Attractions/Leisure - Outdoor Activities

Leatherhead sits right in the middle of some wonderful countryside, open and accessible for your enjoyment. Hit the link to Walking in Surrey to see the options for self-guided walks leaflets. Other options include cycling, playing golf, horse riding with any of several local riding stables, visiting National Trust properties such as Polesden Lacey or Surrey Wildlife Trust's open reserves such as Norbury Park. For younger people aged between 8 and 16 years of age who want to experience the outdoors there are courses available at the High Ashurst Centre such as climbing and abseiling, trail biking, rope courses, forest school and adventure walking to name but a few of the activities. Juniper Hall Field Studies Centre also offers courses for the whole family in a wide range of topics about the countryside, its wildlife and the environment.

Please find some other possibilities below:

Conservation volunteering - Get out into the countryside and help make a difference. Conservation volunteering is a great way to really get to know a variety of sites, including some which are not otherwise open to the public. Learn new skills, meet new people and find out what makes the countryside tick. Site of Specific Scientific Interest, woodland, downland, grassland, wetland, ponds and rights of way work is available with any of several local groups. Attend for a whole day or a part, under the guidance of a trained leader and in the company of other like-minded and friendly souls. One day you may be helping conserve habitat for rare orchids, the next you might be building a stile or surfacing a bridleway. Learn to lay hedges, make charcoal, restore hazel coppice; all are available in season with the right people.

Lower Mole Countryside Management Project

The Project runs volunteer tasks year-round, with very varied work on a huge variety of sites. All necessary training (and tea and biscuits) supplied. Tasks led by trained leaders and attended by a large group of friendly and knowledgeable local people.

For further information click on the link www.countryside-management.org.uk
email mole.project@surreycc.gov.uk
or call 01372 743 783.

Mole Valley Conservation Volunteers

This local group is run for volunteers by volunteers. Concentrating mainly on nature conservation/biodiversity work, they can be contacted via the National Trust. You can email them on se.volunteering@nationaltrust.org.uk
For further information click on the link www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-trust.htm

Walking for Health in Leatherhead

GO50 project have set up a walking for health scheme in Leatherhead that runs every Thursday. Walks start at 10:30am from outside the front of the Leatherhead Leisure Centre. The Walking for Health Scheme is part of the Age Concern GO50 Project which helps to introduce people across the county to healthy lifestyles. The Walking for Health Scheme aims to encourage people of all ages to walk, and all walks are led by trained volunteers.
Contact Keri Stanton for further information on 01483 534706 or
www.acsurrey.org.uk/go50/go50.htm