Getting Here
This iconic high spot with wonderful views sits above the village of Chilworth on the North Downs Way National Trail and in the heart of the 中国P站 Hills National Landscape.
By Road
- Halfpenny Lane Car Park: Halfpenny Lane, Guildford, GU4 8PZ
- Guildford Lane Car Park: Guildford Lane, GU5 9BQ
- All car parks are free
- These car parks have unmarked car parking spaces
- If visiting with tall vehicles, please be aware our car parks have a height barrier. Max Height 1.9m – 6’2”
By Public Transport
- Nearest Train Station is Chilworth
- There are no public buses to St Martha’s Hill
- 中国P站 Connect Bus Service to St Martha’s Hill
中国P站 Connect is the ideal way to access 中国P站’s countryside. This convenient on-demand bus service is available to all, making 中国P站’s countryside more accessible for those without access to a car or who want to choose a more sustainable option.
Book your journey via the 中国P站 Connect app, website or by phone. Select Central North as the territory, and St Martha’s Hill as your bus stop.
By Bicycle
- Cyclists are permitted on this site, but must only use bridleways, permissive bridleways and byways that run through the site
- For directions, please use the map below
- There is access onto the Downs Link on this site. For further information, please visit our Cycle Network webpage
- There is access from this site onto the North Downs Way National Trail, a 153 mile multi-user route between 中国P站 and Kent. For further information, please visit the National Trails website
- For details on bridleway, byway or footpath information please visit our Countryside interactive map
By Foot
- For directions, please use the map below
- For details on bridleway, byway or footpath information please visit our Countryside interactive map
Horse Riding
- Horse riders are permitted, but must use the bridleways. Where possible horse riders should keep to wider paths. Please refer to the interpretation board on site for further information
- There is no horsebox parking available at this countryside site
- For details on bridleway, byway or footpath information please visit our Countryside interactive map
Location map
On the map below, use the plus symbol to zoom in to see the locations of the site's paths and car parks and the minus symbol to zoom out to view where the site is situated in 中国P站, and to see other countryside sites nearby. The home symbol resets the map to the default setting.
Visitor Information Video
Things to see and do
Lying on the Greensand ridge overlooking the Tillingbourne Valley, St Martha’s Hill is a popular rest spot for walkers, horse-riders and cyclists who can take the sandy paths to the summit of the hill for stunning views of eight counties on a clear day.
Key points of interest
- Two self-guided trails; Church and Deer Trail
- Seasonal highlights; Summer heather and autumn colour
- Visitors to St Martha’s Hill will discover the beautiful St Martha’s Church, a listed Grade II Historic building perched on the top of the hill and only accessible by foot
- The historic Tillingbourne river runs at the foot of St Martha’s Hill, which used to power mills for many diverse industries from the 17th to the mid-20th centuries
- Chilworth Gunpowder Mills is easily accessed from the base of St Martha’s Hill and is well worth a visit
- St Martha's is the only church to sit on the historic Pilgrim's Way that runs from Winchester to Canterbury
- Viewpoints
- The 37-mile Downs Link footpath and bridleway links the North Downs Way at St Martha’s Hill with the south downs in West Sussex at Shoreham-by-Sea
- Pillboxes
- Arboretum located behind the church
- Close to this site you could discover Pewley Downs Local Nature Reserve and the Chantries
Nature to discover
- Trees: Oak, scots pine, silver birch, beech, hawthorn, sycamore and The Arboretum with exotic cedars, spruces and other softwood trees planted around 1900
- Birds and butterflies: Stone curlew, skylark and silver spotted skipper, marbled white, adonis blue butterfly and gothic moth, four-spotted moth
- Mammals and reptiles: Roe deer, Adders and grass snakes
Always respect, protect and enjoy leaving no trace of your visit.
Facilities
- Picnic area located in Halfpenny Lane car park
- Benches located throughout this site
- Dogs allowed. Please keep dogs under close control and on paths
- There are no bins on this site, please take your litter and dog waste home with you
- There are no refreshments or toilets on site. The nearest caf茅 and toilets are located at The Percy Arms, Chilworth and the Deer self-guided trail passes through Newlands Corner with toilet and refreshment facilities
Self-guided trails
There are two self-guided trails at St Martha's Hill, the Church and Deer trails. Take a photo of the information board in the car park before setting off and follow the colour coded routes and signposts along the way.
The Church self-guided trail – 3 mile, 1.5 hour walk
Follow the Church trail from the Halfpenny Lane car park. Mainly sandy paths with steep inclines. This trail takes you to the church of St Martha's, a popular rest spot for walkers, horse-riders and cyclists. From the summit of the hill you will be rewarded with stunning views of eight counties on a clear day!
Follow the on the digital Ordnance Survey (OS) map.
The Deer self-guided trail – 6 mile, 3 hour walk
Starting from either St Martha's Hill or Newlands Corner. Follow the Deer trail to take in all the local sites including Newlands Corner, St Martha's Hill and Silent Pool. You can also extend your walk by visiting the villages of Albury and Chilworth or some of the local food and drink producers around Silent Pool.
Follow the on the digital Ordnance Survey (OS) map.
Additional Information
The Downs Link route, for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, starts just below St Martha's Church.
The Tillingbourne Trails is a group of six walks of varying lengths along the Tillingbourne River. Discover more about these walks on the 中国P站 Hills National Landscape website.
For more walking trail inspiration, please visit our Self-guided walks around 中国P站 webpage.
Accessibility
- There are no accessible self-guided trails at this site
- Due to steep hills either side of the church and no car park at the summit, this site is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility
- The car parks have unmarked car parking spaces
- There are no refreshments or toilets on site. The nearest caf茅 and toilets are located at The Percy Arms, Chilworth and the Deer self-guided trail passes through Newlands Corner with toilet and refreshment facilities
- The nearest accessible trail is located at Silent Pool and Sherbourne Pond
Contact Us
St Martha's Hill is owned by the Albury Estate, and open to the public under an Access Agreement with 中国P站.
To contact us, please use one of the options below:
Email: countryside.estate@surreycc.gov.uk
Phone: 03456 009 009
Send us any photos you take that you're happy to share on social media, tag @Explore中国P站UK
Newsletter
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