River Mole – Toddle Doddle https://toddledoddle.com Find Your Next Adventure Sat, 10 Feb 2024 19:31:27 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 102446132 Scramble Along the Natural Play Trail at Box Hill, Dorking https://toddledoddle.com/box-hill-play-trail-dorking-surrey/ https://toddledoddle.com/box-hill-play-trail-dorking-surrey/#respond Sat, 07 Aug 2021 15:56:15 +0000 https://toddledoddle.com/box-hill-play-trail-dorking-surrey-copy/ Box Hill Natural Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Natural Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Natural Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Natural Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Natural Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Natural Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Natural Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Fort, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey The Box Hill Stepping Stones, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey

Scattered throughout the woods on top of Box Hill are natural play areas with balance courses, ropes, logs, tree climbing, dens and a fort. This is called the Box Hill Natural Play Trail and it’s a fantastic way to liven up a walk in the woods. My kids love it.

 

The Natural Play Trail

Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, SurreyThe Natural Play Trail include things like:

  • a tree to climb through
  • a see saw made of planks and logs
  • a fort with tunnels
  • log balance beams
  • ropes to climb on
  • Box Hill Natural Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surreylogs to edge along
  • areas to build dens
  • areas to climb trees

 

List Play Equipment

 

Box Hill

Box Hill, Dorking, SurreyAs well as the Natural Play Trail, Box Hill also has picturesque views, mini-beasts, a cafe, Visitor Centre and Discovery Zone. 

 

 

 

Box Hill Fort

Box Hill Fort, Box Hill, Dorking, SurreyThe Box Hill Fort was one of a series of forts built in the 1890s to enable London to defend itself from invasion. It was used again during WW2. 

 

 

 

The Stepping Stones

The Box Hill Stepping Stones, Box Hill, Dorking, SurreyThe River Mole flows along the foot of Box Hill and can be crossed by jumping between the famous Stepping Stones. 

 

 

 

The Box Hill Stepping Stones, Box Hill, Dorking, SurreyTo find the Stepping Stones you can either walk down the hill or drive to the Stepping Stones car park (see below).  

 

 

 

The Box Hill Stepping Stones, Box Hill, Dorking, SurreyFrom April to June the air is heavy with the unmistakable scent of wild garlic.

 

Read More

 

Visit the Box Hill website

 

Further Information

Nearest Town: Dorking
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcodes: Box Hill: KT20 7LB – note that his does not seem to work for all sat navs so follow signs once you start to see them. The Stepping Stones: RH5 6AE – keep an eye out for the car park as it is easy to miss. 

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Eat at the cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice cream, shop, toilets, accessible toilets, picnic areas. 

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: The paths around the car parks are surfaced and buggy-friendly. The paths along the play trail are muddy and uneven in places but I used an all terrain buggy without any issues. 

Parking: There are different car parks to choose from –  a couple on top of Box Hill (KT20 7LB – can be unreliable so follow signs as soon as you see them) and another by the Stepping Stones (RH5 6AE). They all become very busy and are often full by mid-morning. 
Cost of Parking: Free for National Trust members; from £1.50 per hour for non-members.

Wildlife You Might See: Birds, butterflies and other insects.

First Visit: June 2018
Last Visit: June 2021

Visitor Information

 

Ratings

Our visit to Box Hill and the Box Hill Natural Play Trail in Dorking is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

 

  • Fun
  • Condition
  • Value
  • Would We Go Back
5.0
Sending
User Rating 0 (0 votes)
Comments Rating 0 (0 reviews)

 

Before taking part in any activities or visiting any places listed, you should make appropriate checks to ensure high quality provision, a safe environment is provided and to check all these details are up to date before you visit and/or take part. We accept no liability (to the fullest extent permitted by law) for the quality of the activities provided or places listed or for the accuracy of any information given.

