Good hacking destination in Surrey

T

Twiglet

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 September 2004
Messages
8,368
Location
Clapham
Visit site
Want to get my boy out at the weekend for a bit of 'positive travel' (working on his loading issue). Am in Epsom - would like somewhere within 30-45 mins, to park the lorry and have some decent hacking - preferably with jumps if possible. Any ideas?
 
I go up to Banstead Heath near the sportsman pub. Lots of open space and good ground for canter work and lots of tracks. Dont think i have seen any jumps thou. Its just of the A217 near the M25 junction so not far from you.
I've heard good things about Headley but dont know of anywhere to park, i'm working on that but its hackable from where i am when i get round to finding out how to get there.
Ranmore isnt far but again not been yet so not idea on parking.
Newlands Corner is supposed to have parking and good hacking as well.
 
I'm not sure about destinations with jumps but what about a little lorry ride(as you are already in epsom) to the downs? I also used to hack on Headley Heath which was quite fun, along with Reigate Heath. Sorry it's not much, but I used to spend many fun hours there!
 
vam said:
I go up to Banstead Heath near the sportsman pub. Lots of open space and good ground for canter work and lots of tracks. Dont think i have seen any jumps thou. Its just of the A217 near the M25
Click to expand...

Haha my dad lives there, needless to say we pop to the sportsman quite a bit!
 
Thanks all - will check out Banstead as that's not too far.

Rachi20x - we are stabled on the edge of the Downs! Whilst the hacking's good, he needs a bit longer than 3 minutes on the lorry I think ;)

Any clues on whether there's hacking/somewhere to park near Box Hill?
 
If you dont mind paying - Woolgars Farm in Horsley.
Great riding, lots of small (2ft to 2ft 9) x-c fences and a water complex with bigger fences round it too.... all in 5 miles+ (I think) without dog walkers, cyclists etc & you can always add the 3+mile loop in the middle (you do have to cross 1 quiet road to do this) which has a 2 good long gallops on it.

Linky:http://www.woolgarsfarm.co.uk/index.html

Good place to start if worried at all lorry security and horse being contained if you tip-off :)
 
There are places to park on Box Hill, but in my opinion it's very busy up there. LOTS of mountain bikes, road bikes and walkers.

I MUCH prefer Leith Hill and The Redlands, just South of Dorking. There are little parking areas for the Redlands (Coldharbour Lane) and likewise for Leith Hill (on Abinger Road). If you're really good I'd even meet you and give you a guided tour, lol! Thousands of acres, with no roadwork at all if you don't want it.
 
Twiglet said:
Thanks all - will check out Banstead as that's not too far.

Rachi20x - we are stabled on the edge of the Downs! Whilst the hacking's good, he needs a bit longer than 3 minutes on the lorry I think ;)

Any clues on whether there's hacking/somewhere to park near Box Hill?
Click to expand...

I drive past the back of your fields everyday on on the way to the yard so know how close you are to the Downs! it takes me about 15mins to hack there from mine thou.

If you Google Margery Lane, Tadworth it will take you to the car park i've used. The only prob is as its a NT car park you will have to pay and i think it has to be done by credit card (i mean really, how many people carry one when out for a walk :rolleyes:)
If you do go let me know and i'll give you directions on how to get onto the Heath from there.
 
If you dont mind going a bit further then Blackheath common in Albury is lovely, Its all sand and a few car parks to chose from
 
Another place you could try is Wisley common - excellent hacking with no/very little roadwork and sandy tracks so it never gets boggy. Not sure about jumps though, but there is definitely parking and it isn't far from Reigate on the A3.
 
vam said:
I drive past the back of your fields everyday on on the way to the yard so know how close you are to the Downs! it takes me about 15mins to hack there from mine thou.

If you Google Margery Lane, Tadworth it will take you to the car park i've used. The only prob is as its a NT car park you will have to pay and i think it has to be done by credit card (i mean really, how many people carry one when out for a walk :rolleyes:)
If you do go let me know and i'll give you directions on how to get onto the Heath from there.
Click to expand...

That is the one we use too. Having to pay (didnt used to) is annoying though.
 
Epsom/ashtead common?! although summer would be much better there! I hack round the back of ashtead across the m25 bridge towards headley/tyrrells wood, although dont think there are many jumps (can get there quite easily from epsom downs). I have walked my dogs on newlands corner before and its really nice there!
 
Fransurrey said:
I MUCH prefer Leith Hill and The Redlands, just South of Dorking. There are little parking areas for the Redlands (Coldharbour Lane) and likewise for Leith Hill (on Abinger Road). If you're really good I'd even meet you and give you a guided tour, lol! Thousands of acres, with no roadwork at all if you don't want it.
Click to expand...

Ooh those sound good. Can you post a google maps link?

And is it easy to park and find a circular hacking route?

