How to walk from Merstham to Oxted: NDW stage 4

Two years later, I finally came back to do the walk from Merstham to Oxted. I had been avoiding it, as the last time I was on the North Downs Way, I injured myself and couldn’t hike for 3 months. It felt cursed. That and the fact that I knew the route today would be the worst part of the trail, as it hugs the M25 for most of the way…

What to expect when walking from Merstham to Oxted

I was actually pleasantly surprised with this one. It’s not the most beautiful walk I have been on, and certainly not the most peaceful, but I still enjoyed it. Could it be that my expectations were so low that it could only be good?

There are some wonderful far reaching views, a little bit of woodland, some gentle hills, a view to the London skyline, and horses.

Looking across the the undulating fields of green with woodland forest ahead, on the wall from Merstham to Oxted. The sun is shining down creating a golden glow.

A ground covered in red fallen leaves in the woodland, when walking between Merstham and Oxted.

A narrow dirt trail lined with bushes, and leading towards a bush tunnel, near the end of the walk from Merstham to Oxted.

At 9 miles, the walk between Merstham and Oxted isn’t too long*, and it’s so quick to get to from London that it doesn’t take up the whole day. So you can have a nice little countryside excursion, with enough time to get back and fill your day with other things (if you live in London or the south east that is).

*I must also note that I had recently come off a 3 day hike consisting of 11.5 miles, 16 miles, and 21 miles, whilst carrying a heavy backpack. So this felt easy in comparison.

It’s also extremely easy to follow, as it’s well signposted 99% of the way (a few missing signs, but I was able to figure it out without needing to refer to a map).

A wooden trail signpost pointing left for the North Downs Way towards Oxted. The sign is in front of some trees.

Logistics

Start: Merstham train station, Surrey. RH1 3ED.
Finish: Oxted train station, Surrey. RH8 9EU.
Distance: 9 miles (8 miles along the NDW, and 1 mile off trail to reach Oxted Train Station)
Time: 3h
Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Dirt trail, mud, country road, grass
Elevation gain: 572m
Dog friendly: No stiles, no loose livestock seen. Some road crossings.
Amenities: Both Merstham and Oxted Station have public toilets. There are no amenities on the walk between the two, however you will find pubs near each station if you would like to finish in one. There is a Waitrose on the other side of Oxted Station.

How to get there (public transport)

There are direct trains from London Victoria, Clapham Junction, St Pancras, Blackfriars, and London Bridge, to Merstham station and Oxted station. Journey time ranges from 30 min-50min depending on which station you choose in London. The routes are on Southern Railway or Thameslink.

Oxted and Merstham are on different train lines, so you will need to buy a single ticket for each journey.

Coming by car?

The walk between Merstham and Oxted is located in the Surrey Hills, south of London, right next to the M25. Both stations have a car park and cost about £7 for the day (or £2.25 on Sunday). There isn’t a direct train link between the two stations. You would have to do a change at East or South Croydon. Journey time 40-50min.

Map for the walk from Merstham to Oxted

You can find my more detailed route map for the walk from Merstham to Oxted on AllTrails. You can also download a GPX file from there.

Tips

If you aren’t keen on the road noise, then maybe take some headphones and listen to a podcast or music….or bird sounds.
If it’s been raining recently, it can be a little muddy in parts. I didn’t find it too bad through (we had just come out of very heavy rain).

I recommend hiking boots, due to the terrain. Or better, hiking shoes/trail running type shoes if you have them. There is a bit of road walking, which can be tough in hiking boots.

A black road leading straight ahead, lined with woodland trees with orange leaves.

Read about Westhumble to Merstham stage 3 here.
Read about Oxted to Otford stage 5 here.

For other walking ideas in the area, you can check out my guide on the best walks in the Surrey Hills here.

Route description: How to walk from Merstham to Oxted

So, I did cheat a little at the start. From Merstham station, rather than walking back to where I left the NDW, I took a back route. The official way would have me walking along road for about a mile. This way was mostly trail, so it made sense.

