Enjoy The Rolling Hills Of Surrey
30th September 2008
Surrey is the most wooded county in the United Kingdom and the County Council's emblem is quite appropriately a pair of interlaced oak leaves. The Surrey Hills "Area of Outstanding National Beauty" (AONB) is one of only 36 nationally protected landscapes in England and stretches across a quarter of the county.
Created in 1958, the area includes the chalk slopes on the North Downs - from Farnham in the west above Guildford, Dorking and Reigate to Oxted in the east - and extends south to the wooded Greensand Hills near Haslemere, which include Black Down and the Devil's Punch Bowl and rise to form the highest point in South East England at Leith Hill. In between are the river valleys of the Wey, Tillingbourne and Mole and the heaths of Frensham, Thursley and Blackheath.
The diverse and rich landscape comprising ancient woodlands, flowing chalk downs, colourful grasslands and acid heaths are a dream for any hobby photographer. It is also one of the best places for walking in the South East and has an extensive footpath network and open commons. The county's heathland is mainly confined to two areas : the Thames Basin in the north-west of the country and the Wealden Sands stretching into Hampshire and West Sussex.
The Surrey Hills "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty" is famous for its pretty English villages, most of which can be found nestled amongst the hills. The small market towns of Farnham (just an hour's drive from London), Haslemere, Dorking, Reigate and Godalming - an ancient coaching town on the River Wey - are steeped in history as well as having excellent opportunities for shopping. Dorking has been the focus of the activities of the townspeople and villagers from surrounding communities for hundreds of years and is well worth a visit.
Guildford is the gateway to the Surrey Hills "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty" and is the place to go for first class entertainment and shopping. It provides a good mix of modern culture and historic beauty and is situated only 40 miles from London.