Hindhead: Heathland, Nature and the Devil’s Punch Bowl

Hindhead is a destination for anyone looking to combine open heathland, distinctive viewpoints and special nature experiences. Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl are at the heart of the area, complemented by signposted trails, historical insights and easy opportunities for a break. This makes it possible to plan a varied stay: with short circular routes, longer walks, nature observation and an audio-guided walk.

Heathland, woodland and an exceptional landscape

Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl are part of the Wealden Heaths National Nature Reserve. Both are also designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and form a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The landscape of Hindhead Commons includes open heathland and ancient woodland. If you keep a careful eye out, you may spot Exmoor ponies and grazing cattle.

The Devil’s Punch Bowl itself is a natural amphitheatre. It is considered the largest landscape feature formed by spring water in Great Britain. The open spaces and views are particularly characteristic, and form part of the experience on various route options. The Devil’s Punch Bowl loop runs around the Devil’s Punch Bowl and offers spectacular views across the heathland.

Trails for different day plans

For a shorter stay, an easily accessible 300-metre circular route is ideal. It leads from the car park to a sandstone viewpoint and can be incorporated into the day’s plans as a compact impression of the landscape. Behind the café there is also a natural play trail, mainly offering climbing and balancing opportunities. This provides another stop when different interests need to be combined during an outing.

Those allowing more time for the landscape can choose the Hidden Hindhead walking trail. The route is well signposted and not particularly challenging. It leads over Gibbet Hill and to the Temple of the Four Winds; both offer excellent views. Alongside it runs the car-free route of the old A3 from the Devil’s Punch Bowl to Hindhead Commons, serving as a wildlife corridor.

The Greensand Way also opens up a broader perspective. The marked long-distance trail runs through Hindhead Commons, stretches for 108 miles through Surrey and Kent, and begins in nearby Haslemere. This allows you to distinguish between a short landscape walk and a longer walking idea when planning your trip, without confusing the two experiences.

History, audio and a break at the café

At the Devil’s Punch Bowl, HistoryScapes offers an audio-guided walk with George Mayes as a historical companion. This ties in with the history of broom-making: it was a rural craft closely associated with the Devil’s Punch Bowl and is now in decline. Those wishing to combine nature and local history gain an additional perspective on the landscape.

The Devil’s Punch Bowl Café serves hot and cold drinks, soup, sandwiches, panini, cakes, flapjacks and pastries. When planning your day, you can therefore weigh up nature trails, historical impressions and a food break without limiting your stay to a single activity.

The right base for your stay

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Hindhead, your preferred plans for each day can help with your choice when planning your trip. For an outing with short walks through the landscape, the 300-metre circular route, the natural play trail and the Devil’s Punch Bowl loop are ideal. Those who prefer longer walks can give greater consideration to the Hidden Hindhead walking trail and the Greensand Way.

Hindhead thus combines landscape conservation, heathland, woodland, wildlife observation and local history. Choose your accommodation according to the pace of travel you want, then plan the trails and experiences that best suit your stay.

For more travel ideas, you can also visit Frensham, Horley, Smallfield, Staines, Newchapel, Worplesdon, Thames Ditton and Shepperton.

To the higher-level travel overview: Surrey.