It was the hottest day of the year today and we decided to go to Box Hill for a long walk. The walk is officially 8 miles but you can choose to extend it. The one extension we usually do involves a detour to the tea-hut for refreshments which adds an hour or so to the walk, probably a mile or so extra.


The decision was made before we knew the weather forecast but as a friend and her dog was coming along we decided to stick to the plan.

A reasonably early start meant we made it there by 10.45 am (it's about an hour and 15 min drive from here) and we then started on the Long Walk. We did this walk last year and I can't remember the hills being quite so steep!With plenty of refreshments (cold drinks for us and the dogs) we started off. The first part of the walk from the car park we use is up a very steep set of steps ( must be over 100). With 4 more steep hills to climb the walk takes it out of you at times but some of the views are stunning.

We had 2 stops on our 4 hour plus walk ( not counting the stops up the steep hills). The first was at the tea-hut where we had a 15 min rest and then the second was at the visitor centre about 1 miles from the end of the trip. We planned the route so it downhill all the way back to the car from the visitor centre.

For a place that big it's crazy that you don't see that much wild life - one rabbit was all we saw but we had a great time. We must head back there again soon but will try to choose a cooler day.