Ultimate Road Trip Guide to Surrey Hills National Landscape
Read Time: About 15 minutes
Reigate Hill. Michael Gaylard
The Surrey Hills National Landscape is one of 46 nationally protected landscapes in the UK and the focus of our adventures. Located in Southeast England, the attraction spans parts of Surrey County, covers approximately 163 square miles, and includes iconic landscapes like Box Hill, Leith Hill, and the Greensand Ridge, which features lush woodlands, gently rolling hills and fertile meadows. This guide to a campervan road trip provides comprehensive information with scenic routes, must-see attractions, campsites in the Surrey Hills National Landscape.
The Surrey Hills and other National Landscapes, formerly known as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), are protected landscapes across England. We are publishing comprehensive guides for campervan road trips throughout all of the UK’s national landscapes.
Lockhurst Hatch Farm is a peaceful, friendly site located in a private valley affording spectacular vistas over thirty lush acres.
Spanning Surrey from east to west, the Surrey Hills National Landscape holds an enticing blend of habitats ranging from chalk grasslands to woodlands, with the county being the most wooded in England. Let’s explore the best things to see and do on your campervan road trip in the Surrey Hills.
- Where Exactly are the Surrey Hills?
- Best Surrey Hills National Landscape Campsites
- How To Get To The Surrey Hills National Landscape in Your Campervan
- How To Get To The Surrey Hills National Landscape From London
- How To Get To The Surrey Hills National Landscape From Southampton
- How To Get To The Surrey Hills National Landscape From Bristol
- How To Get To The Surrey Hills National Landscape From Liverpool
- How To Get To The Surrey Hills National Landscape From Newcastle Upon Tyne
- Your Campervan Guide To Visiting The Surrey Hills National Landscape
- Is Surrey Hills Worth Visiting?
- How High Are The Surrey Hills?
- Can You Drive Through Surrey Hills?
- Where To Go Walking In Surrey Hills?
- Surrey Hills Cycling
- Surrey Hills Wildlife
- So Long, Surrey!
Where Exactly are the Surrey Hills?
Located on the doorstep of London, the Surrey Hills are perfect for weekend breaks, bank holidays or longer. The Surrey Hills in southeast England, extend from the borders of Hampshire in the west to Kent in the east. Major nearby towns include Dorking, Guildford, and Reigate, all of which rest on the county's fringes. The National Landscape sits along the A25 and is easily accessible from London, with road links via the M25 and A3, making it an ideal base for a quick getaway. Jump in your campervan hire Surrey and take a road trip through the Surrey Hills. Whether you’re seeking a family escape or a quiet couple’s retreat, our round-up of campsites in Surrey offers the ideal base to uncover the beauty of the Surrey Hills.
Best Surrey Hills National Landscape Campsites
With so many campsites in the Surrey Hills National Landscape, it can be a little daunting to decide where to base yourself for a night or your entire holiday. We’ve picked three of our top campsites for quiet camping in Surrey and hope one (or more) of our suggestions makes it onto your itinerary. Sumners Ponds Fishery and Campsite is ideal for countryside camping. Gatwick Caravan and Motorhome Campsite blends a serene setting with a central location. Etherley Farm is an excellent spot for informal camping at the foot of Leith Hill. Beyond the three campsites we mentioned, you could also enjoy a stay at one of the campsites in London for a completely different backdrop. Read below for facilities, nearby attractions, and more.
Sumners Ponds Fishery And Campsite in Horsham
Sumners Ponds Fishery And Campsite, Horsham
Take a break at Sumners Ponds Fishery and Campsite. Spread across a whopping 100 acres, this fab campsite contains glittering lakes ideal for angling, generously spaced, spacious, well-maintained pitches, with options for tents, caravans, and motorhomes, plus plenty of amenities for a comfortable stay. The toilet and shower block are always clean, and the showers offer lashings of hot water, with plenty for the guests, so there’s never a queue. Guests can enjoy fishing at the on-site lakes, stocked with various species, or exploring the nearby woodland and walking trails, enjoying a slower pace of life, big skies, and a day free of schedules. Campers also share access to a convenient little shop and a café, making it easy to unwind and enjoy a relaxing camping experience without stepping outside the gates. Nearby attractions include the scenic South Downs National Park.
Gatwick Caravan and Motorhome Campsite in Crawley
Gatwick Caravan and Motorhome Campsite, Crawley
If you plan to exit your plane at Gatwick, hire a campervan and rumble down to the Surrey Hills, Gatwick Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite near Gatwick Airport, a fantastic overnight or weekend escape base. The campsite is located close to the A23 and is a fine base for exploring the hidden gems in the West Sussex area. Take a detour to the coastline, exploring buzzing Brighton, which is a short drive away. When you’ve had your fill of the friendly atmosphere and vast pebble beach, stock up on camping essentials and rumble over to the Surrey Hills, enjoying the best of coastline and the countryside. The site has modern facilities, including heated showers, a laundry room, and electric hookups. Sit back and sip on a cold drink of choice while embracing the laid-back ambience.
