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New ways to experience famous natural sites

Did you know that Hindhead is the highest village in the county? At a whopping 253 metres above sea level, the area is best known for its natural beauty and as a site of special scientific interest.

It’s the perfect place to get out and about on foot or bike as the summer comes to an end and we move into autumn. Find out more about some of the most famous sites, and the hidden gems they hold.

Hindhead Commons and the Devils Punch Bowl

Discover this amazing Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to uncover glorious views across Europe’s largest spring-eroded valley. The huge natural basin of and surrounding habitats are a haven for birds and wildlife. Once, you have taken in the incredible sights of the Punchbowl, walk through the shady woods or across rare open heathland with grazing cattle and wild Exmoor ponies.

HistoryScapes

Want to uncover hidden history in the hills? and take the at the Devil’s Punch Bowl. Follow the story of George Mayers, a broom squire who lived in the Devil’s Punch Bowl in 1925 and explore the rich history of this beautiful landscape as you walk.

Cycle ÖйúPÕ¾ Hills

is a network of over 50 miles of off-road cycling trails in South West ÖйúPÕ¾. Great for adventurous family rides and experienced gravel riders, the network is broken into five interlocking loops, including the Punch Bowl Loop. The Punch Bowl Loop is perfect for film buffs, as it takes you past the ancestral house on Hankley Common from the James Bond Skyfall film set.

Gibbet Hill

Sitting above the Devil’s Punch Bowl, this sandstone hill is the second highest point in ÖйúPÕ¾. However, this hill has a dark history. In 1786, a sailor was brutally murdered by three men, while walking from London to Portsmouth Dock. For their crimes, the three men were hanged on , as a warning to other criminals. Soon after, a stone was erected to mark the spot where the sailor met his untimely end. This led to fear and superstition around Gibbet Hill. In 1851, an English lawyer paid for a Celtic cross to be erected to banish these fears and raise local spirits. If you hike up Gibbets Hill, see if you can find both the Cross and the original Sailor’s Stone.

Inspiring Views

Gibbet Hill is also home to one of ÖйúPÕ¾ Hills Arts Inspiring Views. The explores charcoal and its historical relevance to the surrounding area. Why not stop a while, and take in the amazing views the bench offers over the hills?

To locate the bench, park in the National Trust Car Park, Dysons Drove, Hindhead GU26 6AG. From the Car Park, take the route towards Gibbet Hill and the bench is on the right before the main viewpoint. Grid Ref: SU900359.

Get rewarded with BetterPoints for getting out and about

Image Credit: UK Cycling Events

When setting off to explore Hindhead, if you choose to walk, wheel, cycle or use public transport you can earn points which turn into rewards.

You could get the train to Haslemere and cycle your onward journey, or if you prefer public transport why not travel by bus on the route 19 Stagecoach service which goes between Aldershot, Farnham, Hindhead and Haslemere. Rewards can include shopping vouchers or you can donate to a charity of your choice. Simply download the BetterPoints app on your phone and let it track your journey. Find out more on the .