From riverside walking and wooded parkland to vineyard views and relaxed local food, Mole Valley is made for an autumn weekend – and all within striking distance of Fetcham Park.

Saturday morning: begin in Leatherhead

Start slowly with coffee in Leatherhead before setting out on one of the area’s defining routes – the Mole Gap Trail.

The trail links Leatherhead and Dorking for around six miles, following the River Mole through a landscape that shifts from town to open parkland, woodland and chalk hills. The mornings are often fresh, the trees are beginning to change and the softer light brings out the contours of the valley.

Wear shoes that can handle uneven or muddy sections and check the forecast and current route information before leaving. Because the route links two railway towns, it also works neatly as a one-way walk, with the option of returning to Leatherhead by train.

Follow the river through Norbury Park

The route takes you through Norbury Park, a 530-hectare historic parkland of woods, farmland and varied wildlife habitats. Take your time here to look for changing leaves, listen for birds along the river and enjoy views towards Box Hill as you follow the trail.

If you prefer a shorter day, make Norbury Park your main outing instead: use one of its designated car parks and explore a smaller loop.

Saturday afternoon: views and a well-earned pause

If you are following the full Mole Gap Trail, continue through Westhumble and into Denbies Wine Estate, where vines spread across the lower slopes beneath the North Downs.

Even if you are not booking a tour, the vineyard landscape gives this part of the walk a distinctly local character and offers a change of scenery after the woodland of Norbury Park.

From here, continue towards Dorking, leaving time for a late lunch and a browse around its independent shops before heading to the station or settling in for the evening.

Keep the evening unhurried. Choose a local pub or restaurant and book ahead if you have somewhere particular in mind. After a day on foot, a relaxed dinner is a fitting way to finish.

Sunday: choose your pace

For an active start, head to Box Hill. There are routes for different abilities, from short viewpoints to longer descents and climbs. Check the National Trust visitor information for parking, path conditions and any temporary notices. After a morning at Box Hill, round off the weekend with a late lunch or early dinner and a short riverside stroll in Leatherhead.

Travelling by train to Mole Valley

If you are travelling by train, build the itinerary around Leatherhead, Box Hill and Westhumble, or Dorking stations.

A different perspective on the working week

The combination of countryside and nearby town life makes Mole Valley appealing for more than a weekend visit. It is also one of the reasons Fetcham Park feels so distinctive as a place to work and meet.

Close to Leatherhead yet surrounded by private landscaped grounds, it offers a daily connection to the character of the area.

To bring a little of that setting into the working week, explore the private offices and meeting spaces at Fetcham Park, in a historic house with garden views.

Speak to the team on 01372 371 000 hello@fetchampark.co.uk