Providing a gateway to the Surrey Hills, Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl is as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Managed by the National Trust, it’s a great place to explore with a myriad of footpaths and waymarked trails at varying levels of difficulty. The natural amphitheatre is breath taking displaying slopes covered with heath, streams and woodland. If you’re lucky you might even spot the wild ponies or cattle that reside there. We didn’t catch them on this occasion but we have many times in the past.
If you’re looking to blow away a few cobwebs, it’s a great place to do so even if you just take the Sailor’s Stroll. Around a mile in length, it’s perfect for little legs and certainly provides that much needed burst of fresh country air. There’s much for the small ones to discover with plenty of trees to climb, balance along and in POD’s case, launch off. Great for the senses too what with much to see, smell and touch. This route is a peaceful spot for a walk but add a four year old to the mix and the quiet is replaced with excitement and laughter!
The Sailor’s Stroll is an interesting trail with the Sailor’s stone marking the spot where an unknown sailor met his death in 1786. He’d been beheaded by three men whilst walking from London to Portsmouth. The three were taken that day and hung in chains at nearby Gibbet Hill which is the second highest point in Surrey. On a clear day you can see London and other Surrey Hills such as Leith Hill and Box Hill.
The Celtic Cross marks the spot where the villains were tried and hung. Listed by the English Heritage as a Grade II listed monument, it was erected to dispel local rumours that the hill was haunted by ghosts of the highwaymen. It’s a beautiful place to take a breath and the views are just superb. Having had a quick rest, POD took it upon herself to sing a line from the Sound of Music while perched on a bench.
We can laugh about it now but we did get really lost at the Devil’s Punch Bowl once – for a few hours! The POD Father had decided we wouldn’t follow the map and walk back on ourselves (which you do with the Sailor’s Stroll). We ended up at the bottom of the Devil’s Punch Bowl on the hiking trail with a buggy! Although we did go slightly off piste on this occasion, we weren’t far from the car park at that point so didn’t have far to go. It really is a great place to blow away all the cobwebs and the views as you can see are just magnificent. 
I’ve been past the Devil’s Punch Bowl so many times on my way down the A3 but never ventured into it. I’d love to have a wander in it but I would be afraid of getting lost!
What a fun way to spend some family time. I LOVE the name Devil’s Punch Bowl. I shall keep an eye out for it should I ever be in the area.
We love waking and this place looks wonderful and so pretty.I love the scenery.
What a great name for a place!
Your photos are fab as always x x
I used to drive past The Devils Punch Bowl on the way to one of my clients when we lived in berkshire. We never did manage to visit though! I adore POD’s hat.
I think I too would belt out a ‘Sound of Music’ song on that bench! Did she sing the one where Liesl was in the summerhouse leaping from bench to bench? That is what I thought of when I saw POD!!
What some absolutely gorgeous photos, what an amazing looking place to explore! x
I have got lost on walks many a time – always makes for a good anecdote, even if at the time it is a real nuisance! I love the Devils Punchbowl, such a beautiful place – and I adore that green spotty hat! xx
Looks like a great day out. I love POD’s impish smile.
It looks like a beautiful place! Love Pod’s hat!
I haven’t been there for years, I really must return as it is such a beautiful place
What a fantastic name for a place and it looks rather spooky too!
What a briliant place full of history and intrigue!! Your photos are lovely – happy pops of colour on this winter’s day!