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Since 2003 the Surrey Hills Partnership has been working with the National Trust and other landowners on a major landscape conservation project known as ‘Inspiring Views’.
The project focuses on access improvements, viewpoint clearance, the restoration of historic landscape features & interpretation along the North Downs Way National Trail and the Greensand Way.
In the first year of the project the work focused on five National Trust properties; Leith Hill, Box Hill, Reigate Hill, Gatton Park and Limpsfield Common.
As well as the practical work a series of creative workshops were arranged to raise awareness about the project. The workshops involved children from local schools who were taken out to the National Trust sites to learn about the importance and historical interest of each site. The workshop groups were then asked to interpret what they had seen through various forms of art, including music, pottery, sculpture, poetry and painting.
Now approaching its fourth year the project has cleared views and improved access and interpretation at sites extending right across the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Financial support for the project has come from a wide range of partners including; The Countryside Agency, The National Trust, Surrey County Council, Surrey County Arts, The North Downs Way National Trail, Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, Tandridge District Council, Mole Valley District Council, Limpsfield and Hambledon Parish Councils, Friends of Box Hill and Pfizer Ltd.
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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.
Box Hill before access work took place
Box Hill with new easy access path
View from Box Hill
Site visit to Box Hill with National Trust Warden Andy Bailey
International Sculptor Walter Bailey talking to children at Box Hill viewpoint
Walter Bailey at Box Hill with children from St Michaels School in Mickleham
Children looking at photos of the view taken during their visit
Children painting the view
Children painting the view
Walter helping children with their paintings
Concentrating on painting the view
Completed painting
The view from Box Hill
The view from Box Hill
The view from Box Hill
The view from Box Hill
Children making beeswax sculptures
A finished sculpture
A finished sculpture
A collection of sculptures
Presenting drawings to rest of school
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