map so using the GPX file was very helpful here. Eventually I found the pillar in the middle of a thorny bush on the edge of a field.

Return via the same route, taking in the long views to the south.

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Significance: Highest point in the Lathe of Shepway
Elevation: 187m
Date “climbed”: 12th July 2025
Coordinates: 51°06'46.0"N 1°08'30.3"E
OS Trig Pillar: TP0449 - Paddlesworth
Map: Dover, Folkestone & Hythe Map | England Coast Path | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 138
Links: Wikipedia: (Lathe of Shepway, Paddlesworth), Wikishire: Lathe of Shepway

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I visited the Paddlesworth Trig Pillar as a part of a mission to bag the High Points of the Kent Lathes, the historic sub-divisions of Kent. I couldn’t find an established list of the Lathe High Points so I worked them out based on Trigpointing.uk and Peakbagger logs. I’m pretty sure that Paddlesworth is the high point of the Lathe of Shepway but please let me know if you think that the high point is somewhere else.

This is a very quick drive-by bag. The pillar is in the grounds of a reservoir at the end of Fisher’s Lane in Paddlesworth. It’s private property but the pillar is very close to the gate. Easy to take a photo from a short distance or to hop over the gate to reach it.

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View to Aycliffe and Dover Harbour from the descent from Farthingloe

Significance: Highest point in the Kent Lathe of St. Augustine
Elevation: 182m
Date “climbed”: July 12th 2025
Coordinates: 51°12'42.1"N 0°53'51.2"E

Route Start / End: On-street parking at junctions of St David’s Avenue and Old Folkestone Road, Aycliffe, Dover, CT17 9HJ, Kent
Route Distance: 1.8 km (1.1 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 66m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): none
OS Trig Pillar: TP3122 - Farthingloe
Map: Dover, Folkestone & Hythe Map | England Coast Path | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 138
Links: Wikipedia: Lathe of St Augustine, Wikishire: Lathe of St. Augustine, Dover Historian: Farthingloe

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I visited the Farthingloe Trig Pillar as a part of a mission to bag the High Points of the Kent Lathes, the historic sub-divisions of Kent. I couldn’t find an established list of the Lathe High Points so I worked them out based on Trigpointing.uk and Peakbagger logs. I’m pretty sure that Farthingloe is the high point of the Lathe of St. Augustine but please let me know if you think that the high point is somewhere else.

This one can be a quick out-and-back if you know where to go. The area around the pillar is quite overgrown so be careful. Long trousers and secateurs are worth taking in the summer. If you’re driving there’s plenty of free on-street parking in Aycliffe.

From the corner of St. David’s Avenue and Old Folkestone Road take a path through a gate heading west then take the first footpath on the right to ascend the steep hill. Although the route up the the hill looks straight on the map you’ll need to navigate around and through bushes to get to the top. At the path junction take a left heading west.

The trig pillar is just off the path to the left. I missed it on the way out and ended up at the wheat field. The circle on the map below is where I ended up in some abandoned farm buildings in a thorny bush. It was an interesting accidental diversion but you don’t need to go that far.

The pillar is a rare English cylindrical one and the views from it, and the descent are well worth the scramble to it. Return to Aycliffe by the same route.

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Start & Finish: Parking at Dover Patrol Memorial, Granville Road, St Margarets Bay, St Margaret's at Cliffe, Dover, CT15 6DS
Distance: 5.5 km (3.5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 83m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Saxon Shore Way, England Coast Path, St Margaret’s Frontline Britain Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 1
OS Trig Pillar: TP4009 - Hope Farm
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: Dover, Folkestone & Hythe Map | England Coast Path | Ordnance
Links: St Margaret's at Cliffe, Dover Patrol Memorial,

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This is a short walk near St Margaret's at Cliffe in Kent that visits the most south easterly OS Trig Pillar in the UK. If you’ve searched for or stumbled across this page then you probably already know what an OS Trig Pillar is. If you don’t then this article from the Ordnance Survey is a good place to start.

The walk starts at the Dover Patrol Memorial where there’s a small free car park. Walk in a south westerly direction away from the Memorial and look out for a brown footpath sign indicating the St Margaret’s Frontline Britain Trail just before you reach the houses. Follow this path in a north-westerly direction until you reach The Droveway (road). Take a left onto The Droveway then take the footpath on the right that takes you to Kingsdown Road. Take a right onto Kingdown Road to follow it in a north-easterly direction for 1.1 km. The road quickly becomes a track which is part of the NCN 1 cycle route.

Leave the track at the path into the Bockhill Farm National Trust property and follow the left hand edge of the field to a path junction. When you reach some open scrubland cut across the to find the Trig Pillar on the golf-course side of the boundary fence. After the Trig Pillar follow the fence to the south east then turn left to follow the boundary path between the golf course and the edge of the farm. Look back to see a good view of the Trig Pillar across the golf course. Continue in a north-easterly direction along the field'/golf-course boundary then take the path on the right that leads down to the coastal path. Take a right onto the coastal path to follow it all the way back to the Memorial.

