Opening Leith Hill Place to the public for the first time
Visitor Operations Manager, Gabrielle Gale, shares what it was like opening up Leith Hill Place to the public by the National Trust for the first time.
How to climb Leith Hill
Leith Hill is the toughest climb of the RideLondon course.
With several stings in it's tail, it's a climb that catches alot of RideLondon Cyclists out - so here's what you can expect and how you should tackle the climb!
Places to see in ( Dorking - UK )
Places to see in ( Dorking - UK )
Dorking is a market town in Surrey, England between Ranmore Common in the North Downs range of hills and Leith Hill in the Greensand Ridge, centred 21 miles from London. In the Georgian and Victorian periods six prominent sites in the former parish or on its boundaries became grand country estates: Leith Hill Place, Denbies (today a vineyard/hotel), Norbury Park, Polesden Lacey, Wotton House and Deepdene; five of which along with nearby Box Hill's promontory and chalk grassland slopes belong to the National Trust.
Dorking is a commuter and retirement settlement with three railway stations and a few large offices of multinational companies. Similarly, Malden in 1911, noted the place was almost entirely residential and agricultural, with some lime works on the chalk, though not so extensive as those in neighbouring parishes, a little brick-making, water-mills (corn) at Pixham Mill, and timber and saw-mills. Fine sand often in veins of pink, used for mortar and in glassmaking was dug, particularly in the 19th century — the Dorking Caves were accordingly excavated under southern parts of the town centre itself.
Dorking chickens with short five-toed legs are a major breed. The town has a local government headquarters and hosts repeating loops of the FIA-ranked London-Surrey cycle classic elite category event every year.
Dorking is in the west of the area between hill ranges in southern England known as Holmesdale which has headwaters of several rivers. The town's geography is undulating; for example, the elevation of the southern point of the central one-way system is 76 metres and on its northern side the elevation is 59–60 metres. To the south west of the town is Leith Hill, also owned by the National Trust, the second highest point in the south east of England after Walbury Hill. The tower on the summit elevates the hill to 1,000 ft (300 m) above sea level. The area is towards the east of the Surrey Hills AONB surrounded by the Greensand Ridge, including Holmbury Hill and Pitch Hill, as well as the nearby escarpment of the North Downs from Box Hill to Newlands Corner.
Dorking three main trading streets of High Street, West Street and South Street are complemented by a small open-air shopping centre, St Martin's Walk, which is adjacent to the town's main car park and easily accessed from the High Street. In the late 1990s Dorking Halls was given a huge refit, to make it a cinema and theatre complex. In 2003 a new modern leisure centre and swimming pool were added to the Dorking Halls Complex. There is a thin, somewhat shiny metal statue of a Dorking cockerel on the Deepdene roundabout.
Dorking and nearby Box Hill were chosen as part of the route for the 2012 London Olympics cycling road race and have featured in the FIA-ranked London-Surrey cycle classic every year since. The Deepdene Trail, a heritage walking trail, opens in September 2016 offering walks for all levels of fitness in a quiet space just 15 minutes from Dorking High Street.
Dorking is at the junction of the A24 (London to Worthing) and A25 (Maidstone to Guildford) roads. Dorking railway station, on the Epsom to Horsham Sutton & Mole Valley Line. Dorking Deepdene, on the Guildford to Redhill North Downs Line. Dorking West, also on the Guildford to Redhill North Downs Line.
( Dorking - UK ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting the city of Dorking . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Dorking - UK
Join us for more :
Walking Leith Hill Tower
A walk up to Leith Hill Tower in Surrey, the highest point in the South East of England. The Tower was built in 1765 by Richard Hull of Leith Hill Place nearby. It is speculated that in 851, that Æthelwulf of Wessex, father of Alfred the Great, defeated the Danes who were heading for Winchester having already sacked Canterbury and London.
Filmed and Edited by Marq English
Music by Kevin Macleod
Impressive view from Leith Hill tower The Surrey Hills outstanding landscape
Leith Hill is a wooded hill 7 km to the south west of Dorking, Surrey, England. It reaches 294 metres (965 ft) above sea level, the highest point on the Greensand Ridge, and is the second highest point in south-east England, after Walbury Hill near Hungerford, West Berkshire, 297 metres (974 ft) high
On the summit of Leith Hill is an 18th-century Gothic tower. In 1765-6 Richard Hull of nearby Leith Hill Place built Prospect House, later to become known as Leith Hill Tower, with the intention of raising the hill above 1,000 ft (305 m) above sea level. The 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.
