National Trust - Reigate Hill and Gatton Park — Attraction in Reigate and Banstead

Area within Surrey Hills with a number of walking/cycling routes and bridle paths. There are some stunning views from this location. I used the car park which is situated just a few minutes from the M25 junction 8 I chose the route that leads to Reigate fort. There you will find the remains of the fort which has some info boards giving some insight into what once happened there. Onwards from there I walked through some beautiful woodland, the route is not challenging with just a gentle slope. I came to a clearing where a U.S flying fortress aircraft came down during the war and there is an information board there plus two wooden wing tips showing the width of the aircraft. Further on the woodland gives way to a chalk grassland with a lovely flat path. It is here you will get a fantastic view across the downs , at this time the golds and yellow hues of the trees as their leaves are falling for the winter. Passing some smaller areas of woodland I was surprised to see cattle resting in the woodland. I've put up a number of photos for you to see and this is if just one route. The National Trust are involved in managing this area and there are numerous other sites in the area including Leith Hill and Box Hill which offer more stunning views but are more challenging. There is a refreshments kiosk in the car park with a number of picnic tables and there are toilets there with baby changing facilities. Sadly the area is not really suitable for wheelchair users as some areas have steps. Dogs are welcome but must be kept under control where there is livestock. It is...

While in carpark looking at Reigate Hill view point and standing next to the Junction 8 café turn right and walk over the white bridge and the A217, first thing you can see is the London skyline 🏙 just before a small Junction in a clearing on the right. Walk past the houses on the left to find the entrance to the Reigate Fort, further on is the clearing and memorial to the B17 nine crew members from 384th bombardment group US 🇺🇸 Air Corps, keep walking you will find the Inglis Memorial 🏛, Colley Hill water tower and Reigate view point. The 45th picture & onwards in this review are the walk to Gatton Park circular 2 mile walk which (North Downs Way Circular Walk) is left while looking at the view point, I suggest going to Wingate hill (on Google maps) first as this can be missed at the end of your walk, this view point designed by Capability Brown shows you part of your walk and you can sit on the bench and decide which way to walk clockwise (left) or anticlockwise (right) I and most people go left back up the hill on the path that follows Gatton Bottom Road when at the bottom of this trail house on your left (Tower lodge cottage) turn right which leads to the Millennium stones on the right from here turn right at the junction (unless you have paid to go into the school only on the last Sunday of every month) and walk past the Hop Garden Pond, once past the pond on your right is the Wingate Hill view point in...

sunny day, with golden light spilling through the woodland canopy, and rolling hills stretching out like a postcard-perfect view. The Millennium Stones, standing tall and weathered, felt even more striking in the sunshine—like silent storytellers of the past. Every turn in the path brought something new: the gentle shimmer of Gatton Lake, meadows bursting with wildflowers, and the ever-changing landscapes that made the walk feel like stepping through different chapters of history.

And, of course, Shadow was in his element. At one point, he confidently trotted ahead, tail wagging like he was leading an expedition—until he reached a particularly muddy patch leftover from earlier rains. Cue the hesitation. After a dramatic pause (as if weighing up the pros and cons of muddy paws), he went for it... and promptly sank deeper than expected! The next few minutes involved some enthusiastic scrambling, a VERY unimpressed look in my direction, and a victorious shake-off that showered everything nearby with mud. Mission accomplished, Shadow.

By the end, the Junction 8 café stop felt well-earned, and Shadow took his rightful spot in the shade, watching the world go by—probably plotting his...