Banstead Wood - Chiphouse Wood - Park Downs - Banstead Wood

Stephen Harris

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This walk was originally contributed by Michael Vingoe. Walkingworld is very grateful to Stephen Harris for taking over the upkeep, July 2021.

A deservedly popular walk with both ramblers and their dogs, there are fine views of typical North Downs scenery and some excellent natural history. Banstead Wood has been a woodland since at least the 13th Century and has a fine display of bluebells and other woodland flowers in spring. Shabden Park Farm is now managed sensitively by Surrey Wildlife Trust. It is interesting to see how its woodland is recovering from the 1987 gales. There are beautiful meadows along the way with rare grassland flowers in summer.

England - South England - Surrey - North Downs

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Public Transport, Wildlife, Woodland

3/27/2022 - Stephen Harris

Re-walked 27.03.2022. Directions and photographs remain accurate. After waypoint 11 there may be cattle grazing in the large field.

9/20/2020 - Stephen Harris

This walk is absolutely spectacular and well worth the effort. Parking does get busy on Sunday's at the start (especially in fine weather). There are some nice tree carvings in places to look at, great directions and variety with woodland, fields and farmland. With sheep on the walk you could be mistaken and think you are in Wales or the North. After WP9's gate, take the left diagonal path up the hill but when you see the gate at the top, bear right and continue until you see the proper gate. A great walk, well written, almost spot on directions and one we will do again! 10/10.

8/5/2018 - Mark Matten

I did this walk for the third time this morning in the beautiful summer sunshine and blue skies. It’s spectacular. I finally think I’ve managed to work out the way point instructions too! At way point 10. There is a visible path (well walked) over the short grass (diagonally left, up the steep hill) and this takes you a gate but its not the one referred to in the way point notes. The gate you need is further along the top fence as the notes say (the top right corner). Its some way between points 10 and 11 (a good 10 mins). There are a number of similar looking fields on the right before the path turns uphill again but the gate is ahead. At point 27 the left hand fork was not really identifiable. But the important right hand one is easy to find. At point 29 the sign no longer says City of London. It says Banstead Commons Conservatories. Have fun.

4/27/2014 - Jane Lawrence

If you think there's no quiet, rural walking within the M25, think again. We did this at the height of the bluebell season and it was very pretty with a good mix of downland, woodland and farmland. A really delightful day out within very easy reach of London.

10/30/2011 - Julie Preddy

Did this walk yesterday, using my trusted Trekinetic Wheelchair, with friends and 2 dogs. We shortened it by deleting points 9 - 16. Had to get out of wheelchair and husband had to lift wheelchair over fence where kissing gates were but very enjoyable and lovely views. At point 21, there is a stile, but right over to the right is a small gate so those of limited mobility could use that instead. Lovely time of year to do the walk as the views included colourful trees.