 

 

]]> https://toddledoddle.com/box-hill-play-trail-dorking-surrey/feed/ 0 70311 Cross the River Mole Using the Box Hill Stepping Stones https://toddledoddle.com/box-hill-stepping-stones-dorking-surrey/ https://toddledoddle.com/box-hill-stepping-stones-dorking-surrey/#respond Sat, 07 Aug 2021 14:51:59 +0000 https://toddledoddle.com/box-hill-play-trail-dorking-surrey-copy/ The Box Hill Stepping Stones, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey The Box Hill Stepping Stones, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey The Box Hill Stepping Stones, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey The Box Hill Stepping Stones, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Fort, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Fort, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Natural Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Natural Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey

There is something magical about finding your own way across a river, and jumping across the River Mole on the famous Box Hill Stepping Stones is no exception. 

Once you have finished bouncing across the river, you can either continue along the path to the top of Box Hill or stay down by the river for a paddle and a pond dip. Decisions, decisions!

 

The Stepping Stones

The Box Hill Stepping Stones, Box Hill, Dorking, SurreyEach stepping stone is big enough to make me feel confident about crossing and, as there are 17 stones, it also feels like an achievement, especially if the stones are already wet!

 

 

The Box Hill Stepping Stones, Box Hill, Dorking, SurreyBear in mind that you may not be crossing alone – some children cross confidently and others refuse and are either carried over or kept back. 

 

 

 

On Top of Box Hill

The Stepping Stones are at the foot of Box Hill. At the top there is lots more to do, including the Natural Play Trail, a fort, a cafe and fabulous views. 

 

The Natural Play Trail

Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, SurreyScattered throughout the woods on top of Box Hill are natural play areas that form the Box Hill Natural Play Trail. It has balance courses and a seesaw

 

 

 

Box Hill Natural Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surreyropes and a tunnel.

 

 

 

 

Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, SurreyIt’s a fantastic way to liven up a walk in the woods. 

 

 

 

 

Box Hill

Box Hill, Dorking, SurreyAt the top of Box Hill there are several viewing points, a cafe, Visitor Centre and Discovery Zone but this was shut when I visited. 

 

Read More

 

Visit the Box Hill website

 

Further Information

Nearest Town: Dorking
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcodes: Box Hill: KT20 7LB – note that his does not seem to work for all sat navs so follow signs once you start to see them. The Stepping Stones: RH5 6AE – keep an eye out for the car park as it is easy to miss. 

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic, try one of the nearby pubs or go to the top of Box Hill and try the cafe.
Facilities: None at the Stepping Stones. On top of Box Hill there are facilities – cafe, snacks, ice cream, shop, toilets, accessible toilets, picnic areas. 

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: The paths around the stepping stones are muddy but fairly flat and I used a buggy without any problems but did not take it over the river. Clearly, jumping between stepping stones with a buggy would be tricky! 

Parking: Car park by the Stepping Stones (RH5 6AE – keep an eye out for signs as this is easy to miss). All Box Hill car parks become very busy and are often full by mid-morning. 
Cost of Parking: Free for National Trust members; from £1.50 per hour for non-members.

Wildlife You Might See: Birds, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: June 2018
Information Checked: June 2021

Visitor Information

 

Ratings

Our visit to the Box Hill Stepping Stones in Dorking is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

 

  • Fun
  • Condition
  • Value
  • Would We Go Back
4.0
Sending
User Rating 0 (0 votes)
Comments Rating 0 (0 reviews)

 

Before taking part in any activities or visiting any places listed, you should make appropriate checks to ensure high quality provision, a safe environment is provided and to check all these details are up to date before you visit and/or take part. We accept no liability (to the fullest extent permitted by law) for the quality of the activities provided or places listed or for the accuracy of any information given.

 

 

]]> https://toddledoddle.com/box-hill-stepping-stones-dorking-surrey/feed/ 0 70291 Adventure Up, Down and Around Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Hills https://toddledoddle.com/box-hill-dorking-surrey/ https://toddledoddle.com/box-hill-dorking-surrey/#respond Sat, 07 Aug 2021 12:22:35 +0000 https://toddledoddle.com/itchen-valley-country-park-southampton-copy/ Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Fort, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Fort, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Natural Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Natural Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Natural Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Natural Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Natural Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Natural Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Natural Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey The Box Hill Stepping Stones, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey The Box Hill Stepping Stones, Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey

With picturesque views to admire, mini-beasts to discover, stepping stones to navigate and a natural play trail to tackle, Box Hill is a perfect spot for an adventure and we love it!

