BOX HILL

BOX HILL

Box Hill has been owned and managed by the National Trust since 1914, and is probably the best known part of the North Downs.

Box Hill is a wonderful place for walking and relaxing and is famous not only its views but also for the butterflies and orchids which thrive here.'

The Hill, which gets its name for the rare box trees that grow on its slopes, forms a prominent feature in the landscape overlooking the Mole Gap. It includes Mickelham Downs and comprises approximately 490 ha of woodland and downland.

BOX HILL

Novelist Jane Austen wrote about a picnic at Box Hill in her novel Emma: “They had a very fine day for Box Hill...Nothing was wanting but to be happy when they got there. Seven miles were travelled in expectation of enjoyment, and everybody had a burst of admiration on first arriving.”

Box Hill is one of the best nature conservation sites in Britain, which is even more remarkable given that it is a stone's throw from London. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation under recent European legislation.

An important spot for butterflies, wild flowers and wildlife in general, look out for the Adonis blue and small blue butterflies, rare orchids and animals like dormice, deer, foxes and Roman snails.

Keep an eye for the juniper bushes that gave this part of the hill its name. Juniper berries are famously used to flavour gin, buy the are a rare species in England because they don't propagate easily. However, the National Trust is working in partnership with Natural England, the Forestry Commission and Beckett's Gin to reinstate the plants at Juniper Top and Bottom.

BREEZY BOXHILL

Do not miss the view point – which has stunning views across the Weald to the South Downs.

Facilities on the Hill, included gift shop, maps, guidebook and learning & discovery education resource for groups of all ages. There are also cafe, and great pubs in the area with the King William IV, The Tree on Box Hill and The Running Horses.

In order to complete Box Hill route – the length of walk is four-mile which one can see the Hill's finest scenery. It's glorious every season but stout boots are recommended. It is generally flat with some fairly steep gradients at times. The walk around Box Hill should take around two hours.

I will sum up Box Hill – a relaxing place for everyone – up the hill – surrounded by nature.

JUNE 13, 2010