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Activities
Updated: 10 Jun 2009
Walkers
 Walkers are always welcome on The Hurtwood. We have 14 official car parks, but please remember vehicles are parked at your own risk, and do not leave any valuables in you vehicle.
There are over 60 miles of paths and bridleways, some steep paths more suitable for fitter walkers whilst there are plenty of less hilly areas if you wish to go for a more gentle stroll.
Horse Riding
 Horse riders are also welcome on The Hurtwood. Please keep to the existing network of trails where possible, and avoid Mountain Bike trails. Horse boxes are welcome in the car parks, though the entrance to car park no.1 (Holmbury Hill) has a steep incline.
To see the locations of car parks, and how to access them, please go to our Location page. Vehicles are parked at your own risk, and do not leave any valuables in your vehicle.
If you wish to avoid hunting days, please check our event calendar here.
Biker's
Code of Conduct
As more and more riders discover the Hurtwood is a great place to ride, the Hurtwood Control Trust has developed a Code of Conduct. Below is a short list of advice that ensures you, and the others around you, have a great time taking in the 'air & exercise':
 Only cycle at speeds safe for the trail ahead. You don’t know what is around the next corner. Please be aware that dogs are allowed to exercise freely, without leads, on The Hurtwood.- Make sure your presence is known, by calling out a greeting if approaching walkers from the rear.
- Always give way to horse riders and walkers.
- Do not cycle in groups of more than 6.
- Be respectful and courteous to other users.
- Choose your route carefully, especially when the ground is wet, to minimise erosion.
- Avoid harsh braking and skidding, thus reducing trail damage.
- Riders must not create new trails, please use the existing network.
- Make sure your bike is safe to ride and be prepared for emergencies.
- Wear a helmet and use protective clothing.
- In an emergency call 999
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Trail Closures
Updated: 10 Jun 2009
 As most Mountain Bikers are aware, Hurtwood Control Trust and the land owners Shere Manor Estate are highly supportive of mountain biking on The Hurtwood.
We have recently spent a considerable amount of time and money formulating an MTB strategy to enable mountain biking to continue safely on The Hurtwood. One of the key issues was that we would not allow any further building of unsanctioned trails.
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Our Code of Conduct
Updated: 10 Jun 2009
The Hurtwood is private land, but is open to the public for ‘air and exercise’. Access is managed by The Hurtwood Control Trust , a local charity working with the land owners. Here is a short list and information of what not to do on the Hurtwood. Most of it is common sense and we ask visitors to respect each others right to be there - and their surroundings.Take Care
- Take litter home
- No fires / barbecues
- No motor cycles /vehicles
- No unauthorised digging or Trail building
- No shooting
- No felling or removal of wood
- No camping or caravans
- Please show consideration for the rights and safety of other users of the Hurtwood
Horse Riders and Mountain Bikers Be Aware!
The unexpected happens, so: Ride at a speed which you are in total control. Round the next corner may be young children, dogs off-lead or deer and other wildlife, those with impaired hearing and sight or other horse riders and bikers.
Visitors to The Hurtwood do so at their own risk
Beware of thefts. Cars and their contents are left at owner’s risk.
But above all, respect others & the surroundings so the Hurtwood can continue to be a place for everyone to enjoy. |
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Useful Sites
Updated: 06 Jun 2009
www.doglost.co.uk A national database for lost dogs. You can register your own dog as missing for free, or if you've found a furry family member, you can report it here too.
Locations of the lost/found canines are based on postcode.
www.bhs.org.uk The British Horse Society works tirelessly for every horse and rider throughout the regions of the UK.
Focusing on horse welfare, horse and rider safety, access and rights of way, training (register of instructors) and approving livery yards and riding schools.
www.ramblers.org.uk The Ramblers is Britain's biggest charity working to promote walking and to improve conditions for all walkers.
With 139,000 members in England, Scotland and Wales, we've been working for walkers for 70 years.
www.ctc.org.uk We are the country’s largest group of people on bikes. Our mission is to make cycling enjoyable, safe and welcoming for all. Our work, which includes high-profile campaigning on behalf of all cyclists, is made possible by your help and support.
So why not join 60,000 people united by a passion for cycling and become part of the UK's largest and oldest cycling organisation, and support the work of the CTC Charitable Trust?
www.surreyhills.org An organisation whose site has more information on this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB).
This site has suggestions for discovering walking routes, the local attractions and up and coming events in Surrey.
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Location
Updated: 06 Jun 2009
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Hurtwood Gallery
Updated: 06 Jun 2009
A selection of pictures taken on the Hurtwood. Click on the thumbnail pictures below for a closer look....
{gallery}gallery/pics{/gallery}
Thanks to Mark Beaumont (Ranger) and Mark Edwards for the photos. |
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Mountain Bike Strategy
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Iron Age Hill Fort
Updated: 05 Sep 2009
Function
 Very little is known about the way of life of the people in this part of Surrey before the Romans arrived. They used iron, grew corn, had coinage, made pots and in north-west Surrey at least, lived in round houses.
One recent suggestion sees a population which farms further north taking their grazing animals - pigs, perhaps cattle and sheep - into summer pastures in the then heathy Hurtwood and wooded Weald.
The fort could have been used by those looking after the beasts, as well as a refuge if required. Another view sees the prominent hill-top as having a religous purpose of some kind.
The Site
On the summit of the hill a double rampart encloses an uneven area. The banks and ditches are well defined where the approaches are gradual.
The main entrance was in the north-west of the enclosure, with a secondary entrance on the east - which may be mediaeval. The fort, formerly known as 'the camp' appears to be all of one construction.
Finds
A tumble of stones found in the deep inner ditch indicated a stone facing to the rampart. Pottery and bones of sheep, ox and wild boar and evidence of fires were found about 18 inches down, close inside the sheltering northern bank.
The shattered pieces of at least twenty querns (left), used for grinding corn, lay in the ditch here and elsewhere.
Baked clay sling-bullets were used for hunting. The sling-stones would hit attackers who had reached the bank between the two ditches; the so-called 'killing field'.
The 2005 Project A grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund has made it possible for visitors to appreciate the design of this hill fort. In addition, with support from the Surrey Hills Partnership, this area is being made a subject for studies for local schools.
Material has been prepared for use in classrooms and during visits. Friends of the Hurtwood can download the unedited version of this page from here.
The fort itself belongs today to the Lee-Steere family of Ockley. Adjoing heathland in the Shere and Gomshall Manors of the Bray family and comprising the Hurtwood, was dedicated for public "air and excercise" by R.A. Bray in 1926. The hill fort is an ancient Scheduled Monument.
Excavations
This hill fort has been excavated twice. Once in 1930 and in 1974 trenches were cut across the ramparts to the south of the ancient entrance, and in places where magnetic anomalies where found.
On the right is a Plan of Holmbury Hill Fort reproduced by kind permission of the Society of Antiquaries of London.
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Let Us Know What You Think...
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About the Hurtwood
Updated: 12 Oct 2009
 The Hurtwood was one of the first privately owned areas of the country to create a "right to roam" - in 1926, more than 70 years before the rest of England caught up!
The public have been given the right to walk - and the right to ride, on horseback or mountain bike - over most of it's 3000 acres (1200 hectares) in the heart of the Surrey Hills. Motorised vehicles/cycles and caravans are not permitted, nor is overnight camping, lighting of fires or barbeques.
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