Following my route, if you arrived at Merstham Station in a southern direction, leave the platform and follow the path under the bridge to reach a green residential area.

You should see a totem pole and footpath sign on the green. Follow the direction of the sign.

A green grass hill, with a totem pole. There are orange leafed trees at the top of the hill.

A grass field with a hill ahead and left, with orange leafed trees at the top. There is a house ahead on the right.

Now, this green I did find to be deceptively boggy. It was easy to step around though.

The first M25 crossing

When you reach the path, you can follow it up in a zigzag, or just cut straight up the hill. Once at the top, you should see a white bridge over the M25. Go over it.

Looking down at a bridge with white railings, at the start of the walk from Merstham to Oxted. There bridge is surrounded by trees with yellow leaves.

Looking down along the M4 motorway, with lots of cars driving along it. The motorway is lined with trees with orange and yellow leaves.

Once across, follow the trail. At first lined with trees, then on green briefly, and then along the trail through the bushes to the right.

A dirt path lined with bushes. some are leafless, some have green leaves.

A patch of overgrown grass, with a barely visible trail leading between some bushes. — This is the trail through the bushes on the right

This will lead you to a narrow uphill trail with a big fence to the right. This fence lined path goes on for a little longer than you think, uphill most of the way. I did find it a little creepy, and was relieved when I finally saw the gate exit onto the road.

A dirt path with a wooden fence on the right and green leafy bushes to the left.

A lease covered dirt path leading to a wooden gate. The path is lined with wooden fences. There is light beyond the gate.

Finding the North Downs Way

Through the gate, you should see the first North Downs Way sign. I was quite pleased, as I wasn’t entirely sure I was going the correct way.

A black and yellow north downs way disc on a wooden post, on the walk from Merstham to Oxted. There is green ivy on the fence behind it.

At the road, turn right, then someway further along you should see a trail sign next to the house on the other side of the road. Go and follow that trail.

A road leading ahead, with a pavement on the right and bushes and trees on the left.

Looking across the road to a mass of green and neatly cut hedges. with a rooftop poking out the top. — The trail sign is across the road here

The second M25 crossing

This will lead you through some woodland, then after you curve to the left, you will reach another NDW sign, pointing you right. This leads you, this time, under the M25.

A narrow path lined with grass, and a tall wooden fence on the right and bush on the left. There is a rooftop over the other side of the fence.

A ground covered in fallen red leaves, surrounded by woodland trees when walking from Merstham to Oxted.

A dirt trail leading through a bush and tree tunnel.

An opening with a wooden trail signpost pointing right, surrounded by woodland trees. — Turn right here

Looking through a dark tunnel to trees out the other side, with light shining down on them.

The path will then take you uphill to the right, then at the little junction continue straight across and continue up the hill.

A path leading straight ahead, lined with bushes.

A wooden stump trail sign on the grass hill. — Go straight across here

It’s quite noisy here, as you are practically on the motorway.

Looking across the green grass field to the M4 motorway. There are light posts lining the motorway, and a bridge across it ahead.

The first views on the walk between Merstham and Oxted

Continue going up, through some bushes and trees, then up across another field. It’s up here where you get some great views looking back down.

A grass path leading uphill, lined with wire fence and fields. There are trees ahead at the top of the hill.

The dirt trail leading into a bush tunnel. The bush has green and red leaves.

A dirt path leading uphill through the grass. There are trees at the top of the hill.

Looking down the grass hill to a mass of trees as far as the eye can see, on the walk from Merstham to Oxted. The leaves of the trees are different shades of red, orange, and green. — Looking back

When you get to the top, follow the track to the right. The track will become a little more dirt and mud like, lined with trees and bushes, to reach the road.

A wodę dirt path across the screes, witty a hedge on the other side and wooden trail signpost in front of it. — Turn right here

A muddy dirt trail leading ahead, lined with grass and hedges.

A dirt trail leading straight ahead, lined with straggly bushes and trees.

A country road from left to right, with a bush on this side, and more bushes in the other side. There is a wooden trail signpost on this side of the road.

