Time: About 1 hour

Distance: 2.6 miles

This is a lovely varied walk and gives a quick overview of Brockham and Betchworth.

1. Starting at Brockham Village Green, Christ Church, built in 1847, dominates the south side. Looking north you can see the Brockham Hills and the conspicuous white building of Brockham Warren, one time home to Sir Benjamin Brodie, surgeon general to Queen Victoria. Take the right hand path towards the Duke's Head and at the pub turn right into a cul de sac. At the end of the lane is The Pound. This was where livestock were kept that were let lose on the Green in contravention of Brockham's 1812 Act of Parliament. Take the signed path on the opposite side of the lane from the Pound.
2. The path takes you down to the banks of the River Mole. As you walk down you will notice the Brockham Bowls Clubhouse and Green on the opposite bank. This area around the readily River floods in wet weather and the path is often impassable during the rainy November months.
3. After crossing the bridge you climb Mill Hill. On the right is the Old Orchard, maintained by Poland Charities. You will notice the first of many World War II 'pill boxes' which were part of the GHQ Line. The path joins the Greensand Way at the top. Follow the path towards Betchworth. As you leave the houses to the north of the path you also leave Brockham Parish boundary.
4. The walk runs along the top of the banks of the River Mole. When you exit into a large open field, looking north you can see the Brockham Hills were limestone and hearthstone were quarried in the late 18th century. In the late summer these fields are rich yellow with wheat.
5. You eventually come to a gate at the end of the path which runs between a small wooded area and a farm. Take this path. Please note that in wet weather it can be very muddy. The path takes you to St Michael's Church, Betchworth. It is worth taking a small detour to the left after the farm buildings to see the Burial Ground. St Michael's is of Anglo Saxon origin and is recorded in the Domesday Book. Exit the Church Grounds through the gate at the westerly end. There is an inscription written around the arch.
6. The Dolphin pub stands opposite on the corner of Wonham Lane and The Street. Turn right (south) down The Street alongside the high walls of Betchworth House and cross Betchworth Bridge. Immediately after the bridge is a footpath to the right which takes you across an open field and up a slight incline to a small wood.
7. The path in Dendy's Wood drops to a small footbridge and can be very slippery when wet. There is a short climb up to a stile which exits into an open field. The stile is a little unsafe so be careful. The path divides here. The left branch cuts across to Wellhouse Lane and Holly Cottage. You should keep to the edge of the wood on the right hand path which takes you across the ridge overlooking the River Mole and Betchworth.There is plenty to see from this view, including- Hartfield Manor, Betchworth House, a number of pill boxes in the 'GHQ Line' and the Betchworth Hills.
8. Follow the path to the edge of Old Park Wood and climb the stile. Old Park Wood is beautiful in spring with a carpet of bluebells. Strood Green can be seen to the south west, dominated by the distinctive rooftops of Kenward Court. At the edge of the wood bear right (north) and descend slowly to the edge of Brockham Village. The path takes you along the back of houses in Oakdene Close and the allotment gardens, eventually bringing you out in Juniper Walk.
9. At the junction of Juniper Walk and Wheeler's Lane is the distinctive property of Way House (now four houses). Way House was the Brockham Industrial School, founded in 1859 by Hon Mrs Emmeline Way of Wonham Manor. The School prepared orphaned girls for domestic service. Walking along Wheeler's Lane you will pass Brockham School on the right. Immediately after the School on the right, was once the Vicarage Rose Garden, the pride and joy of the incumbent Rev Alan B Cheales in the nineteenth century. Before entering the gate at Christ Church, to complete your walk, you can see Anthony West House which was once the Vicarage. Anthony West House was named after the Rev Anthony West who was incumbent in the 1950's and gave so much support to local organisations.

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© Nick Caddick. This page was last revised on Wednesday, 04-Aug-2004 4:32 PM .