Location for a home ~ Comment:  Highly Recommended. An exceptionally attractive village of largely Victorian character in superb walking and riding  country.    On local bus route.

Present Day Aspect and Character

he old villages of Felday and Pitland Street were joined and given this name when the Victorians popularised them and built larger country homes in the pine woods. Holmbury St Mary is a small village in the middle of the Hurtwood centred in a valley on a road running at 500 feet across the hills between Forest Green and Abinger Hammer.   It still has largely Victorian character and makes a virtue of it, there being little or no new building allowed in the area.   At its centre is a tranquil pocket of picturesque cottages on a steep wooded site with a small triangular green overlooked by St Mary’s church which is one of G E Street’s last. 

Travellers approaching from the north will notice low-lying houses, clinging tightly against the left hand side of the road, whereupon the little triangular green opens up on the right hand side. Behind the green, majestically embedded in the heavily wooded backdrop of Holmbury Hill, is the magnificent church.   Holmbury St Mary is a charming, sheltered, tiny Surrey village, visited from afar because of its lovely scenery and good choice of local pubs! Perhaps because of this, it is a regular haunt for riders, mountain bikers and ramblers!

Next to the church (as is so often the case!) is a local public house. On this occasion it is the 'Royal Oak', one of two in the village, which also overlooks the green and stands at the end of Felday Glade. This pretty single track lane, lined with period houses, finishes at a car park, where a huge network of footpaths and bridleways lead over Holmbury Hill. This beautiful open countryside, which is in fact private land, is nevertheless kept open for the public's access and enjoyment and managed by Hurtwood Control (Tel: 01306 730919) click on the Holmbury St Mary button in the margin for more information. Holmbury Hill is second only in height to neighbouring Leith Hill on the sandstone ridge, at 857 feet above sea level.  From the summit, once the site of an Iron Age Fort, a wonderful panoramic view may be enjoyed southwards across the Weald.    

Holmbury has a chain of big late 19th century houses on the south slope of the Hurtwood facing over the Weald, like the jewels around a necklace.  They border one of the County's prettiest lanes towards Peaslake,  it is so narrow in places and so little used it is more like a long private drive way  than a public road. It crosses through the forestry and sandy deposits sweep across the surface before it drops the traveller into the valley at Peaslake. 

There is no primary school in the village centre, but the school at Abinger Common is within easy reach just beyond the village boundary.  There is however Belmont Preparatory Independent School, standing high above the village in an imposing spot. Facilities include a specialist dyslexia unit called 'Moon Hall'.   Tel: 01306 730852

The village also has a Youth Hostel. This popular little hostel sits just outside of the village of Holmbury St. Mary in the Hurtwood. Purpose built in 1935 and opened on May 30th 1936 it has always served as a Youth Hostel. It attracts travelers from all the world and many school groups from the local area including people of all ages. The Holmbury St. Mary Youth Hostel provides basic accommodation and good meals if required. The YHA's policy has always been to help those of limited means, especially the young and disadvantaged explore and appreciate the countryside. I'm proud to say that this hostel is still functioning well as a Youth Hostel after 70 years. And long may it continue to prosper. Click here for more information

The Holmbury St. Mary Youth Hostel

The Kings Head, Pitland Street is located on the site of a very old ale house this has been a pub since the early 19th century.  Tucked in a tiny side street away from the main village road, you may come across it only by accident or after a good walk on Holmbury Hill.  Tel:  01306 730282

The Royal Oak, Felday Glade is a 17th century inn overlooking the village green in this attractive village next to St Mary's church and at the foot of a bridlepath reaching up over Holmbury Hill.  At one time frequented by smugglers en route from Portsmouth to London through the deep cut roads.  It is reported to have been visited by Pitt the Elder and George II on their way to Portsmouth to review the fleet.  Tel: 01306 730120