 

At the Top of Box Hill

The Natural Play Trail

Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, SurreyScattered throughout the woods on top of Box Hill are natural play areas that form the Box Hill Natural Play Trail. It has balance courses

 

 

 

Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surreya seesaw

 

 

 

 

Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surreyropes and

 

 

 

 

Box Hill Natural Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, Surreya tunnel.

 

 

 

 

Box Hill Play Trail, Box Hill, Dorking, SurreyIt’s a fantastic way to liven up a walk in the woods. 

 

 

 

 

Box Hill

Box Hill, Dorking, SurreyAt the top of Box Hill there are several viewing points, a cafe, Visitor Centre and Discovery Zone but this was shut when I visited. 

 

 

 

Box Hill Fort

Box Hill Fort, Box Hill, Dorking, SurreyBox Hill Fort was part of a series of forts built in the 1890s to enable London to defend itself from invasion. It was used again during WW2. 

 

 

 

At the Bottom of Box Hill

The Stepping Stones

The Box Hill Stepping Stones, Box Hill, Dorking, SurreyThe River Mole flows along the foot of Box Hill and can be crossed by jumping between the famous Box Hill Stepping Stones. 

 

 

 

The Box Hill Stepping Stones, Box Hill, Dorking, SurreyFrom here you can either continue on up Box Hill or stop and have a paddle or pond dip in the river. 

 

 

 

The Box Hill Stepping Stones, Box Hill, Dorking, SurreyFrom April to June the air is heavy with the unmistakable scent of wild garlic.

 

Read More

 

Visit the Box Hill website

 

Further Information

Nearest Town: Dorking
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcodes: Box Hill: KT20 7LB – note that his does not seem to work for all sat navs so follow signs once you start to see them. The Stepping Stones: RH5 6AE – keep an eye out for the car park as it is easy to miss. 

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Eat at the cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice cream, shop, toilets, accessible toilets, picnic areas. 

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: The paths around the car parks are surfaced and buggy-friendly. The paths along the play trail are muddy and uneven in places but I used an all terrain buggy without any issues. 

Parking: There are different car parks to choose from –  a couple on top of Box Hill (KT20 7LB – can be unreliable so follow signs as soon as you see them) and another by the Stepping Stones (RH5 6AE). They all become very busy and are often full by mid-morning. 
Cost of Parking: Free for National Trust members; from £1.50 per hour for non-members.

Wildlife You Might See: Birds, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: June 2018
Information Checked: June 2021

Visitor Information

 

Ratings

Our visit to Box Hill and the Box Hill Natural Play Trail in Dorking is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

 

  • Fun
  • Condition
  • Value
  • Would We Go Back
5.0
Sending
User Rating 0 (0 votes)
Comments Rating 0 (0 reviews)

 

Before taking part in any activities or visiting any places listed, you should make appropriate checks to ensure high quality provision, a safe environment is provided and to check all these details are up to date before you visit and/or take part. We accept no liability (to the fullest extent permitted by law) for the quality of the activities provided or places listed or for the accuracy of any information given.

 

 

]]> https://toddledoddle.com/box-hill-dorking-surrey/feed/ 0 70244 Find the Source of the Mole in Baldhorns Copse, Crawley https://toddledoddle.com/baldhorns-copse-to-the-source-of-the-mole/ https://toddledoddle.com/baldhorns-copse-to-the-source-of-the-mole/#respond Thu, 01 Jun 2017 22:16:41 +0000 http://toddledoddle.com/?p=45158 Baldhorns Copse, Rusper - The Source of the River Mole Baldhorns Copse, Rusper - The Source of the River Mole Baldhorns Copse, Rusper - The Source of the River Mole Baldhorns Copse, Rusper - The Source of the River Mole Baldhorns Copse, Rusper - The Source of the River Mole Baldhorns Copse, Rusper - The Source of the River Mole Baldhorns Copse, Rusper - The Source of the River Mole Baldhorns Copse, Rusper - The Source of the River Mole Baldhorns Copse, Rusper - The Source of the River Mole Baldhorns Copse, Rusper - The Source of the River Mole

Baldhorns Copse, Rusper - The Source of the River MoleWe had no idea what to expect as we cautiously peered through a hole in the trees and down a dark footpath.