Etherley Farm in Dorking
Etherley Farm, Dorking
Etherley Farm is a serene farm site in the Surrey Hills National Landscape, an ideal 20-minute drive from Horsham and a half hour from the South Downs. Free-spirited campers will love the freedom to pick their pitches on the roomy grounds in the very south of London. Located an ideal hour and a half from London, the site is ideally situated for exploring the Surrey Hills and nearby attractions, like the South Downs National Park. Amble over to local foodie pubs close to the campsite and potter around local attractions like the National Trust property of Polesden Lacey. Settle in for a charming countryside camping experience with stunning views of the Surrey Hills. The site provides basic yet comfortable facilities, including hot showers, toilets, and a washing-up area. It’s ideal for those who enjoy a peaceful, rural retreat while being close to nature. Nearby attractions include the scenic Box Hill, famous for its panoramic views, the historic market town of Dorking, and Denbies Wine Estate.
How To Get To The Surrey Hills National Landscape in Your Campervan
In this section of our guide, we’ll outline two routes—scenic and direct—to get you from the vibrant cities of London, Southampton, Bristol, Liverpool, and Newcastle upon Tyne. Use our routes to get from the cities to the Surrey Hills National Landscape in your campervan. .
How To Get To The Surrey Hills National Landscape From London
Leith Hill. Andrew Tijou
Leaving London for greener pastures? Get away from the hum of constant activity with a campervan hire in London. The Surrey Hills are right on your doorstep, making it a fantastic base for quick weekend escapes, bank holidays, and extended summer vacations. If you prefer the main roads, take the M25 southwest from London and merge onto the A24 at Leatherhead. Follow the road into the verdant woodlands and rolling hills of Surrey. The quick route takes around an hour and a half to complete and covers 25.5 miles. If you have more time to rumble around, why not take the scenic route? Follow winding country roads through Epsom and Leatherhead, driving along the A217 and B245. Embrace the quieter paths that lead you into the heart of Surrey Hills. Our campervan hire locations in London include campervans for hire in Hillingdon, and we list 140 campervans and motorhomes in London.
Age: 23-70
Travel: Uk and Europe
Gearbox: Automatic
Our beautiful classic VW campervan Frieda is ready and waiting to be your holiday friend and provider. Shes in perfect working order after many years of love care and significant investment.
How To Get To The Surrey Hills National Landscape From Southampton
Head off on a campervan road trip to the Surrey Hills from Southampton. With such a short drive time, a Surrey vacation is ideal for both weekends and longer escapes. For a quick drive, glide up the M3 and the M25, then turn onto the A3, arriving around 1.5 hours after covering a distance of 75 miles. Take your Southampton campervan hire past quiet villages for a scenic route, following the A335 and A31. Then, take winding country lanes via Alton and Godalming, reaching the hills in about 2.5 hours. We list 80 campervans and motorhomes within 60 miles of Southampton, so you can find a camper or motorhome that works for you. Our campervan hire locations in Southampton include campervans for hire in Netley, campervans for hire in Ashurst, campervans for hire in Fareham, campervans for hire in Romsey, campervans for hire in Lyndhurst, campervans for hire in Cowes, campervans for hire in New Forest and campervans for hire in Winchester.
Age: 25-70
Travel: UK Only
Gearbox: Manual
Scooby is a handsome, well-equipped home on wheels, offering a range of comforts for your next road trip. He features comfortable seating, nifty storage spaces, a twin double burner cooker, USB charging, etc.
How To Get To The Surrey Hills National Landscape From Bristol
Hire a campervan in Bristol for your Surrey Hills road trip and decide whether to take the fastest route or make a few detours. For a scenic drive, follow the A4 to Bath, weaving into the A36 through the verdant countryside before connecting to the A31 and A281. The longer route takes around 3.5 hours to complete. If you want to get into Surrey as soon as possible, take the M4 and M25 and shift to the A3 for a quicker, direct route, taking 2.5 hours to cover approximately 130 miles. Browse our selection of 108 campervans for hire in Bristol.
Age: 25-70
Travel: UK Only
Gearbox: Manual
INTRODUCING ..... Vallerie ... Our Luxury 2016 VW T6 Campervan - She can carry five passengers ... and will sleep 4 ... or more. You can hire our Vango Airbeam Drive-away Awning, too.
