Denbies Wine Estate near Dorking has recently opened a new path through the vineyard. Today I used it to make a short cycle circuit, as shown on the map in green. I have also shown Route 22 of the National Cycle Network (NCN22) (in red), and show (in orange) how a route through the Vineyard, combined with a very pleasant route through the National Trust's Landbarn Farm estate, could provide a quiet off-road alternative for cyclists wishing to avoid the rather busy centre of Dorking.
I started from the National Trust car park at Denbies Hillside on Ranmore Common. From here I cycled down the Ranmore Road and nipped off on the right hand side where the road goes over the old estate carriage road, which is a good gravel track. Care is needed to descend the short but steep bank to reach the carriage road.
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| The track goes back under the road using a tunnel.... |
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| ...and descends .... |
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| ...turn left up bridleway (short, quite steep section)... |
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..to new back gate to vineyard
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| Take the track.... |
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| ...which soon emerges at the vineyard proper.... |
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Box Hill in distance
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Descends to winery and visitor centre
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| Cows |
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A takeaway hatch was operating (this was first day of lock-down 2)
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Good bridleway ascends from Visitor Centre...
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| ... views over vineyard to Box Hill |
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| Upper estate road.... |
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| ..contours above vineyard... |
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| View across Mole Valley |
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| View back over Mole Valley |
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| Return to start, passing the impressive St Barnabas Church, Ranmore, built by the Cubitts, the original owners of the Denbies estate |
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Good views from Denbies Hillside
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NCN22 alt: Landbarn Farm track (in summer)
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The old carriage road rising from Landbarn Farm (in summer)
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