When he died in 1772, at his request he was buried under the tower. Following his death, the building was stripped of its contents, doors and windows, and fell into ruin. As a result, the tower was filled with rubble and concrete, and the entrance bricked up.
In 1864, Mr Evelyn of nearby Wotton House decided to reopen it, but the concrete made this difficult, and so the additional turreted side-tower was added to allow access to the top of the tower.
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.
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. Leith Hill Tower is open to the public every day from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm 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. Standing on the top of Leith Hill Tower you are at the highest point in the south-east of England
A Trip To Leith Hill Tower, Surrey | Pub Lunch & A Walk | Natasha Newton
On a beautifully sunny late January afternoon, we decided to make the most of the amazing weather and walk up to the top of Leith Hill in Surrey. We stopped at The Plough pub in Coldharbour for lunch, and then parked in the Landslip Car Park, where we walked up through the steep wooded hill to Leith Hill Tower, a National Trust property. Standing on the top of the tower you are higher than The Shard in London - it's apparently the highest point in South East England - and as it was a clear day, we could in fact see The Shard over 20 miles away! It was a relaxing and memorable afternoon. We always feel that this is a magical place; it's another world up there! I hope I managed to convey some of this in my video. This is the first vlog I have ever filmed and edited myself, so I hope to improve as I go along. Thank you for watching.
Filmed with a Canon G1X Mark II and and iPhone SE
Edited in iMovie on a 2018 MacBook Air
Music:
English Country Garden - Aaron Kenny
Fresh Fallen Snow - Chris Haugen
/// Links ///
Website:
Shop:
Instagram:
The Deepdene Walk- from Dorking via Leith Hill in HD 15 April 2014
I know I have already uploaded videos of this walk, but this one is in full HD. Also, the weather was fantastic. The Deepdene walk is a 13 mile circular walk from Dorking station via Leith Hill and Coldharbour village. The walk took place on Tuesday 15 April 2014.
Colley hill
A short video looking over Reigate in Surrey UK from Colley hill.
Exploring Leith Hill Tower on the Surrey Hills
Continuing our exploration of Leith Hill and the Greensand Way. Matthew Holdsworth and I are climbing up the spiral staircase of Leith Hill Tower. We find a potted history of the remarkable edifice displayed in one the rooms and a breathtaking view from the top. If you look closes your can even see the Shard among the collection of skyscrapers in London.
My videos are funded 100% by people like you. If you enjoy them, please help me make more:
I am Richard Vobes, the Bald Explorer, exploring Britain. Check out my website at: and
-----------------------------------------
You can also Support me via Patreon here: or Donate at
------------------------------------------
I film with a Gopro and Zyiun Smooth 3 Gimbal, Rode Lavalier and Zoom H4 recorder..
Zyiun Smooth 3 Gimbal:
GoPro Hero range:
Rode Lavalier Mic:
Rode Smartphone mic:
Zoom H4n:
Tascam DR-60Mk2:
My children's books are here:
Box Hill Stepping Stones , Surrey Hills (Dorking England)
Here's a fabulous place for a picnic with spectacular views.
A lovely walk down to the River Mole and back up. The Stepping Stones are an iconic landmark in this part of Surrey and they're a perfect spot to stop and watch the river flow.
The Deepdene Walk- from Dorking via Leith Hill 15 Sept 2007
A truly memorable circular walk from Dorking to Leith Hill- the outward route via Broadmoor village, the return via Coldharbour village. This walk took place on Saturday 15 September 2007 in glorious weather.
Prof. David Smythe on why we must not allow Leith Hill to be drilled.
A Voice For Leith Hill - David Smythe, (Emeritus Professor of Geophysics, University of Glasgow), gives a talk for AVFLH on the controversial drill site at Leith Hill, Surrey.
Professor Smythe visited Dorking to object to the Environment Agency granting a permit to drill the exploratory borehole through a principal aquifer. His talk at the Friends Meeting House clearly explains the underlying dangers, what unconventional extraction is, and why it doesn’t add up. While the talk focuses on Leith Hill, Professor Smythe refers to examples from sites across England, drawing on his academic background and his professional experience of working both at the British Geological Survey, and as a former consultant to the conventional oil industry on drill site selection.
