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Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey
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Box Hill walk: Polesden and Ranmore (pt 2)
The second part of our wintery walk
(Photos © urban75, Feb 2008)


We pass Polesden Lacey and enjoy a picnic before the rain starts.

Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey
The elaborate entrance to Polesden Lacey country house. The 1821 Regency House was extensively rebuilt by society hostess Mrs Ronald Greville between 1906 and 1909 and was renowned for its glamorous house parties.

As it was winter and the light was fading fast, we didn't get a chance to visit the house or explore its 30 acres of Edwardian gardens.

Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey
Walking under a thatched bridge at Polesden Lacey.

Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey
Sign with a face, Polesden Lacey.

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Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey
We followed the route along a raised causeway lined with yew trees.

Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey
Passing Yewtree Farm.

A little further on we found a bench and tucked into our lunch. As soon as we finished, the rain started.

Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey
Happily, it was only a brief shower and we continued on through the National Trust land at Polesden Lacey.

Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey
You don't see many of these signs in Brixton!

Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey
A couple admire the south facing view, with Dorking in the distance.

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Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey
We headed east along the North Downs Way, an ancient flint-covered trackway, at least 5,000 years old - the oldest road in England.

The route tales a sheltered and concealed path, hovering below the crest and ridges of hills, and runs for 250 miles from Devon to Kent.

It felt rather 'umbling to know that you're treading along a path so ancient.

Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey
Across Steers Field with the spire of St Barnabas in the distance.

Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey
Grazing donkeys.

Several warning notices told people not to feed them else they'll be propelled into space by a high-powered donkey kung-fu kick or something. Either way, don't mess with the mules!

Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey
Views across Steers Field.

Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey

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Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey
Snowdrops by St Barnabas church, Ranmore.

Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey

Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey
The gloriously over the top St Barnabas church, built with funds from George Cubitt MP (later Baron Ashcombe), boasts a massive spire containing a ring of eight bells cast by Mears & Stainbank, with the Tenor weighing in at just under one ton.

Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey
Consecrated in 1859, the church was designed by Gilbert Scott and is a superb example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture.

The South Transept was converted into a Memorial Chapel in 1920 in memory of the Second Baron Ashcombe's three eldest sons who perished in the First World War.

Originally intended to serve only the Cubitt family and the staff of the Denbies Estate, the church was handed over to the Church Commissioners in 1962.

Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey
The old school next door.

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Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey
The somewhat remote nature of the church's location can be seen in this view.

Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey
Heading east back into Westhumble, we passed the vast vineyards of the Denbies estate, "largest wine estate England has ever seen.".

The vineyard produces 400,000 bottles of wine a year - around 10 percent of total UK production.

Boxhill and Westhumble, a 10 mile walk through Polesden Lacey and Ranmore Common, Surrey
A late view looking over Box Hill & Westhumble station.

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