In summer, take the train to Dorking for a stroll with spectacular panoramas, gourmet food and fine English wines
With superb views over the Surrey countryside from the summit of Box Hill, the setting for the picnic scene in Jane Austen's Emma, this circular walk from Dorking station meanders through England's largest vineyard. After the steep ascent of Box Hill, the route descends to follow the North Downs Way and cross the River Mole, then returns to Denbies Wine Estate, where a gourmet lunch with fine wines awaits. Follow the Mole Gap Trail back to Dorking.
Exit Dorking station, taking the subway under the A24, and turn right along a footpath to Chichester Road, where you turn left, and left again at the junction. After passing Foxwarren House as the road curves to the left, look diagonally across for a partially obscured sign and track marked "Westhumble 1.5m". Follow the track to a junction and turn right towards Denbies Wine Estate along the Mole Gap Trail. Keep straight on by the vines and through the gate, following the signs to Westhumble.
A few hundred yards after crossing a tarmac lane, exit on to a single-track road. Go right, pass Pilgrims Way House and continue along the footpath until you reach the archway to Leladene on your left and a blue plaque commemorating the 18th-century novelist Fanny Burney. Next door is the timberframed Westhumble Chapel, which is not always open. The ruins of a much older chapel are further uphill on Chapel Lane.
Go downhill on the single-track road passing Boxhill & Westhumble station to reach the Stepping Stones pub. Cross the A24 under the subway. Follow the blue sign left to Box Hill, ignoring the turn off to a field track on the right. Cross the River Mole and pass the Burford Bridge Hotel on your right, where John Keats finished Endymion.
After 100 yards, go right and up the steps to Box Hill. Cresting the hill, follow the track right and then straight on to reach the gravestone of Major Peter Labellière, who was buried here, upside down, in 1800. Considering the world to be "topsy-turvy", he thought that he would eventually end up the right way up.
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