17th July Sheepleas

Walk: 17^th July. Sheepleas, East Horsley KT24 6TA TQ 088526.  Pub: The Duke of Wellington

9 walkers AP, MD, IP, JE, SE, EF, DG, FM leader RM   Weather: Sunshine and showers

Nine walkers left St Mary’s car park, West Horsley promptly at 10 am, optimistically hoping there would be no rain showers. St Mary’s church holds a gruesome secret, the head of Sir Walter Raleigh buried in the chapel! Sheepleas itself was described by the amateur naturalist, Charles Rothschild, as ‘The finest piece of entomological and botanical ground within 30 miles of London’. It did indeed prove delightful.

We set off through mixed woodland but quickly reached an area of open chalk grassland full of blue and yellow flowers: clustered bell flower, agrimony, oxeye daisies to name but a few. Our next point of interest was the Millennium View Point where, even without binoculars, London landmarks such as The Shard, The Gherkin, The Walkie Talkie and Canary Wharf were all identified. A few of the promised butterflies also fluttered across our path. More spotting!

An unexpected heavy shower slowed our progress for a while as we sheltered in the next woodland and donned waterproofs if we had them. Suitably clad, we continued through a variety of wide mixed woodland paths towards the Greene Dene Road. After crossing we entered a narrow path slightly overgrown with bracken which Richard had valiantly trimmed back a few days earlier.

We gradually climbed 40 metres to be rewarded by our coffee stop in Mountain Wood. We were now in coniferous plantation with huge Douglas fir trees towering over us and those at the front spotted a roe deer. We then turned into a delightful open woodland ride and were soon entertained by identifying the huge silver washed fritillary butterflies which posed dramatically on the bracken.

As we neared Honeysuckle Bottom, we realised that the Lovelace Bridge diversion was for another time and crossed back over the road into the Green Dene Plantation with its Yew Avenue. Soon we reached three very special linked open grass meadows full of Bell flowers, harebells, scabious etc. and a few pyramidal orchids. Plenty more butterflies, including lots of marbled whites, fluttered about and then we were finally in the last bit of woodland leading back to the carpark. A most enjoyable walk of just over 4 miles but it was good to have the time to appreciate such special surroundings.

Seven of us went on to the nearby Duke of Wellington, a comfortable and friendly pub with delicious food, before making our way back to Secretts. 

_________________________________________________________________________________

The 4 mile walk will take us through areas of open chalk grassland, full of flowers and butterflies and mixed woodland with open rides. There are neither steps nor stiles, no mud and just a gradual ascent to a stunning view of central London. There is also an option, if the group wishes, for a slight extension to view one of the interesting  Lovelace bridges, one of 15 built in the 1860s by Lord Lovelace (husband to Aida Lovelace) to facilitate the bringing of timber down to the road by horse and cart.

We will start from St Mary's car park ( KT24 6TA ,  TQ 088526  ruler.nest.taps) off the A246. It is on the right  past the Bell and Colvill Lotus garage roundabout on the edge of West Horsley . The main car park is down the lane, not the small car park directly opposite the church.