At the road, continue straight across, still on road, passing by a Pilgrims Way sign, and then curving a little to the right past some houses.

A dirt road leading towards some houses. There are a few leafless trees ahead. — Walk along here following the road to the right

A wooden trail signpost pointing right for the pilgrims way. There are green leafy trees behind the sign.

The horses

You will be on rugged road for a little, lined with bushes and trees, which then leads onto a muddy track past the stables sign.

A dirt road leading ahead, lined with messy bushes and trees, when walking from Merstham to Oxted.

A narrow road leading ahead, and driveway leading off it to the right. The road leading between some bushes and hedges. — Continue straight here

A muddy dirt path, lined with green leafy bushes and trees.

A split in the dirt path, with green leafy tress and bushes in the junction. — Stay straight here

Stay on this track, passing by some turns, and you will soon reach the horsy area*

A horse standing between tow curving trees trunks, when walking from Merstham to Oxted. The horse is brown and white, with a long main. The ground is covered in red and orange fallen leaves.

*I can’t guarantee there will be horses when you are there. They should be on the left though.

After enjoying the horses, continue on the bridleway track. There are a few NDW signs along here. If they are missing, then just make sure to stay on the main bridleway, ignoring any small trail turnings.

A dirt road leading ahead, lined with bushes. The bushes on the right are leafless, the bushes on the left have green leaves.

A dirt path leading straight ahead, lined with bushes. There is a wooden trail signpost on the right side pointing ahead, back, and left.

This will lead you out of the trees, and passed some more houses with horse fields.

A muddy dirt track leading ahead, lined with hedges. There is and open gate in the hedge on the right.

Views to London

When you reach the road corner, stay straight with the hedge to your left. Along here, you should be able to see the London Skyline to the left over the hedge.

A wet dirt road leading ahead, with a few puddles in it. There is a hedge on the left side and wooden fence on the right. — Stay straight here, keeping the hedge to your left

Looking over the hedge to a view in the distance of the orange leafed trees and then the London skyline, partway through the walk from Merstham to Oxted. — See London in the distance

At the next junction, with a big sign marking the gateway to the Surrey Hills, turn right.

A dirt road on the left, and dirt road leading off it to the right, with a small green in the junction. There is an information board in the junction. There are orange leafy trees ahead in the distance. — Turn right here

You will now be on a dirt road path, which could be very puddle filled after rain. Keep following it all the way to reach the road.

A road filled with puddles of water, and a small hedge on the left, and tall green leafy bushes on the right.

A road running from left to right and then curving straight, with green leafy trees and bushes in the curve on the other side. — Follow that car

Whitehill Tower

From the road, you should be able to make out a tower through the trees ahead. What you want to do is cross the road, onto the road ahead, so you walk with the tower to your left. You will get a better view of it soon.

Ruins of a tall stone tower ahead behind the bushes and trees, when walking between Merstham and Oxted.

This is Whitehill Tower. It was built by someone called Jeremiah Long on 1862. Apparently you have a great view from the top, which would suggest you can climb up it. I wasn’t sure how to do this as it was behind what looked to be a private wall and gate. So I continued on.

The road and the woods

You will be walking on road now for about half a mile, passing by some houses, and lined with trees. When you reach the sign that says ‘Surrey Cycleway’ at the crossroad, take the trail on the right that leads straight ahead.

A road leading ahead, lined with green leafy bushes and trees.

A dark road leading ahead and then carving right, lined with trees. The trees have a mix of green and bright orange leaves. There is the rooftop of a house visible past the road bend ahead.

A road leading ahead and lined with bushes and trees. There is a dirt trial leading off the road on the right side with a few road and trail signposts on the right. — Cross over the road here to take the trail on the right running parallel to the road

You will now be walking through some woodland. Stay on the main trail at the first two junctions with signposts (see photos below).

A dirt path leading straight ahead through the woods, with green leaves.

A dirt path junction in the woods, covered in fallen yellow and orange leaves. — The main trail is the one ahead and a little right (not the far right)

A dirt path junction in the woods, with a wooden trail signpost in the junction. There trees are full of green leaves. — Stay on this main trail ahead

The trail becomes quite interesting. I’m not quite sure how to describe it.

