Box Hill

Box Hill, one of the most prominent viewpoints and best known landmarks in the South of England has been made more accessible to people with limited mobility through the Inspiring Views project. The footpath from the visitor centre to the viewpoint was upgraded to allow wheelchairs and pushchairs to access Salomans' Memorial with its spectacular views over the weald towards the South Downs.

To interpret this practical work pupils from St Michael's School in Mickleham visited Box Hill to take in the views and work of the project. The pupils then interpreted what they had seen through watercolour paintings and beeswax sculptures with the help of International Sculptor Walter Bailey.

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  Box Hill before access work took place
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  Box Hill with new easy access path
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  View from Box Hill
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  Site visit to Box Hill with National Trust Warden Andy Bailey
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  International Sculptor Walter Bailey talking to children at Box Hill viewpoint
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  Walter Bailey at Box Hill with children from St Michaels School in Mickleham
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  Children looking at photos of the view taken during their visit
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  Children painting the view
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  Children painting the view
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  Walter helping children with their paintings
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  Concentrating on painting the view
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  Completed painting
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  The view from Box Hill
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  The view from Box Hill
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  The view from Box Hill
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  The view from Box Hill
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  Children making beeswax sculptures
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  A finished sculpture
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  A finished sculpture
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  A collection of sculptures
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  Presenting drawings to rest of school

Gatton Park

Neighbouring site Gatton Park is an eighteenth century Capability Brown parkland which is grade II listed by English Heritage. Views across the park were becoming less visible due to the encroachment of scrub. The project has cleared key viewpoints allowing walkers on the North Downs Way to appreciate the enhanced vistas and re-instated the historic landscape features of the site which include ‘tree clumps’ with traditional iron tree guards.

To interpret the practical work, pupils from the Royal Alexandra and Albert School in Gatton Park visited the National Trust site and worked with International sculptor Walter Bailey. Workshop sessions continued over 4 days where pupils interpreted what they had seen by using Chinese brushes and ink and then using beeswax to create sculptures based on animals.

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  View of Gatton Park before viewpoint clearance
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  View of Gatton Park after viewpoint clearance
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  View of Gatton Park
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  Re-instated traditional tree guard
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  View of Gatton Park before viewpoint clearance
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  View of Gatton Park after viewpoint clearance
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  Children from the Royal Alexandra & Albert School out on site visit to Gatton Park
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  Children drawing the view
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  Children learning about Gatton Park from National Trust Wardens Mark Richards & Marc Russell
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  Warden Marc Russell describing the view
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  Drawing the view
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  Concentrating on the view
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  Using ink and Chinese brushes to paint the view
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  Painting the view
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  Creating beeswax sculptures
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  Using warm water to make beeswax more pliable
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  Concentrating on sculpting
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  International Sculptor Walter Bailey helping children with their sculptures
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  Getting help from Walter

Leith Hill

The project also helped to enhance the visitor experience at Leith Hill, one of the key gateway sites to the Surrey Hills. Restoring the landscape setting and views from the Tower and the picnic site has enabled greater appreciation of the landscape including its history, archaeology, geology and cultural associations.

To interpret the practical work, pupils from Moon Hall School in Holmbury St Mary visited Leith Hill which also involved a visit to the tower. The pupils then took part in poetry workshops with professional poets Jackie Wills and Lorna Dowell. Music was also brought into the workshop by musician Graham Dowdall who recorded a variety of countryside noises for the children to listen to.

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  View from Leith Hill Tower before clearance
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  Leith Hill after viewpoint clearance
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  View from Leith Hill Tower before clearance
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  View from Leith Hill Tower after clearance
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  Children from Moon Hall School learning about the history of Leith Hill from National Trust Warden
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  Children walking up to Leith Hill Tower
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  Children taking in the view from the top of Leith Hill Tower
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  Back in the classroom using natural objects to inspire poetry
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  Getting inspired!
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  Local poet Lorna Dowell leading the poetry workshop
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  Poetry inspired by Leith Hill
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  Poetry inspired by Leith Hill
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  Poetry inspired by Leith Hill
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  Poetry inspired by Leith Hill
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  Poetry inspired by Leith Hill

Limpsfield Common

The project also increased public understanding and enjoyment of Limpsfield Common a beautiful and relatively unknown part of the Greensand ridge in the east of the AONB. Access enhancements were carried out along the Greensand Way, interpretation panels were installed in 5 main car parks and a significant viewpoint was restored.

To interpret this practical work pupils from Limpsfield C of E School were taken to Scearn Bank on Limpsfield Common to look at the site. The pupils then took part in poetry and pottery workshops with professional poets Jackie Wills and Lorna Dowell and potter Julian Belmonte.

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  The Greensand Way at Limpsfield Common before access improvements
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  The Greensand Way at Limpsfield Common after access improvements
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  View from Scearn Bank before clearance
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  View from Scearn Bank after clearance
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  National Trust Warden, Mark Richards talking to children from Limpsfield C of E school
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  Mark Richards educating children about Limpsfield Common
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  Archaeological Education Officer, Trudie Cole telling children about the local archaeology of the site
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  Trudie Cole educating children about the site
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  Starting work on poetry with the help of professional poet, Jackie Wills
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  Jackie capturing ideas and words from the children
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  Working hard on their poems
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  The completed poem ‘Sandstone Dreaming’ created by the children at Limpsfield C of E School
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  Pupil from Limpsfield School assembling his part of the poem
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  Head Teacher Mrs Moore, Pupil Molly Cook and National Trust Warden Mark Richards assembling the poem
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  A close up of the children's clay tiles

Reigate Hill

The Inglis Memorial at Colley Hill adjoining Reigate Hill is one of the most distinctive heritage features along the North Downs Way. Mature shrubs and trees had grown up to the south of the memorial, obscuring the fine views that would have been enjoyed when the monument was built. Views from the North Downs Way from the west were also being obscured by shrubs and trees.

Extensive viewpoint clearance took place, opening up some stunning views for the enjoyment of local visitors and long distance walkers. A path has also been laid around the Inglis Memorial to make it easily accessible for visitors and to protect the eroding foundations of the building.

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  The Inglis Memorial before restoration
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  The Inglis Memorial after restoration
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  View from The Inglis Memorial before clearance
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  View from the Inglis Memorial after clearance
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  View from Margery Gate before viewpoint clearance
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  View from Margery Gate after viewpoint clearance