RH3 7DF

NEIGHBOURHOOD REPORT

RH3 7DF - Box Hill

Box Hill is a summit of the North Downs in Surrey, approximately 31 km (19 mi) south-west of London. It is named after the ancient box woodland found on the steepest west-facing chalk slopes overlooking the River Mole. The western part of the hill is owned and managed by the National Trust, whilst the village of Box Hill lies on higher ground to the east. The highest point is Betchworth Clump at 224 m (735 ft) above OD, although the Salomons Memorial (at 172 metres) overlooking the town of Dorking is the most popular viewpoint.

Box Hill is part of the Surrey Hills National Landscape and forms part of the Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment Site of Special Scientific Interest. The north- and south-facing slopes support an area of chalk downland, noted for its orchids and other rare plant species. The hill provides a habitat for 38 species of butterfly, and has given its name to a species of squash bug, now found throughout south-east England.

An estimated 850,000 people visit Box Hill each year. The National Trust visitors' centre provides both a cafeteria and gift shop, and panoramic views of the western Weald may be enjoyed from the North Downs Way, a long-distance footpath that runs along the south-facing scarp slope. Box Hill featured prominently on the route of the 2012 Summer Olympics cycling road race events." [1]

Situated in local authority Brockham, Betchworth and Buckland, Box Hill is classed as urban with significant rural (rural including hub towns 26-49%). Nearest towns are Betchworth (1 miles away), Tadworth (3 miles away), Dorking (3 miles away), with the capital city, London being 21 miles away.

Surrey

It is easy to think of Surrey as simply a rich suburb of London for wealthy commuters to spend their bonuses. But that would be to ignore some of the magnificent landscapes and important historical sites that lie at the heart of Surrey.

The Surrey Hills, for example, are quite beautiful and have been declared an Area of Outstanding Natural beauty whose lush valleys have inspired musicians, writers and artists for hundreds of years. Dotted around the hills are numerous charming and historic market towns with bustling markets and shops and a wealth of old English heritage.

From Runnymede Meadow in Egham and the Magna Carta Memorial (where King John met up with the 25 barons and signed possibly the most famous document in history) to the gorgeous county town of Farnham with some of southern England's finest Georgian architecture and a castle dating back to the 12th century, to Dorking, birthplace of composer Vaughn Williams and hundreds of other villages and towns, there are plenty of picturesque historic spots across Surrey. Most famous of all is Hampton Court Palace, built for Cardinal Wolsey by Henry VIII in 1514 and one of the most famous buildings in all of England. Similarly, the Royal Botanic Kew Gardens (the world's leading botanic gardens) are also impossible to avoid and one of the UK's most recognizable attractions.

Getting out and about there are famous sporting arenas such as the Oval for the cricket or Epsom for the racing. And for walkers and ramblers, bikers and hikers there are the Greensand Hills and the epic chalk hills of the North Downs Way and something approaching 6,500 acres of countryside to explore, including trails that run along the rivers Wey, Thames and Mole.

Lastly, for daytime entertainment of a different kind there is Chessington World of Adventures and for laid back nightlife there are the numerous bars and clubs of Guildford.

Where is it?

Location
Box Hill

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Ward
Brockham, Betchworth and Buckland

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Local Authority
Mole Valley

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Council

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Constituency

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County
Surrey

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Region
South East

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Country
England

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Classification
Urban with Significant Rural (rural including hub towns 26-49%)

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Area Type
Non-metropolitan District

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ONS GSS ID
E00155685

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LSOADZ_NAME
Mole Valley 008D

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Government ID
Mole Valley 008

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Coordinates
51.243, -0.269

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Phone Code
(01306) xxxxxx

Nearby Towns

Betchworth	0.9 mi
Tadworth	3.1 mi
Dorking	3.1 mi
Reigate	3.1 mi
Brighton	29.2 mi
Reading	33 mi
Portsmouth	47.3 mi
London	20.7 mi
Cardiff	125.9 mi
Edinburgh	344.2 mi