A dirt path through the woods, cast in shadows with light shining through.

Then at the next point with trail offshoots, stay on the main one straight. This will lead you to the road. There are no NDW signs here telling you which way to go next (or I missed it).

A split in the dirt trail, with green bushes and trees lending the trails. — Stay straight here

The halfway point in the walk between Merstham and Oxted

At the road, turn right and you will see a large green with benches, and a grand view across the Surrey hills. This is the halfway point in the walk from Merstham to Oxted.

Looking down the hill to a view of fills of green surrounded by trees.

Walk to the other side of the green, and pick up the trail which leads to the right.

the corner of the green with neatly cut grass. There is a path going around the corner of the green. There is a wooden bench on the green on the right and a tree full of orange leaves.

This will take you on a path through the trees passing by a few openings with viewpoint benches.

A dirt path junction, with a wooden bench facing right. There is a tree with red leaves in the junction.

Passing by all the views with benches, I did wonder, as lovely as the views are, I’m not sure how relaxing it is with the noise of the M25 below.

More woods

You will continue through the woods for a little. Staying on the main trail, past a wooden stump with a NDW sticker sign.

A wide dirt path covered in fallen red leaves, leading through the woods. The sun is shining down creating rays of light through the trees.

In the photo below, stay on the main path (not the left one).

A red leafed covered dirt ground through the woods, with a wooden trail stump signpost on the right.

A ground covered in fallen brown and orange leaves in the woods. It is dark with a few rays of light shining through.

At the next sign, take the steps down on the right.

A wooden stump trail sign with two white acorn signs on it, marking the North downs way national trail between Merstham and Oxted.

Wooden railing and steps leading down in the woods. The ground is covered in fallen brown leaves.

The trail will lead you to another signpost, where you also take the right down some steps.

A ground covered in fallen brown leaves in the woods, with steps and wooden railing leading down on the right, and a wooden trail signpost on the left.

Some more roads

Keep following the trail to reach the road, where you turn right to walk across the bridge over the A22.

A bridge with, metal railings and the yellow leafed tree tops ahead.

Follow the path, then at the junction, turn right.

The path with a big puddle in the middle of it. There is a metal fence on the other side of the path, and a green grass field past the fence. — Turn right here

Now, a short way along, look out for a wooden stump next to a small offshoot path on the left. Take it. This will lead you down to a road, with some buildings on the left.

A dirt path leading ahead, lined with trees, and a trail covered in fallen orange leaves leading off it to the right. — Turn left here off the main path

A narrow dirt path lined with messy green bushes.

Looking across the road to a trail leading up through the trees. There is a wooden trail signpost next to the trail on the right. — This is the road (the buildings aren’t in the picture)

Cross over the road to pick up the trail on the other side. This trail will take you back up a small hill, then at the next road, turn right.

A narrow dirt trial leading uphill, lined with messy green leaves bushes and trees.

Looking across the road with a tall grass bank, and a wooden trail signpost pointing left, right and back. — Turn right here

A road track with a strip of grass down the middle. The road is lined with hedges with green and orange leaves.

Follow this road, which will lead you to a yellow barrier and back onto a trail through some woods.

The dirt path leading pass a yellow metal gate, into the woods.

Continue along the trail, passing by a series of wooden stumps with NDW arrow stickers.

the dirt path leading ahead in the woods, with a large fallen tree on the right. There is a wooden trail stump signpost on the left, with and arrows. pointing straight ahead.

A wooden trail stump sign with a blue and white arrow pointing ahead, across a ground covered in fallen orange leaves. There is a farm tracker trailer ahead.

This will lead you to another road. I did say there is lots of road.

A road corner, with part of a white coloured house visible off frame to the right. There are trees lining thew road ahead. — The trail sign is straight across here

Straight ahead, you should see a wooden trail signpost. Cross over the road to take the trail next to the sign.

