Redhor two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

I walked this from Redhill to Horley on a raining Saturday afternoon.

After leaving the busy A23 at Redhill behind, the route first continued along some residential streets (photo #1). From there on it soon followed a cycle way all the way to Horley over easy going paths -- asphalt (photo #2), and gravel (photo #3), before going through "Whitebushes". After leaving the village it was back along easy and quiet paths, with bluebells (photo #4) in the forest besides it. At Salfords you cross a stream (photo #5), after which the route continues along the cycle way into Horley (photo #6, #7). Just before Horley the route becomes less nice, with a long stretch along Orchard Drive (photo #9). It was safe though, with a nice new even pavement. My only snag was in Horley itself, where the route directs you on a (non-public) footpath beyond some houses, that was very much overgrown (photo #8, #9), and only just about passable. It could be better to following Wheatfield Way all the way from Langshott to Langshott Lane instead.

We started this route from Redhill. The roads bustle but are well supplied with crossings so there's no need for stress. Fairly early on in the walk we were pleased to leave the A23 and follow the route of Cycleway 21 into quieter, residential streets. Just having passed Earlswood Railway Station the route enters a private road, at the other end of which is "Asylum Arch Road", pointing to a bit of local history. This then turns into a paved walkway with very welcome leafy shade! Having passed East Surrey Hospital, a footpath leads you across a green to a small housing estate which very handily has a shop. The footpath across the road then takes you on the most rural section of the walk accompanied by bluebells, green fields and views of the North Downs. On leaving Gail Lane, the route follows Orchard Drive into Horley. It's a 40mph road but it has a pavement. It was chosen because on the OS Map it has the appearance of a track. Cycleway 21 doesn't follow this road, and it's possible there might be a better alternative using it, but that's for someone else to find out (or me, but not now). On arrival in the outskirts of Horley the pavement appears and disappears either side of the road and the entry to the greenway to the centre is not obvious, but you have to trust the map! The footpath itself was slightly but not badly overgrown, and importantly not by brambles. The final section to the station was straightforward to follow and offered lots of tempting food options. This route works really well as a Slow Way. It's direct, safe, easy to follow and takes every opportunity to be offroad. It also links up well with local transport. I'd only ever shot through this part of the country on a train before, so it was nice to get to know it. From the map I thought it would be a highly functional semi urban affair. It actually delivers a really delightful and varied stroll.

My first ever Slow Way, walked with my brother, David Sanderson, and my husband, Andy. The route started from a great point to buy provisions and was easy to follow. It felt safe and I would walk it again.

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