How muddy is it at the moment? Thinking of over the holiday period.

Thanks
 
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?oe=u...=uk&ei=XaXRUMqNBYea1AWz2oH4Bw&ved=0CDMQ8gEwAA

Coldharbour is where I am. Lots of circular routes. You can get to Westcott, Abinger, Wotton, Holmwood, Holmbury St Mary....all minimal road work. It's mostly sand, so very little mud. Certainly not impassable. You're more likely to suffer with stones up here with barefoot horses, so Hoofboots might be needed for unshod beasts. Carparks I would recommend are on Abinger Road, either Windy Gap or Landslip (both NT, but free). Parking for the Redlands is little pull ins on Coldharbour Lane. There aren't many marked bridleways on the Redlands, but lots of logging tracks and plenty of smaller tracks for the more adventurous! Same for Leith Hill. Permissive rides are common and lots of Forestry to explore.
 
Fransurrey said:
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?oe=u...=uk&ei=XaXRUMqNBYea1AWz2oH4Bw&ved=0CDMQ8gEwAA

Coldharbour is where I am. Lots of circular routes. You can get to Westcott, Abinger, Wotton, Holmwood, Holmbury St Mary....all minimal road work. It's mostly sand, so very little mud. Certainly not impassable. You're more likely to suffer with stones up here with barefoot horses, so Hoofboots might be needed for unshod beasts. Carparks I would recommend are on Abinger Road, either Windy Gap or Landslip (both NT, but free). Parking for the Redlands is little pull ins on Coldharbour Lane. There aren't many marked bridleways on the Redlands, but lots of logging tracks and plenty of smaller tracks for the more adventurous! Same for Leith Hill. Permissive rides are common and lots of Forestry to explore.
Click to expand...

Nicking the post...but as we are on Ranmore and fancied a change, I will go and check where you suggested Fran and see if we can box over there. I was down in Ewhurst years ago. My criteria is no roads as I like to take my dog with me as do quite a few of the others at my yard. ..thanks for the map!
 
Feel free to come to us or I would meet u somewhere another time as I am taking my boy out and about on lots of little journeys to help with his recently learned loading issues! I am in Horsham. Pm me if of interest.
 
Just a quick tip to anyone thinking of using the NT car parks. Do NOT under any circumstance leave valuables in your car. I parked my car in one on Ranmore, to go dog walking put handbag in the boot and it was forced open when I was gone. Police didnt come out as apparently it is very common..but there are no signs warning you. I had thought the boot was safe but was wrong so take what you can carry in your pockets or a bag around your waist. Peeved of Ranmore ...
 
Yes, Ranmore is known for that, sadly!

Luci, if you want to use a proper map, the Explorer 146 OS map is the one to get. I think Ranmore is on it, too!
 
Fransurrey said:
Yes, Ranmore is known for that, sadly!

Luci, if you want to use a proper map, the Explorer 146 OS map is the one to get. I think Ranmore is on it, too!
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. Hacking around us is fab but still would be nice to go somewhere different.. I am going to check Holmbury again for parking as would like to go up the firebreaks again!
 
These are the places I regularly box to:

Oxshott Heath - Park in the Oxshott station car park and you can hack over to West End and Fairmile Common. Plenty of nice sandy tracks.

Bookham Common - no cantering but good safe hacking for young horses

Wisley - I park in the car park by the cafe. Lots of sandy tracks just watch out for the 'men without dogs' :o

Norbury Park - Car park near Bocketts Farm and hack over towards Polesden Lacy, Ranmore or Box Hill
 
Fransurrey I have been very good this year I promise.....thr last time I went to Leith Hill was to do 2 bungee jumps for charity so Im not sure what it looks like the right way around!!
 
Thanks for all the info guys.

Going to go very close to home and just box over to Headley Heath. Lucy from Gasstons is kindly letting us park the box there, and if he won't load to come home at least I'll have the option of hacking back!
 
Lucy from Gasstons has hacking and XC jumps onsite - not sure if she hires them out?
We're in Westcott and have great hacking onto Ranmore and then Leith Hill way (as others have mentioned). I have thought about going up to Richmond Park for a hack round the sand tracks too - there are plenty of car parks but it does get busy, particularly at the weekends. Newlands Corner is also meant to be good.
 
Can't say Richmond Park appeals - inside the LEZ, full of cyclists, and way too busy for my liking. I don't want my canters being interrupted by Fenton!
 
I'm a fan of Woolgars Farm too, plenty of lorry parking and there's a toilet on site with hot running water!

If you plan to ride out from Newlands Corner just be aware that on Sundays the car park gets very busy early on.
There is usually a lot of bikers that park up there so it gets noisy.
And there is a horse and carriage that runs rides most Sundays - just to be aware of if your horse doesn't like carriages.

I've ridden alot round Redlands, but never boxed there as I was a livery in Westcott.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top