SURREY HILLS

HOW TO GET HERE

The Surrey Hills lie south of London, just outside the M25, between Dorking and Guildford, o the A25. There are a lot of car parks in the area, which get busy, along with railway stations in Dorking and Gomshall.

WHY COME HERE?

There are so many excellent trails to ride, for all abilities and with great facilities, all set in a picturesque part of the country, which is easily accessible for people in South East England. You can camp or glamp – cooking your dinner under the stars and going for a wild swim – or enjoy luxury hotel rooms, eat at great restaurants and drink craft ales in lovely country pubs.

WHERE TO START

PEASLAKE

With its village shop/cafe, pub and bike shop, this place is a firm favourite with riders, so arrive early to get a space in the free public car park, behind the Hurtwood Hotel (grid ref TQ 086/448, postcode GU5 9RR). An alternative is Hurtwood Car Park 2 (Walking Bottom), on the road past the village hall

(TQ 084/445, GU5 9QW).

HOLMBURY ST MARY

A good base in the heart of the action, between Holmbury Hill and Leith Hill. It’s got a YHA hostel (at the end of the Telegraph Road trail) and a good pub (the Royal Oak), with another (the Stephan Langton Inn) not far away. Park in Hurtwood Car Park 14, in Radnor Lane (TQ 104/450, RH5 6NW); Hurtwood Car Park 9, on the B2126 (TQ 108/451, RH5 6NJ); or at the village hall (TQ 107/442, RH5 6PG).

SHERE

With easy access from the A25, a free car park, cafes, shops and pubs, Shere village is an ideal base (TQ 073/480, GU5 9HF).

LEITH HILL

For a quick stop and a blast down the Summer Lightning trail, use the Starveall car park on Leith Hill Road (TQ 131/433, RH5 6LU).

NOTE: If you want a wider choice of accommodation, pubs, restaurants and nightlife, head to Dorking.

WHAT TO RIDE

Must-ride trails here include Curly Wurly, T-Trails, Barry Knows Best, Yoghurt Pots, Telegraph Road and Summer Lightning.