We had accepted a challenge to find the source of the River Mole but we hadn’t been able to find anything about it on-line, except that the river rose in Baldhorns Copse in the village of Rusper.

 

The Paths through the Copse

Baldhorns Copse, Rusper - The Source of the River MoleThe footpath was a little muddy at first but quickly dried out and widened into more of a tree-lined avenue.

 

 

 

 

Baldhorns Copse, Rusper - The Source of the River MoleWhen we reached a fork in the footpath we went through the trees…

 

 

 

 

Baldhorns Copse, Rusper - The Source of the River Mole…and came straight out into a meadow full of butterflies 

 

 

 

 

Baldhorns Copse, Rusper - The Source of the River Moleand an intricate flower we later identified as an orchid!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Onwards to the Source!

Baldhorns Copse, Rusper - The Source of the River MoleWe explored the meadow and then followed a narrow, bramble-lined path back into the woods.

 

 

 

 

 

The River Mole

Baldhorns Copse, Rusper - The Source of the River MoleAnd it was there that we first saw the Mole, although it was more of a stagnant puddle than a flowing river.

 

 

 

 

A Troll’s Swamp?

Baldhorns Copse, Rusper - The Source of the River Mole“This is definitely a troll’s swamp,” someone said as we walked through the trees.

I was inclined to agree but wasn’t sure why we both sensed that – maybe the boggy mud or maybe the putrid stench.

 

 

The Source of the Mole

We followed the fledgling river upstream.

It narrowed quickly, became a tiny trickle and then disappeared into a hole – the source of the River Mole!

The children were thrilled.

 

 

 

A Second Source…

Baldhorns Copse, Rusper - The Source of the River MoleNext to the source of the Mole was the source of the stench – a stinkhorn, something we’d never seen before.

Two sources for the price of one – a lucky but smelly find!

 

 

Baldhorns Copse

Baldhorns Copse, Rusper - The Source of the River MoleBaldhorns Copse itself is small but fun. We made a den, went bug hunting and played hide and seek.

 

 

 

 

How to Find It

Baldhorns Copse, Rusper - The Source of the River MoleThe footpath starts on Horsham Road near to the junction with Steeres Hill (RH12 4PT).

From the top of Steeres Hill, turn left onto Horsham Road and the footpath is a very short walk away, on the opposite side of the road.

Further down the footpath you come to a fork. Straight on leads to the meadow but via a narrow path. Turning right leads to the source of the Mole and is also an easier way into the meadow.

Read More

 

Visit the Baldhorns Copse website

 

Further Information

Nearest Town: Rusper
County: West Sussex
Nearest Postcode: RH12 4PT

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket. 
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: About three hours.
Buggies: I used an all-terrain buggy without any problems.

Parking: There is no car park but we parked on a nearby residential road called Steeres Hill (RH12 4PT). 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Insects and birds.

Information Written: May 2017

Visitor Information

 

Ratings

Our visit to the source of the River Mole in Baldhorns Copse in Rusper is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

 

  • Fun
  • Condition
  • Value
  • Would We Go Back
3.0
Sending
User Rating 0 (0 votes)
Comments Rating 0 (0 reviews)

 

Before taking part in any activities or visiting any places listed, you should make appropriate checks to ensure high quality provision, a safe environment is provided and to check all these details are up to date before you visit and/or take part. We accept no liability (to the fullest extent permitted by law) for the quality of the activities provided or places listed or for the accuracy of any information given.

 

 

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