Hiking in Surrey - Gomshall Mill Pub & North Downs

There is no dearth of quaint buildings in Surrey. So far, the quaintest of them all has been the Gomshall Mill Pub. A 17th century riverside mill with original beams and floor boards, there is a tiny river that still runs through this building! Starting the hike up to North Downs on a misty December morning, the air was fresh, crisp and heady with petrichor (which means the pleasant smell when rain falls on dry soil - latest addition to my vocabulary; courtesy of my 12 year old son). The dried leaves were rustling underfoot, the moss shone a brilliant green. And at the end of a grueling 6 mile hike, a festive, cozy little pub awaited the muddy boots and sweaty shirts. The picture of the telephone booth outside the pub and that of the cozy interior was taken by my friend Amanda of the AWS Country hikes, who has been foremost in introducing me to this beautiful landscape of Surrey.

 

    

Hiking in Surrey - Windsor & Eton

     Windsor, a lovely town on River Thames, in south east England is home to Windsor Castle, a residence of the British Royal Family. It is also across the river from the town of Eton, which is home to Eton College. An independent boarding school for boys aged 13-18, Eton College was established in 1440 by King Henry VI and is one of ten 'public schools' in England. It has educated British Prime Ministers, aristocrats and scores of fictional characters including Bertie Wooster, Captain Hook and Mark Darcy. Walking along the Thames in a loop going from the Windsor castle, and along the various buildings that form the Eton College, I did see scores of fresh faced boys in coat tails rushing about with an air of purpose; whether genuine or forced upon them, I couldn't tell. We were constantly reminded not to take pictures which would show the faces of these boys. You never know which billionaire, President or King is paying the meagre £37000 and change per year to educate their sons here, to take over the world. I did, however take lots of pictures of the Crooked house, delightful pubs, swans frolicking on the river and pastoral landscapes that soothe the soul.

The Crooked House of Windsor, built around 1687, stands on an 'outrageous  slant' and is still in use.

The Windsor Castle

Do you know the way to...

                                   

What's in a name?....

....this describes it well.

Nothing else matters.

Hiking in Surrey - RHS Garden Wisley

Wisley, one of four gardens run by the Royal Horticultura Society (RHS) was founded by a Victorian businessman George Fergus Wilson in 1878. From a site of 60 acres, it has now grown into a large and diverse garden covering almost 240 acres. The diversity of the plants and associated gardens makes it impossible to appreciate everything in one visit. I will surely be going back a couple of times at least especially in Spring.

Roses, Dahlias, Sunflowers, giant Hydrangeas and so many more flowers....

       

Productive and pretty apple and pear trees, trained to grow in restricted spaces, so as to be suitable for small gardens.

                                

Hiking in Surrey - Denbies Vineyard

A vineyard in the south east of England? Sure,why not? And if 265 acres of grape vines on the gentle slopes of the hills around you are not a good enough view, why not climb the said hill!

And be sure to say "Hiya" to some sturdy Galloways and resting sheep as you take in the magnificent view.

                               

Hiking in Surrey - Box Hill

     'Leafy Surrey' as it is known in England is an area of rolling chalk downs, ancient woodlands, canals, rivers and impeccably landscaped gardens. With woodlands covering over a fifth of its area, Surrey has the honor of being the most wooded county in England. Hence, this is the ideal place to indulge in one of the great English past times - all weather Walking. Whether by themselves, in groups or with their furry four-legged companions. the English love to walk. The hikers, the Ramblers and even the runners - this beautiful countryside beckons them all. 

Box Hill and Stepping Stones Pub walk

     Box Hill is a summit in the North Downs, with a maximum elevation of 735 feet. Lying within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), these chalk slopes support over 40 species of trees and wildlife. If you are brave enough to climb the hill, which featured in the 2012 Summer Olympics cycling road race events, you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the English country side that you could only have imagined, as a teenager, reading Thomas Hardy.  

The quaint little pub at the end of the walk is no small consolation either.