Another sunny day was promised although it started off cloudy with a heavy
mist. The ground was still sodden after the rain over the bank holiday
weekend, so I though a trip up to the Greensand ridge at Leith hill would be
good.
Making use of the NT membership I parked in the car park at Leith Hill House
(still under renovation and closed to public) but a good place to start
From the car park we crossed over the roads and followed a path that climbed
slightly up beside Leith Hill road then turned along the Greensand way - this is
the gradual climbing way to the tower we would descend the steeper side
later..
The track climbs gradually up to the tower with some occasional short cuts
straightening the track bends. Up to the tower and its lawn.
the misty view south.
Dropping down to the cutting above Cockshot farm, then the short cut foot path
over the other side.
Down past the Coldharbour cricket pitch, after which we followed the cycle track
in the woods rather than the gravel access road to the pitch.
The cycle track cut the corner off througgh teh trees dropping gradually down to
Wolverns lane byway
Along the lane past Upper Merriden Cottage with occasional clearings to one side
or the other. At Tankard pond we left the byway to follow a track in the woods
and had to circle around to get back on the byway
Just after the trig point we got views to the North East across to the North
Downs.
Then the North West opened up and we could see that side of the Downs.
Just before Wooton we turned back on ourselves and across a wheat field. This
dropped down over a drive way to Sheephouse lane. Luckily there was a footpath
parallel to the lane that climbed up and then eventually curved away into the
woods.
In a place called the wilderness was a glade thick with Bluebells. Before the
path dropped down to Kempslade farm and down its drive to a back road leading to
Friday Street.
Through the small hamlet and past the now derelict Stephen Langton pub
From the end of Friday street the bridleway climbs gradually into the woods
beside a stream. This path crosses Abinger Common road and into Abinger Bottom.
The track continues to climb until it reached Leith Hill road, where we turned
into the woods again.
Along this bridleway as it crossed Wotton Common heading back towards the Leith
Hill tower..
From the tower we picked up the orange route that would take us back to the car
park by going around Leith Hill house in a circle. This started with a
steep drop down the south side of the hill.
The path continued down steps to a car park beside Abinger road. Over the road
and continued down the wide track below dropping down the hill.
Eventually crossing to Leith Hill road beside Leith Hill Place farm.
Across the road and along under the Haw-haw below the big house - currently
swathed in scaffolding.
Across below the house and into the woods before turning to climb again up
beyond the house and back to the car park. The rhododendrons were if full show
mode.
