Leith Hill

Leith Hill

Leith Hill is Surrey’s highest natural summit at 294 m (965 ft), on the wooded Greensand ridge southwest of Dorking. Its 247 m prominence qualifies it as a Marilyn. The natural high point is a grassy knoll with a seat, about 20 m northwest of the tower; the knoll is 0.7 m above the ground at the tower’s base.

The hill and the tower

The Grade II-listed folly was built for Richard Hull in 1764–65. Its battlements and stair turret were added in 1864, so the original building predates the Victorian period. The tower’s viewing platform is above 1,000 ft above sea level; this is separate from the hill’s elevation. Clear-weather views reach across the Weald towards the South Downs, with the London skyline to the north. The English Channel is a distant, visibility-dependent view from the tower.

The tower and Leith Hill Place are closed for winter 2026/27, with reopening planned for spring 2027. The refreshment kiosk at the foot of the tower has separate opening arrangements.

Choosing a walk

The orange woodland circuit starts and finishes at Windy Gap, visiting Leith Hill Place, Rhododendron Wood and the tower. Allow 1–2 hours for its 4 km; the return includes a substantial flight of steps. The green heathland circuit starts and ends at the tower, visiting Duke’s Warren and Coldharbour cricket pitch. Its 3.04 km and approximately one hour exclude reaching the tower from a car park. Both routes include steep ground despite their easy published grades.

Windy Gap is the short, stepped approach; Starveall Corner provides a longer, gentler approach. Landslip is another steep approach. Car parks have different charging arrangements, so use the named parking information rather than a single generic “Leith Hill car park”. There are no toilets at the tower; house facilities depend on Leith Hill Place being open.

Landscape and history

Resistant chert at the top of the Hythe Beds protects softer sands beneath. Lower down, these rest on Atherfield Clay and Weald Clay, helping explain the steep escarpment and spring lines. The surrounding landscape mixes woodland, parkland and heath. Rhododendron Wood is particularly colourful in May and June; Duke’s Warren supports sensitive heathland wildlife.

Leith Hill Place was Ralph Vaughan Williams’ childhood home. In its grounds, Darwin’s worm stone recalls his studies of earthworms and soil movement. The hill’s name is usually associated with Old English hlith, a slope or hillside.

Underfoot

Expect uneven paths, steep sections and steps rather than a uniformly level stroll. Wet ground can be slippery. The woodland circuit crosses roads and farmland; the heathland route shares sections with cyclists. Keep dogs controlled around grazing animals and follow seasonal wildlife signs.