How To Get To The Surrey Hills National Landscape From Liverpool
Devil's Punch Bowl. Leimenide
Leave Liverpool behind for the green, open countryside, historic attractions and beautiful hills of Surrey with a Liverpool campervan hire. Browse our selection of 80 campervans and motorhomes within 60 miles of Liverpool, and you’ll find a range of competitively priced vehicles with an array of features, promising a memorable and cost-effective holiday. The quick route via the main road follows the M6 south, connecting with the M40 past Oxford’s spires. Join the M25 and then the A24, which will take you to the heart of the Surrey Hills. The direct route takes about 3 hours to complete the journey of 235 miles. If you’re driving around on a more extended vacation in summer follow the prettier route on the A49 south, winding past Cheshire’s rolling planes, down to Shropshire. Drift onto the A41, admiring pastoral landscapes before connecting to the A281 that leads into the Surrey Hills.
Age: 25-75
Travel: UK Only
Gearbox: Manual
The van is our fun bus she is 43 years old and is a bay window pop top. she is great for families as the pop top has 2 bunks in the roof.
How To Get To The Surrey Hills National Landscape From Newcastle Upon Tyne
Find a campervan for hire in Newcastle upon Tyne and make your way up to the Surrey Hills, escaping a concrete jungle for the vast countryside and a gentler pace of life. For a swift journey, hop on the A1(M) to the M1, then join the M25, guiding you to the Surrey Hills in just iver 6 hours. The quickest route covers approximately 314 miles, making it an ideal getaway with the family, ideally on bank holidays or longer. We list 46 campervans and motorhomes within 80 miles of Newcastle upon Tyne, so browse our numerous models with varying amenities. For the longer route, head southward, taking the A68 through Northumberland’s rolling landscapes, then join winding B-roads around the Peak District before following quiet country lanes into the heart of Surrey, taking around 8 hours to complete.
Age: 25-70
Travel: Uk and Europe
Gearbox: Automatic
Meet Raquel, a charming and practical 2-berth campervan built on a Renault Master chassis, featuring an automatic gearbox for smooth and easy driving.
Your Campervan Guide To Visiting The Surrey Hills National Landscape
You probably have a few questions about your campervan road trip to the Surrey Hills, like, are the Surrey Hills really worth visiting? Where are they? What can we explore? Take a read as we answer these questions and give you further information for your campervan road trip in the Surrey Hills.
Is Surrey Hills Worth Visiting?
Surrey Hills. Aglet
Absolutely! The Surrey Hills is a popular gem with unrivalled natural beauty and rich history, making it a fantastic destination and a designated National Landscape. Look forward to wandering among rolling hills, lush woodlands, and charming villages, with sweeping viewpoints that feel like you’ve stepped back into a timeless English landscape. The area is also dotted with historic sites, like the impressive ruins of Waverley Abbey and the beautiful estates of Polesden Lacey and Hatchlands Park. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are endless trails for walking, cycling, and horse riding. The area’s mix of secluded trails and vibrant villages like Shere, makes it ideal for adventure and relaxation.
How High Are The Surrey Hills?
The Surrey Hills reach a maximum elevation of 294 metres (965 feet) at Leith Hill, the highest point in southeast England. This offers panoramic views over the surrounding landscape, reaching as far as the English Channel on clear days.
Other notable points include: Box Hill is 224 metres (735 feet) above sea level, with stunning views over the Mole Valley. Holmbury Hill which is 261 metres (856 feet) above sea level and it has spectacular scenery and the Holmbury Hill Iron Age Hillfort at the summit. Pitch Hill, which reaches 257 metres (843 feet), also provides excellent views over the countryside.
Bonnington Farm is a well-maintained Camping and Caravanning Club Certificated Site, tucked away amid the lush Sussex countryside, boasting fantastic vistas and a handy location for accessing mile upon mile of scenic.
Can You Drive Through Surrey Hills?
Yes, you can drive through the Surrey Hills, and the area is beautiful to explore in a campervan. Scenic drives cut through beautiful countryside, woodland and quiet villages. The area is well-connected by roads with several routes offering gorgeous views and quick access to popular spots. If you want to explore scenic drives around the Surrey Hills, check out:
The A25 Road: This route runs through the heart of the Surrey Hills, connecting towns like Guildford, Dorking, and Reigate. It offers views of lush hills and easy access to landmarks like Box Hill and Newlands Corner.
Where To Go Walking In Surrey Hills?
Ranmore Common. Roz Lawson
There are plenty of gorgeous trails to stretch your legs and explore bucolic English scenery. The Box Hill walk is a circular route for stunning views over the Mole Valley and gentle chalk grasslands. The eight-mile loop is a challenging yet rewarding trail with plenty of stops, nice viewpoints, and iconic stepping stones over the River Mole. There is a shorter section covering two miles that includes the famous stepping stones and a gentle climb up Box Hill.
