If you’ve been cooped up inside for days on end, especially with a poorly child, you will have certainly experienced cabin fever. POD hasn’t been well recently and although she’s been back in reception a few days now, I was on eight consecutive days indoors. As well as doing an almost three hour journey to and from school thanks to the joy of roadworks!
So this morning after I’d dropped her off I headed to Box Hill – a summit of the North Downs in Surrey owned and managed by the National Trust. I don’t know about you but I find the best way to combat cabin fever is to grab my camera and head for the great outdoors. Being first thing meant there was barely a soul around. The fresh air could be felt in my lungs and the location provided the perfect opportunity to blow away a mountain of cobwebs.
There are several trails at Box Hill but the stepping stone walk takes you down to the River Mole and back up again. The Salomon’s Memorial makes for an excellent look out point at 172 metres. It’s a great place to take in the views of the Dorking area before embarking on a journey down 275 wooden steps through woods lined with beautiful yews. At the River Mole, you could see the stepping stones partially covered with water – during the warmer months you can walk across them. With the just sound of the water and a few birds for company, it’s an idyllic setting. Following the path along the river, you can take the bridge over to Burford Meadow which was blissfully quiet.
The grassy path I reached a short time afterwards was situated on the ridge of the hill. It was steeper than I anticipated and emphasised my need to get fit again but the views were quite magnificent. The end of the walk saw me reach the Box Hill Fort which you can admire from the outside. There will be more about Box Hill on the blog soon. In the meantime, be gone cabin fever. Be gone!
Joining Running in Lavender for #MyCapturedMoment and Clarina’s Contemplations for #SavouringTheSeason.
Stunningly beautiful shots. Definitely the way to shake off cabin fever. We were in the same boat as you last week as Boo had been poorly for days, and then the first day when we could go out, my boy asked for soft play – just not as fabulous as your outing! Hope POD’s better now x
I’ve never been to Box Hill but my mum raves about it as one of her favourite spots. We’ve just moved out of London back to my home area of Hertfordshire so we’re considering a National Trust membership so we can go exploring more easily on the weekends. Will definitely have to put Box Hill on the list!
So sorry to hear POD has been poorly – I hope she is much better now. This is definitely the best way to overcome cabin fever – it is what I do every Wednesday lunchtime when I am cooped up in a portacabin – thankfully surrounded by woodland! These are beautiful and I really do love Box Hill. That first photo is a stunner #MyCapturedMoment
Hi Charly, Box Hill looks like the perfect place to blow away the cobwebs, looking after a sick child can be stressful, but being cooped up at the same time is enough to drive even the sanest of us mad! The muted colours in your photos makes me feel wintery and I love the last photo. A wonky seeded flower head.
#MyCapturedMoment
xx
Gosh Charly… These photos are stunning…. Literally beautiful! We love Box Hill! It’s not so far from us and we’re big fans of the Smith and Western restaurant up there too! Ha! Thank you so much for jlining in with #savouringtheseason … It certainly seems that you’ve been doing exactly that!
Ah we were on Box Hill a couple of weeks ago, isn’t it such a beautiful spot – actually it’s one of our favourite family spots. These pictures are stunning and to be honest making me want to go back very soon!! I especially love the bridge shot. Thank you so much for joining #MyCapturedMoment xxx
Looks beautiful, I’ve driven past so many times but never stopped and we really must, I so want to walk across those stepping stones! Such gorgeous photographs 🙂