Cycling In Southern England
Jamie McLellan | January 4th, 2008
A great way take a quick breather from London is to go mountain biking in Surrey.
All year round the riding is great. The trails weave their way through small English villages, rolling hills, WW2 gun emplacements, picturesque woodlands, Harry Potter like school grounds, farmland and secluded cricket pitches.
Holmbury Hill is the highest peak in Southern England, complete with small castle turned viewing tower and kiosk on the top. Here hikers and cyclists gather to refuel with cups of tea and shortbread.
Peaslake Village is a great halfway point to a days riding where a small shop sells hot and cold lunches. There are also several pubs dotted along the way, many with outdoor beer gardens that are great in summer.
Nirvana Cycles in Westcott organises guided rides, and rents bicycles also. Alternatively you can purchase a map from Nirvana and navigate your own way through the surrounding area.
From central London it’s about an hour’s drive to Westcott or you can take a train from Waterloo station, making a quick change at Epsom before getting off at Dorking (from Dorking it’s a short ride Westcott).
