The UK's County Tops. Jonny Muir

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      National Trust sign on Black Down

      Did you Know?

      Famous native

      Tony Hawks, the author of Round Ireland with a Fridge, was born in Brighton in 1960. The story of the 1997 journey, which was inspired by a drunken bet, was made into a film – with Hawks playing himself – in 2010.

      Interesting fact

      Rising 162m above the English Channel, Beachy Head, close to the seaside resort of Eastbourne, boasts the tallest chalk cliffs in Britain. The area is part of the eastern section of the South Downs National Park, which was established in 2009.

      Route

      Walk S along a track to meet a gate and a National Trust information board shortly after. Some 500m from the start, a fork in the track will be reached, where the lower route – signposted the Serpent Trail – should be followed. Continue along this path, ignoring various offshoots and the temptation to strike across rough ground in search of the summit. The land to the E drops away steeply, with glimpses of rolling Sussex countryside sporadically appearing through the trees. Immediately after passing a pond, follow an uphill path that breaks off to the right. At the brow of the hill, turn to the N and follow a narrow but well-walked path that meanders through woodland to the summit trig pillar of Black Down, which stands on a grassy knoll. A mound a short distance to the NNE appears slightly higher than the trig.

      Trig pillar on Black Down summit

      Descent

      Return by the same route.

6 SURREY

      Leith Hill 294m TQ 1394 4319

Location	North Downs, 7km SSW of Dorking
Start	Windy Gap National Trust car park, Abinger Road, TQ 1382 4288
OS map	Landranger 187 (Dorking & Reigate), Explorer 146 (Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate)
Difficulty	2
Enjoyment	****
Distance	800m (0.5 miles)
Ascent	66m
Time	20–30mins

      Crowned by an 18th-century Gothic tower, Leith Hill – the second highest point in southeast England – is justifiably one of the UK’s most iconic county tops. Even without the tower – a fortified folly – the grassy summit is a lovely place, with the English Channel, St Paul’s Cathedral on Ludgate Hill in the City of London, the Wembley arch and Gatwick Airport all visible on a clear day. The hill, a mix of farm, heath and woodland, is managed by the National Trust, and dark red Sussex cattle – thought to descend from stock living in the Wealden forests at the time of William the Conqueror – can be seen grazing on its slopes. Some hills display greatness and splendour when glimpsed from their summits, others when viewed from below. Leith Hill is certainly the former.

      Route

      Follow a footpath up dozens of steps to ascend Leith Hill’s steep and forested S slopes. Soon after passing a bench, the edge of the wooded area will be reached, with magnificent views to the S being revealed, while the top of Leith Hill Tower will also appear ahead. Once on the summit plateau, proceed along an obvious track to the tower. The highest point is marked by a bench and a square stone block a few metres to the NE of the tower in open ground; it is said that on a clear day 13 counties are visible.

      Descent

      Return by the same route.

      Other routes

      The route described here is one of the shortest and Leith Hill can be climbed from any of the plentiful parking areas surrounding the peak. A popular route for those arriving by train is to walk from Holmwood station, passing through the picturesque village of Coldharbour en route.

      Looking towards Leith Hill Tower

      Did you Know?

      Famous native

      Delia Smith, celebrity chef and television presenter, was born in Woking in 1941. After leaving school at the age of 16 without an O-Level, she has gone on to become the UK’s best-selling author of cookery books.

      Interesting fact

      Denbies Wine Estate, situated on the northeastern outskirts of Dorking overlooking Box Hill, is the largest vineyard in the UK. The site – previously a pig farm – was planted between 1986 and 1991, and the average yearly wine yield is 300,000 litres.

      Leith Hill Tower

      The notion of building a tower on the summit of Leith Hill was the idea of Richard Hull, a squire who lived at nearby Leith Hill Place. The tower realised Hull’s aim: to raise the height of the hill above the magical 1000ft (305m) mark, and he would eventually be buried beneath the floor of his monument. Further additions in the 19th century increased the height of the building to its current reach of 317m. Visitors can climb steps in the tower to the battlements, while further information and refreshments are available within the building. See the National Trust website for opening times (www.nationaltrust.org.uk).

      Start of the descent to Windy Gap car park

7 KENT

      Betsom’s Hill 251m TQ 4355 5633

Location	North Downs, 9km WNW of Sevenoaks
Start	Small parking area on lane off A233 Biggin Hill–Westerham road, 100m SE of Westerham Heights Farm, TQ 4369 5638
OS map	Landranger 187 (Dorking & Reigate), Explorer 147 (Sevenoaks & Tonbridge)
Difficulty	0
Enjoyment	*
Distance	Negligible
Ascent	Negligible
Time	5mins

      The highest point in Kent – the so-called СКАЧАТЬ