Ewhurst – Hiking at Pitch Hill

Ewhurst lies at the foot of Pitch Hill, between the North Downs and South Downs in the Surrey Weald. Pitch Hill, Hurtwood and Holmbury Hills are part of the Greensand Hills ridge. For hiking visitors, this landscape is a useful guide when choosing where to stay: the upper slopes of Pitch Hill feature a mix of heathland and scrubland, while deciduous oak and beech forests grow on the lower slopes. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Ewhurst, this landscape and the variety of walking routes can help you choose a destination that suits your interests.

Landscape and nature

The hills and forests offer a variety of impressions, including of the birdlife. In spring, woodpeckers can be heard in the oak forests; in summer, cuckoos and chiffchaffs. Whitethroats can also be found on the hills, where nightjars are sometimes heard. Nature enthusiasts can distinguish the clues by habitat and season: bird calls in the oak forests change between spring and summer, while the hills are home to additional species.

Hiking at Pitch Hill

In Sayers Croft Nature Reserve, a 1.25 km figure-of-eight loop passes through ancient oak woodland. The route goes past Coneyhurst Gill and partly follows an old Roman road. This gives the loop its own character: woodland, a stream and a stretch of historic route come together on a compact trail. Check the information posted at the site before your visit.

The fourth section of the Greensand Way offers a different kind of route. The six-mile walk runs from Gate Street Farm near Bramley or Grafham to Pitch Hill near Ewhurst. The section also leads to a viewing platform at the summit of Pitch Hill, from which you can pick out landmarks. When weighing up your options, you can choose between a short figure-of-eight loop and a longer route section ending at the summit.

The “Inspiring Views” walking trail follows a main path straight to the summit of Pitch Hill. It is another option for making the summit your hiking destination.

Village history and practical information

The village’s architectural history also shapes the area. The Church of St Peter and St Paul is a Grade I listed building. Ewhurst Windmill is a Grade II listed tower windmill dating from the early 19th century; it is now used as a private residence.

In the Ewhurst Conservation Area, at the northern end of the village, an open space includes a small green bordered by listed buildings and the Bulls Head pub. Ewhurst’s carnival grew out of a village flower show first held around 1904. Local history thus ranges from listed buildings to a festival whose origins lie in a village show.

For practical information, there is a public electric vehicle charging point behind the Bull's Head pub, which is part of the BP Pulse network. Check the latest information before using it: the network and availability may change.

Discover more destinations: Ottershaw, Cranleigh, Epsom, Dorking, Thames Ditton, Charlwood, Seale, Lingfield.

For the main travel overview: Surrey.