Redhill Common
SUGGESTED COURSES
Starting from Whitepost Hill, northern side of the common:
Short (1.2km): 1-5, 12-16
Long (1.9km): 1-16
Starting from Sandpit Road, on the eastern side of the common:
Short (1.1km): 8,9,12,13,14,5,6
Medium (1.7km): 8,9,12,13,14,16,1,2,3,4,5,6
Long (1.9km): 7-16, 1-6
There are various other access points onto the Common, so you may prefer to design your own course.
Please be aware that Post 16 is missing and Post 15 is broken off. Post 9 has been lost to brambles. We are aiming to do maintenance on the course during 2024.
| Redhill Common map | FREE |
| Redhill Common map | FREE |
Click on the shopping basket above to download for free or download the map and notes free from the Mole Valley Orienteering Club website
Using the Common: Within Redhill Common you will find many places to enjoy. There are woods, hills, clearings, ponds and a system of grassy footpaths. Look out for a variety of wildlife and the fine views from the top. Please respect the ‘out-of-bounds’ areas and surrounding houses and do not go onto surrounding roads.
Some history: Redhill Common comprises an area of land poorly suited to grazing or farming and so became “common” land in c1100. Some of the land was secured for the public in 1867 but much was threatened by digging for sand and gravel. Can you see the old gravel workings on the east of the map? This threat led to an 1884 Act of Parliament which established a conservation body for its protection. Two tree clumps planted for Queen Victoria in 1887 and 1897 are still visible on the top (and one is used as a checkpoint site). Redhill Common provides the origins of the name “Red Hill” when the Whitepost Hill post office moved in 1856 to Station Road in what was then the fast growing commuter settlement of Warwick Town. It took the “Red Hill” stamp to frank mail and a new name was born.