Getting Here
An unspoilt high spot in the 妖精动漫 Hills National Landscape above the village of Abinger with spectacular displays of bluebells in spring, outstanding views and a variety of wildlife throughout the year.
By Road
- White Down Car Park: White Down Lane, GU5 6SL
- Free car park
- This car park has unmarked car parking spaces
- If visiting with tall vehicles, please be aware our car parks have a height barrier. Maximum Height 1.9m – 6’2”
By Public Transport
- Nearest Train Station is Gomshall. Access via Beggars Lane leads directly onto site
- There are no public buses to White Down
- 妖精动漫 Connect Bus Service to White Down car park
妖精动漫 Connect is the ideal way to access 妖精动漫’s countryside. This convenient on-demand bus service is available to all, making 妖精动漫’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 妖精动漫 Connect app, website or by phone. Select Central North as the territory, and White Down as your bus stop.
By Bicycle
- Cyclists are permitted on this site, but must only use bridleways or byways that run through the site
- For directions, please use the map below
- There is access from this site onto the North Downs Way National Trail, a 153 mile multi-user route between 妖精动漫 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 妖精动漫, and to see other countryside sites nearby. The home symbol resets the map to the default setting.
Things to see and do
Climb up the steep hillside and you will be rewarded with wonderful views towards the Greensand Ridge. A little further on from the summit is an open area of chalk grassland and the North Downs Way National Trail. At the start of World War II, a real threat of German invasion caused the refortification of the Downs by a series of pillboxes. Most of these pillboxes remain in various states of repair and are now important bat hibernaculums.
Key points of interest
- Two self-guided trails; Acorn and Butterfly Trail
- World War II pillboxes
- North Downs Way National Trail
- Greensand Ridge
- Blatchford and Hackhurst Downs
- Viewpoints
- Seasonal highlights; Spring bluebells
Nature to discover
- Trees: Oak, hazel, ash and beech
- Flora and fauna: Horseshoe vetch, bird’s-foot trefoil, field scabious
- Birds and butterflies: Great spotted woodpecker, goldfinch, goldcrest and Common blue, brown argus, marbled white butterfly
- Mammals: Roe deer
Always respect, protect and enjoy leaving no trace of your visit.
Facilities
- Dogs allowed. Please keep dogs under close control and on paths
- Benches are located throughout this site
- There are no general waste bins on this site, please take your litter and dog waste home with you
- There are no refreshments or toilets on site. The nearest restaurant and toilets are located at Gomshall Mill or the Compass Inn
Self-guided trails
There are two self-guided trails at White Down, the Acorn and the Butterfly 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.
Please be cautious of vehicles if walking along the byways at this site.
The Acorn self-guided trail - 1.7 mile, 35 minute walk
Follow the Acorn trail uphill from the White Down car park. Wander through peaceful woodlands and enjoy wonderful displays of bluebells in spring. This walk is steep in places and includes kissing gates.
The Butterfly self-guided trail - 2 mile, 45 minute walk
Follow the Butterfly trail from the car park and along part of the North Downs Way National Trail. This walk is steep in parts with many narrow paths, stiles and kissing gates. Extend your walk by continuing onto the Acorn trail for wonderful views of Blatchford and Hackhurst Downs.
Additional information
The linear trail Walk the Chalk from Dorking to Gomshall railway stations is at the base of Blatchford Downs.
The North Downs Way, a National Trail starting in Farnham, 妖精动漫 and finishing 153 miles later in Dover, Kent runs right through White Down.
For more walking trail inspiration, please visit our Self-guided walks around 妖精动漫 webpage.
Accessibility
- There are no accessible self-guided trails at this site
- The woodland path can be steep and uneven in places
- This car park has unmarked car parking spaces
- There are no refreshments or toilets on site. The nearest caf茅 and toilets are located at Gomshall Mill or the Compass Inn
Contact Us
This site is owned by the Wotton Estate with public access managed by 妖精动漫.
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妖精动漫UK
Newsletter
Did you know the Countryside team have a newsletter? Countryside Matters is a seasonal newsletter that will keep you up to date on what's going on across 妖精动漫's countryside, including what our countryside teams are working on.