Tram Works: Pilrig Street to the Foot of Leith Walk
This is what tie and Carillion call 'minor' roadworks to prepare Leith Walk for the Edinburgh Tram Line. The video was taken on a quiet Sunday afternoon. During the week the journey takes even longer!
Training ride with Mr Tievoli and Pete Goodwin
Having cycled 35 miles already to my place in High Wycombe, we set off for Reading via Henley-on-Thames.
I finished up doing just over 50 miles, Pete, close to 85.
The ride was fast and intense, no slouching, just full on speed for 3 and a bit hours.
Music by Fat Boy Slim - Authorisation pending :-)
Composer Ralph Vaughan Williams' piano at Leith Hill Place
Composer Ralph Vaughan Williams’ piano is on display at his childhood home, Leith Hill Place in Surrey. It is played here by David Owen Norris, the first pianist to win the Gilmore Artist Award. He has given concerts all over the world, including four appearances in the Proms. Ralph Vaughan Williams' compositions included operas, chamber music and symphonies, and The Lark Ascending has been named the nation’s favourite piece of classical music. Yet the piano on which Ralph Vaughan Williams composed these masterpieces, and which has been glimpsed only in family photographs, remained unseen by the public - until now.
Thanks to a private donor, visitors can see Vaughan Williams’ piano on display at Leith Hill Place, which he gave to the National Trust in 1945. For more information or to plan a visit to Leith Hill Place see: For more about David Owen Norris visit:
Fun in the snow at Leith Hill, Boxing day 2010.wmv
Leith Hill Surrey, the highest point in the south of England and such a beautiful place with amazing views. From London and the Dome and Wheel to one side and Gatwick Airport and down to Shoreham on Sea the other side. Why don't more people come here????? - I have been coming here for over 25 years now, usually mountain biking and it never ceases to amaze me why it's not packed. Many seem to go to Box Hill which is far inferior in comparison. Anyway, I suppose it's a good thing as too many would spoil it :)
LEITH HILL TOWER Phantom 2 Vision +
Leith Hill tower, the highest point in south east England, on a sunny November morning. Shot with a Phantom 2 Vision+
Adventure Awaits in Dorking
Dorking is the hidden gem of the home counties. Set in the gorgeous Surrey Hills, we are surrounded by verdant hills, Denbie’s Wine Estate – England’s largest vineyard, and at the top of the highstreet, we have Sorrel – AA England’s Best Restaurant. Dorking is truly exquisite.
Innovators, entrepreneurs, award-winners all invest in this place because it is special. There is something unique about Dorking. From its heritage, its culture and its independent spirit, Dorking has an ease yet determination about it that makes the town and its people a fantastic place to be.
Explore our Meadowbank playpark, our Dorking Wanderers Football Club, our Dorking Museum and caves, independent shops, amazing cafes and restaurants, and all that our surrounding countryside has to offer: Denbies Wine Estate, the Deepdene Trail, Polesden Lacey National Trust and more.
People love it here and we can't wait to share our town with you.
#ExploreDorking, #HaveanAdventureinDorking, #HeritageCultureSpirit, #PassItOn
Box Hill, Surrey
Help support my channel:
Box Hill is a summit of the North Downs in Surrey, approximately 30 km (19 mi) south west of London. The hill takes its name from the ancient box woodland found on the steepest west-facing chalk slopes overlooking the River Mole. The western part of the hill is owned and managed by the National Trust, whilst the village of Box Hill lies on higher ground to the east. The highest point is Betchworth Clumps at 224 m (735 ft) above OD, although the Salomons Memorial (at 172 metres) overlooking the town of Dorking is the most popular viewpoint.
Box Hill lies within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and forms part of the Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment Site of Special Scientific Interest. The north- and south-facing slopes support an area of chalk downland, noted for its orchids and other rare plant species. The hill provides a habitat for 40 species of butterfly, and has given its name to a species of squash bug, now found throughout south east England.
An estimated 850,000 people visit Box Hill each year. The National Trust visitors' centre provides both a cafeteria and gift shop and the panoramic views of the western Weald may be enjoyed from the North Downs Way, a long distance footpath that runs along the southern escarpment. Box Hill featured prominently on the route of the 2012 Summer Olympics cycling road race events (the men doing nine circuits and the women doing two circuits), and the area has since become popular with professional and amateur cyclists.