A wooden trail signpost pointing along the dirt trail leading up the hill. There is a wooden fence next to the sight, with trees behind it, and part of a green grass hill visible past the trees.

This will lead you around the edge of a hill field, and then into the woods again.

A dirt trail leading up the hill on the right, with the grass hill field to the left. There is a wire fence between the trail and field. with a There are bushes and trees lining the right side of the trail.

A long wide orange leaved covered path through the woods.

The view

A short way along, you will be out in the open, with a really wonderful view and nicely placed benches.

A green with neatly cut grass, and two wooden benches in the middle, on the walk from Merstham to Oxted. There are leafless trees head, with left bushes below them.

Looking down the hill to a vast view of fields of green with groups of trees as far as the horizon.

At this point, it’s a while since the last good view. Savour it, as it will disappear again. However, towards the end you will be treated with probably my favourite views of the walk between Merstham and Oxted.

The last lot of woods

Continue on the trail into the woods again, passing by a couple of wooden stumps with NDW stickers. Then at the next main wooden signpost, continue past it, following the NDW arrow.

A dirt trail leading through the woods with leafless straggly trees. There is a wooden trail stump signpost on the left side with arrows pointing ahead.

A large opening in the woods, with the ground covered in red leaves. There is a big tree on the right, and wooden trail signpost on the left.

After a little bit more woodland, you will reach another road, which you go straight across to pick up the wide trail on the other side.

A yellow and brown leafed covered trial leading through the woods.

A brown leafed covered ground in the woods with a wooden gate with an opening ahead. — The road is just past this fence opening

A fallen leaf covered dirt trail leading ahead through the woods. There is a wooden trail signpost on the right, and a white coloured postbox in the left. — This is the trail on the other side of the road

After more woods (it might not sound like it, but I was enjoying the woods, with all the crunchy autumn leaves on the ground), you will reach another road.

A wide dirt trail covered in brown leaves, leading through the woods.

A curved metal gate and fence on the edge of the woods, with the road ahead below it. There is a wooden trial sign on the right with arrows poitning through the gate.

This one is odd. There is a gate, but I’m not sure of the purpose of it. You will know what I mean when you are there. Next you skirt along the left side of the road. At first, I wasn’t sure that I was on a proper path, but the good old wooden stump with arrow stickers showed up to reassure me.

Walking along the edge of the woods, on a dirt trail covered in fallen brown leaves. The road is just visible to the right running parallel to the trail.

A wooden stump trail sign with a white across sign and arrows potting up some steps, on the walk between Merstham and Oxted. The ground is covered in fallen orange leaves.

The stump arrows will point you up a few steps, after which you continue walking parallel to the road, on a trail that is less obvious….or could it be that the autumn leaves obscured it.

Walking along the edge of the woods, through the thin tree trunks. The ground is covered in fallen leaves. The road is visible below to the right.

A narrow dirt trail leading through the straggly bushes and trees.

You will soon be on, guess what? Another road. Continue straight along the road, then turn right at the junction.

A road running g diagonally left from the bottom right corner. The road is surround. by woodland trees.

A road curving ahead, with a big puddle on the left, and wire fence on the right. There are bushes on the left side of the road, and a big tree on the right. — This is after you turn right at the junction

Someway further along the road, you will see a wooden trail signpost on the right, pointing to a couple of trails. Follow the trail which goes parallel to the road.

A dirt trail leading off the road, past the bushes into the woods. There is a wooden trial signpost next to the trail.

A dirt trail covered in fallen leaves, leading through the straggly bushes and trees.

It was along here that I found my first tree obstacle. I had been wondering when one would show up. We had just come out of a big big storm, so I was expecting more.

A thin trunked tree fallen across the dirt path in the woods.

All the best views and my favourite part of the walk between Merstham and Oxted

Keep going, then at the trail split, turn right to walk down the hill.

A junction in the woods, covered in fallen red leaves. — Turn right here

A wide dirt path leading down through the woods, on the walk between Merstham and Oxted. The path is lined with bushes, and there is an opening visible at the other end of the path with a few big trees.

At the next junction with a trail signpost, turn left.

