Hindhead: Heathland, woodland and the Devil’s Punch Bowl

If you are considering Hindhead as a destination for a stay, Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl are the main scenic highlights of the trip. Open heathland, ancient woodland, a natural amphitheatre and waymarked trails offer a range of ways to enjoy the outdoors. When choosing your destination, it is therefore helpful to distinguish between a short viewpoint route, a walking trail with notable stops and the longer long-distance trail.

Landscape, protected status and wildlife watching

Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl are part of the Wealden Heaths National Nature Reserve. Both are also designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and considered Sites of Special Scientific Interest. These designations provide context for the landscape; the visible contrasts between open heathland and ancient woodland define Hindhead Commons.

The Devil’s Punch Bowl is a natural amphitheatre and is considered the largest landform in Britain created by spring water. The distinctive shape of the terrain makes the place easy to understand without a lengthy description: the focus here is a natural landscape formation, not a built attraction.

At Hindhead Commons, you can look out for Exmoor ponies and grazing cattle. Wildlife and grazing patterns can vary seasonally, so animal sightings are not guaranteed. Those who enjoy observing landscapes and how they are managed will find an additional point of interest here, alongside the trails and viewpoints.

Trails on different scales

The Hidden Hindhead walking trail is well signposted and not particularly challenging. It passes Gibbet Hill and the Temple of the Four Winds, both of which offer excellent views. The route links named stops with viewpoints and is suitable for anyone who likes to plan their walk around specific destinations.

Another option is the 300-metre, accessible circular route from the car park to a sandstone viewing platform. Its short, clearly stated length and well-defined starting point set it apart from the signposted trail. Weather or maintenance work can affect the condition of the surfaces; check this before your visit if it matters for your plans.

The waymarked long-distance Greensand Way also passes through Hindhead Commons. It stretches for 108 miles through Surrey and Kent and begins in nearby Haslemere. This makes it a much longer route option than the 300-metre circular walk. The old A3 provides another scenic link: its traffic-free route runs from the Devil’s Punch Bowl to Hindhead Commons and serves as a wildlife corridor.

The Devil’s Punch Bowl loop goes around the Devil’s Punch Bowl and offers spectacular views across open heathland. Together with the named viewpoints on the Hidden Hindhead trail, it gives you different ways to take in the landscape. Information about length, landmarks and route helps you decide what kind of experience suits your stay, without treating the routes as interchangeable.

Culture and breaks at the Devil’s Punch Bowl

Local history is also part of the picture. Broom-making was a rural craft closely associated with the Devil’s Punch Bowl, and is now in decline. At the Devil’s Punch Bowl, HistoryScapes also offers an audio-guided walk featuring George Mayes as a historical guide. As digital offerings can change or be replaced, it is worth checking in advance whether this walk is still available.

The Devil’s Punch Bowl Café serves hot and cold drinks, soup, sandwiches, panini, cakes, flapjacks and pastries. The selection may change seasonally. Behind the café, there is a nature play trail, with activities that mainly involve climbing and balancing. If you plan to visit the trail, check that it is available before your visit.

A simple comparison of distances can help you choose between the trails: the 300-metre circular route is a short option with a stated distance; the Greensand Way is a 108-mile long-distance trail through two counties. The Hidden Hindhead trail offers a different focus, with Gibbet Hill and the Temple of the Four Winds. This can help you choose Hindhead based on whether a short circular walk, named viewpoints or a longer walking route matters most to you.

Discover more destinations

Copthorne, Frimley, Camberley, Cobham, Seale, Walton-on-Thames, Dorking, Addlestone

For the main travel overview: Surrey.