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Significance: Highest point in the Kent Lathe of Scray
Elevation: 182m 
Date “climbed”: 11th July 2025
Coordinates: 51°12'42.1"N 0°53'51.2"E

Route Start / End: Kings Wood Car Park, Challock, Ashford TN25 4AR
Route Distance: 450m (0.3 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 3m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): N/A
OS Trig Pillar: TP4236 - Kingswood
Map: Ashford Map | Headcorn, Chilham and Wye | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 137
Links: Wikipedia: Lathe of Scray, Wikishire: Lathe of Scray, Forestry England: Kingswood

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I visited the Kingswood Trig Pillar as a part of a mission to bag the High Points of the Kent Lathes, the historic sub-divisions of Kent. I couldn’t find an established list of the Lathe High Points so I worked them out based on Trigpointing.uk and Peakbagger logs. I’m pretty sure that Kingswood is the high point of the Lathe of Scray but please let me know if you think that the high point is somewhere else.

This one is an easy drive-by bag from the Kingswood Forestry Commission Car Park. Take a left onto White Hill road and follow it for approx 150m. Enter the woods on the south side of the road and follow a faint path in the woods to find the Trig Pillar. You’ll notice a sign opposite the car park entrance saying “Private Wood. Keep Out”. I assume that this also covers the location of the Trig Pillar but it’s a very quick out-and back from the road without crossing any fences.

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Ascent to Macdui with Loch Morlich in the background

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Also Known As: Beinn Macduibh
Significance: Historic County Top for Aberdeenshire & Banffshire
Member of: UK County Tops, Scotland County/Unitary Authority High Points, Marilyns, Munros
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Ben Nevis 
Elevation: 1,309m
Date climbed: June 13th 2025
Coordinates: 57° 4' 14'' N, 3° 40' 9'' W

Route Start & Finish: Cairngorm Mountain Upper Cas Car Park, Aviemore, PH22 1RB
Route Distance: 17.4 km (10.8 miles)
Route Elevation change: +/- 1.027m
Subsidiary tops on route: Ben Macdui - North Top (1,295m), Cairn Lochan (1,215m), Stob Coire an t-Sneachda (1,176m), Cairn Gorm - Fiacaill a' Choire Chois (1,141m), Cairn Gorm (1,244m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Cairn Gorm Trail, Miadan Path
OS Trig Pillar: TP1286 - Ben Macdhui
Pubs / Cafes on route: Cairngorm Cafe at Cairngorm Mountain Base Station and at Ptarmigan Station
Map: Cairn Gorm & Aviemore: Sheet 403 (OS Explorer Map)
Links: Wikipedia: (Aberdeenshire / Banffshire / Ben Macdui), Peakbagger

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Ben Macdui is the Historic County Top for both Banffshire and Aberdeenshire and the 2nd highest of all of the UK County Tops. We bagged it in 2025 on our annual County Top weekend trip, along with the Historic County Tops of Nairnshire and Morayshire.

This was The Big One of our annual Scottish County Tops trips so far. Having worked our way through the southern Scottish summits it was now time to take on the 2nd highest summit in the UK. It was also the reason why we changed our trips from the end of September to mid-June. The Cairngorm plateau can be glorious in fine weather but dangerous in poor visibility. Moving to June would give us a highler chance of good weather and more hours of light to complete the trip. There’s several ways that you can approach Ben MacDui but we opted for a route that took in several other nearby peaks plus a trip on the Cairngorm Funicular.

Starting from the car park at the Cairngorm Mountain ski centre cross over the end of the ski runs to take the Cairn Gorm Trail in a south-westerly direction. After 4 km you’ll reach a split in the path where you’ll leave the Cairn Gorm Trail to keep on the Miadan Path heading south. You’ll reach the Trig Pillar at the summit of Ben Macdui after 8.5 km from the start.

At the summit we were grateful that we’d chosen to do the trip in June and that we had swapped from a rainy Saturday to a bright, dry Sunday. The views across the National Park were spectacular and made up for many cloudy ascents of UK high points in the past.

On a day of poor visibility the obvious route back would be to return the same way to the Base Station. As we had great weather and it was still early in the day we kept to our best-case plan and took the interesting route back, bagging more summits on the way. First up was Ben Macdui North-Top. This is just 700m from Ben Macdui summit and only 16m lower in elevation. From here you can decend carefully taking a north-westerly curve down the slope to rejoin the Miadan Path. Soon you’ll reach a split in the path where you’ll take the right-hand path heading north. At the 12 km mark leave the path to take a bearing up the slope to rejoin the Cairn Gorm Trail at the summit of Cairn Lochan.

After Cairn Lochan continue along the Cairn Gorm Trail in a north-easterly direction to the summit of Stob Coire an t-Sneachda then continue towards Cairn Gorm Mountain. Along the way you can take a minor diversion off the Trail to bag Fiacaill a' Choire Chois. After bagging Cairn Gorm, the 6th highest Munro, descend in a northerly direction to the Ptarmigan Station to visit the cafe, exhibition and the Funicular.

If you’re planning to take the Funicular check first that it’s running and don’t leave it too late in the day. We arrived an hour before the last train and were able to get onto one around 30 minutes after we arrived. If you miss the train or it’s not running you can also walk down via the Cairn Gorm Trail. Also note that you can only descend via the Funicular if you’ve been hiking as they don’t allow anyone out onto the hills if you’re using the train to ascend.

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