Abinger Hammer, Surrey Hills
Abinger Roughs and Netley Park
Mixed-habitat reserve
Place photograph
7.2
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.2A two-mile nature trail and a waymarked tree trail thread through Abinger Roughs, while the nearby Wilberforce Memorial marks where Bishop Samuel Wilberforce fell from his horse in 1873.
This is more than a woodland stroll: open views, sandy-soil paths, a waymarked tree trail and an unexpectedly specific piece of local history give Abinger Roughs character. Netley Woods adds a steeper, more demanding contrast, with footpaths connecting to the North Downs Way.
Peaceful · Family-buzz · Atmospheric
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Open mapAbinger Hammer, Surrey Hills
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The experience
Make Abinger Roughs the easy-going centrepiece: follow the waymarked nature trail, pause at the Wilberforce Memorial and finish at the west-facing sunset seat. Add Netley Woods only if you want a steeper extension; its entrance is approached from Gomshall, where National Trust parking is not available.
Things to do
Follow the circular nature trail
Take the two-mile, fairly flat circular nature trail from the car park, following the posts or using a leaflet to discover the site.
Two miles; walking time not specified.
Explore the waymarked tree trail
Follow the two-mile waymarked trail for a more thorough exploration of the woods. Check the current leaflet or signs for the route.
Two miles; walking time not specified.
Find the Wilberforce Memorial
Look for the large granite memorial near the Roughs car park. It marks where Samuel Wilberforce fell from his horse on 19 July 1873.
Pause at the sunset seat
Take an evening stroll across the Roughs and rest at the sunset seat for views west towards Hackhurst Farm and up towards Hackhurst Down and Kingswood.
Cycle the leafy route
Join National Cycle Network route 22 at Abinger Roughs. The National Trust also describes bridlepaths crossing the Roughs, with hills and bumpy ground.
Explore Netley Woods
Footpaths run through Netley Park, including part of the North Downs Way. The National Trust notes a steep climb to Netley Woods; there is no National Trust parking at Netley Park.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1–2 hours; route distance is two miles.
Quick Escape: nature trail and memorial
- 01
Start at Abinger Roughs car park on White Down Lane.
- 02
Follow the waymarked two-mile circular nature trail, using the posts or a leaflet.
- 03
Pause at the Wilberforce Memorial near the car park.
- 04
If time and weather allow, finish at the sunset seat for west-facing views.
Half day · Allow around half a day, including a second walk or unhurried pauses; exact walking time is not specified by the source.
Make a Half Day of It: tree trail and open views
- 01
Begin with the two-mile circular nature trail from Abinger Roughs car park.
- 02
Follow the two-mile waymarked tree trail for a closer exploration of the woods; check locally whether it overlaps the nature trail.
- 03
Visit the Wilberforce Memorial and take a rest at the sunset seat.
- 04
For a more strenuous extension, explore Netley Woods from Gomshall, allowing for the steep climb and arranging parking separately.
- 05
Check current local food options before setting out; no specific nearby café or pub is verified by the supplied research.
Verified history
The National Trust says the granite Wilberforce Memorial near the Roughs car park marks the spot where Samuel Wilberforce, Bishop of Winchester, fell from his horse on 19 July 1873. The supplied official sources do not substantiate the source row’s Iron Age claims, so those are not included as verified history.
Hidden details
The memorial marks a precise accident site — The granite memorial is near the Roughs car park and marks the place where Samuel Wilberforce fell from his horse on 19 July 1873—not simply a general tribute to the bishop.
The sunset seat has a named outlook — From the seat, the National Trust identifies views west towards Hackhurst Farm and up onto Hackhurst Down and Kingswood.
When to go
March · April · May · June · September · October · Early morning for a quieter visit, or a clear evening for the sunset-seat views; these are suggestions rather than guaranteed conditions.
The source row describes spring wildflowers and autumn colour, while the National Trust confirms that the sandy-soil paths attract walkers all year. Seasonal displays and exact peak dates are not guaranteed.
Wear suitable footwear and check conditions before setting out. Paths at Netley Woods include a steep climb; Abinger Roughs has many smooth, fairly level paths. No specific weather closures or seasonal opening times are confirmed.
The route
- surface
- Not specified. Many paths are smooth and fairly level; the source row describes natural terrain as potentially challenging in places.
- distance
- Two miles for the circular nature trail; two miles for the waymarked tree trail. The supplied source does not establish whether these routes overlap.
- difficulty
- The two-mile circular nature trail is described as fairly flat. Netley Woods has a steep climb.
- waymarking
- Follow posts or pick up a leaflet for the nature trail; the tree trail is waymarked.
- route shape
- Circular nature trail; tree-trail route shape not specified.
- start point
- Abinger Roughs car park on White Down Lane for the circular nature trail. Netley Woods can be approached by a footpath from Gomshall.
- parking start
- Limited parking at Abinger Roughs car park; no National Trust parking at Netley Park. The National Trust says to park in Gomshall village for the Netley Park entrance.
- Two-mile circular nature trail
- Two-mile waymarked tree trail
- Wilberforce Memorial
- Sunset seat and west-facing views
- Footpaths including part of the North Downs Way at Netley Park
Worth pairing with
Netley Woods and the North Downs Way
A worthwhile extension for walkers wanting a steeper route: National Trust footpaths cross Netley Park and include part of the North Downs Way. Plan the start carefully because there is no National Trust parking at Netley Park.
National Cycle Network route 22
A cycling extension from Abinger Roughs along the leafy route at the foot of the North Downs; the National Trust also notes hilly, bumpy bridlepaths.
What to look for
- 01
Find the granite Wilberforce Memorial near the Roughs car park, then look for the sunset seat and the open views towards Hackhurst Farm, Hackhurst Down and Kingswood. On the tree trail, notice how the route moves through the woods
- 02
do not collect wild plants or fungi.
The story
The Wilberforce Memorial commemorates the place where Samuel Wilberforce fell from his horse in 1873.
Best time to go
Year-round; spring for woodland flowers, autumn for changing leaves, and clear evenings for the west-facing views.
Try a clear evening for the westward views from the sunset seat. Early mornings or weekdays may be quieter, though the National Trust does not publish a specific quiet-time guarantee.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Families · Young children · Dogs · Cyclists · Photographers
Practical information
Opening & access
National Trust paths cross Abinger Roughs and Netley Park. Limited parking is available at Abinger Roughs; there is no National Trust parking at Netley Park. Access routes and current conditions should be checked before visiting.
Check before visiting
Parking
Limited parking at Abinger Roughs car park on White Down Lane, RH5 6QS. No National Trust parking at Netley Park; visitors are directed to park in Gomshall village for the Netley Park entrance. Check current parking information before travelling.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
No on-site café is confirmed. The source row mentions pubs and tea rooms in nearby villages; check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Well-controlled dogs are welcome. Keep dogs on leads where livestock are grazing. Dog-waste bins are provided at Abinger Roughs car park.
Accessibility
The National Trust says many paths are smooth and fairly level, and accessible parking is available at Abinger Roughs. The climb to Netley Woods is steep; suitability depends on the route and conditions.
Cost
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Check before visiting
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Abinger Roughs and Netley Park
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
