Claygate, Ashtead Common, Prince’s Coverts

This is one of the most unexpected and unusual walks on this site. It takes you through a succession of beautiful woodland paths with very little to mar the enjoyment. Three things make it unique: - Chessington World of Adventures which you pass close by briefly (but mainly unseen). - The distant traffic. It feels quite surreal knowing you’re not far from the city trunk roads and yet, apart from two bridge crossings of the A3, not seeing any trace of “civilisation”. In fact, the meadows and woodland here are as fine as anything you will find deep in the Sussex Weald. - Prince’s Coverts. This wild nature reserve is a well-kept secret gem: there are people who have lived in this area but don’t know about it. Yet it is large and wide-ranging, and slap bang in the middle of the Surrey stockbroker belt; it will give you enjoyment over the years. Till recently (2014) you needed a key to get out of this secret place. There's more info in the text below. Do a web search and download the brochure! Another gem along the way, Ashtead Common, will open your eyes. This is a wild and complex expanse of woods where you can easily lose yourself, by accident or design. Claygate too has some good stretches of woodland. Central to the walk is an excellent pub / restaurant, the Star, hugely popular with motorists, ideal for walkers (ring 01372-842416 for info). There are a few patches of nettles and brambles on this walk but there is one path with thick undergrowth (after the Leatherhead Road), so shorts are a big problem in high summer. But this is a very good walk for summer and early autumn when strong sensible shoes or trainers are adequate, except after heavy rain. But you can still do this walk in the winter or wetter seasons provided that you are prepared for quite a bit of mud and moisture.