Climb Leith Hill Towerthe highest point in southeast England, with sweeping vistas that reach as far as London and the South Downs. The moderate 3-mile circular walk takes walkers to Leith Hill Tower, the highest point in southeast England. Look forward to jaw-dropping views and trails cutting through heathland and forests. For longer stretches, take a 7-mile circular walk through the surrounding woodlands and farmland, with a climb to Leith Hill Tower for sweeping views.
The beautiful Newlands Corner to St Martha's Martha's Hill is a lovely 4-mile circular walk starting from Newlands Corner, with gorgeous views and a peaceful trail to St Martha's Martha's Church on the hilltop. The Albury Downs Walk is another excellent route to explore while you're in the area. The gentle 3-mile loop explores Albury Downs and enjoys fine vistas across the North Downs with fantastic spots to take a moment and observe local wildlife.
Walkers can also explore Holmbury Hill and Pitch Hill Walk. The Holmbury Hill route is a 4-mile circular walk with a climb to the mountain's summit, which offers exceptional scenery over the Weald and South Downs. Nature lovers can enjoy walks through peaceful woodland packed with flora and fauna. The Pitch Hill Trail is a similar 3 to 4-mile loop with panoramic views and a stunning route through heathland.
Surrey Hills Cycling
If pedalling is more your forte, the Surrey Hills National brims with various cycling routes catering to all skill levels. Whether you want to take a gentle ride through flat, open countryside with the family or challenge your friends to routes ideal for experienced cyclists.
The 8-mile Box Hill is perfect for walking and cycling, offering a blend of on-and off-road cycling through lush woodland and meadows. The Dorking to Leith Hill route is also perfect for cycling and offers a moderate to challenging route with a thrilling ascent, sweeping views, and an equally thrilling descent.
Surrey Hills Yurts is a luxurious glampsite nestled amid the lush Surrey Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The site rests on 15-acres on the wooded edge of the picturesque village of Westcott.
For longer cycling routes, follow the Greensand Ridge Cycle Route, which follows Greensand Ridge, beginning at Haslemere and ending at the eastern edge of the Surrey Hills. Cyclists can also opt to do shorter sections of this route.
For more accessible routes, follow the Godalming to Guildford trail, a pleasant path along the River Wey from Godalming to Guildford. It’s a flat and scenic route, perfect for families or those looking for a relaxed ride with lovely views. Huntwood Forest features a network of bridleways and mountain biking trails and holds a fab selection of off-road cycling options amidst beautiful forested areas, perfect for seasoned mountain bikers and casual cyclists alike. We also recommend the gravel and woodland routes in Norbury Park and advise our readers to always wear a helmet, follow local guidelines and be mindful of pedestrians.
Surrey Hills Wildlife
Hindhead Common. Leimenide
Nature lovers can potter around Norbury Park, home to meadows, woodlands, and chalk grasslands. Look for rare butterflies like the silver-spotted skipper and marbled white, plus woodland birds such as woodpeckers and nuthatches. The kids can make friends with grazing cattle that help maintain their natural ecosystem.
Newlands Corner is famed for its sweeping views of the North Downs and is a beautiful location to spot kestrels, buzzards, and butterflies like the Chalkhill blue. The viewpoint is a great spot for birdwatching, with skylarks and linnets often seen or heard in spring and summer.
Part of the Greensand Ridge, Holmbury Hill and Pitch Hill features mixed woodlands and heathland. Birds of prey like red kites and buzzards, butterflies, and roe deer are just some animals you may spot among the trees.
Bookham Common, managed by the National Trust, is a fantastic spot for birdwatching, with species like nightingales, tawny owls, and woodpeckers. The ponds attract waterfowl, and the grasslands are home to butterflies and wildflowers in summer.
Sheepleas, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), has rare spring orchids and butterflies such as the silver-washed fritillary and brimstone.
These unique Surrey Hills locations provide an unforgettable opportunity to see wildlife in natural, varied habitats. Spring and summer bring out the best of the flora and fauna, while autumn is perfect for spotting birds and enjoying the area’s changing foliage.
Explore these attractions and craft your itinerary for your Surrey Hills National Landscape campervan road trip.
The Merry Harriers is a peaceful, well-equipped shepherds hut placed beside a gleaming pond, on the grounds of a 16th-century pub where crackling fires, welly boots and muddy paws are the orders of the day.
So Long, Surrey!
Sadly, we’ve come to the end of our Surrey Hills National Landscape guide. There’s so much more to explore in this beautiful former Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Still, we’ve tried to fit in as many attractions, walks, and cycling routes as possible to help you plan a personalised itinerary and book a campervan plus campsite in one go - how handy! Next, we make the North Wessex Downs National Landscape our home for a holiday. If you enjoyed this guide, come by for another in-depth look at the stunning National Landscape of England.
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