A junction in the woods, with two big trees on the right, and a wooden trail signpost pointing left, right, and back. — Turn left here

A dirt path lined with green leafed bushes.

Further along you will reach a wonderful viewpoint (with a broken information board). I had a look down at the M25. Knowing I would have to cross it soon, I tried to figure out where that crossing would be. I couldn’t see anything, so had to just trust that the trail would do me right.

A broken information board sitting in front of a bush, looking out to a view of fields of green and trees as far as the eye can see, near the end of the walk from Merstham to Oxted. There is a wooden bench on the right, looking out across the view.

Looking over the bush to a view below of fields and trees leading into the horizon, near the end of the walk between Merstham and Oxted.

Back through the woods, and past another viewpoint with bench, you will reach a junction with a wooden stump sign and sticker. Follow the trail to the right and down a whole lot of steps.

A dirt path leading through the woods. The ground is covered in red leaves. The trees and bushes have a mix of red, green and yellow leaves.

A wooden bench on the right, facing ahead to a view across the fills and trees below. The light is shining down on the fills, creating a golden glow.

A wooden trail signpost on the right with lots of arrow markers. Ahead is a mass of straggly green leafy bushes and trees. — Turn right here

Steps covered in fallen leaves leading down through the woods. There is a wooden railing on the right side. There are trees hanging over the steps on the left.

The trail will then become very narrow as it takes you to the left, leading you back out of the trees for all those good views again.

A narrow path covered in red leaves, and lined with a mass of bushes on both sides.

Looking down to a view of fields and trees as far as the eye can see, near the end of the walk between Merstham and Oxted.

This next bit is my favourite part of the walk between Merstham and Oxted. The trail leads along the side of the hill, with a wonderful view to the undulating hills ahead. Woodland isn’t my favourite thing. This is more my vibe.

A narrow trail on the left, on the side of a hill, with a view to fields lined with trees below to the right. There is a barbed wire fence eon the right side of the trail.

You will then be lead through an ‘adventurous’ bush tunnel where you will need to squat and walk.

A trail leading through a bush tunnel, with light at the end.

When you reach the gate, go through it and walk down the hill.

The path leading to a metal curved gate, in front of a mass of bushes. There is a wooden trail sign on the left, pointing right through the gate.

The grass trail leading down the hill, with a large field at the bottom, and woodland trees past the field.

The final stretch of the walk between Merstham and Oxted

Continue down the hill, through a gate, and then turn left at the wooden signpost to walk along the edge of the field.

A dirt trail curving to the left around the bush, with a wooden trail signpost on the curve. There ism a large green grass field ahead, and trees in the distance.

Walking along the edge of a large grass field, with orange leafed trees running along the left side.

At this point I check the train times. I then checked google maps. Apparently my current pace would have me at Oxted station 3 minutes too late to catch the next train. If I missed that train, I’d have to wait an hour for the next one.

If I made it in time, I would be home and showered before the next one even arrived. So I started to run.

Near the end of this field, go through the gate to the left. Then at the road, turn right.

A barely visible trail amongst the long grass on the left, leading to a metal gate between the bushes. There is a grass field to the right. — Take this gate on the left

A road leading straight ahead, lined with trees and bushes with green leaves.

A short way along the road, you will see a trail and wooden signpost to the left. This is the NDW. So if you want to continue the trail, then follow it. If you want to walk to Oxted, then stay on the road.

The mystery of the M25 crossing is solved as you walk under the bridge below it. Then after this you will reach a residential area. Now it’s all the lefts…..

A residential road leading straight ahead. The road is lined with either hedge or stone walls and some trees.

At the junction, turn left. At the next junction, turn left again. Then at the next junction, look left and you will see the Oxted Station sign.

Follow the Station approach road and you will reach it.

A road junction with a railway bridge ahead to the left. There is a sign by the bridge saying 'Oxted Nation'. There are a few cars driving along the road.

Looking along a road lined with various shops and buildings at Oxted, at the end of the walk from Merstham.

Read next: Stage 5 Oxted to Otford