Charlwood and Cudworth

The path from the village provides a surprise if you look over to your left. Lowfield Heath Windmill is an attractive sight, painted in all white. The mill was originally built on this site in the 1760's and it is believed to be older, having being relocated from the Hookwood area of Charlwood.

The ancient Glover's Wood is deliciously cool and refreshing on a hot day, and contains some unusual species such as wych elm, small leaved lime and wild service tree.

The route follows country lanes and a sweeping drive to Home Farm, which was once a wing of 16th-century Newdigate Place. Parts of the timber-framed quadrangle are visible in the farm buildings.

The finest house in the scattered hamlet of Cudworth is Cudworth Manor. Part dates from the 13th century It is surrounded by a broad mort fed by a brook and crossed by an attractive roofed bridge.

The returned to Charlwood on quiet lanes. Views of the North Downs from Beggarshouse Lane include Box Hill, perhaps the best known beauty spot in Surrey.

Tucked away in Charlwood are several exquisite timber-framed and tile-hung cottages. Bristows, or School Cottage, was built about 1620 as a charity school for boys and remained one for 250 years, while Laurel Cottage is a small, open hall cottage, built to a medieval plan.

The houseleeks on the low roof to the right of Tudor Cottage were encouraged by country people, who believed they offered protection against witchcraft and fire.

Providence Chapel looks like something from the set of a wild west film. It came from Horsham, where troops guarding the coast against a possible Napoleonic invasion had used it as a guardroom.

The last part of the walk follows Black Ditch, an old causeway made of local paludina limestone, which is too hard to cut as freestone, but is a perfect material for paving.