The walk up to St Martha’s Church was long and fairly demanding, but reaching the top made the effort worthwhile. The church occupies a beautiful position on St Martha’s Hill, with spectacular views across the surrounding Surrey countryside.

The woodland along the route was alive with wildlife. We saw several Speckled Wood butterflies moving through the dappled shade, as well as Grey Squirrels among the trees. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was another welcome sighting, while several Robins were active along the path. Red Kites could also be seen soaring overhead, taking advantage of the open skies above the hill.

A memorable moment

At the summit, we noticed a photographer waiting near the church. He had been hired to secretly capture a marriage proposal taking place there. It added an unexpected sense of excitement to the visit, and it was easy to understand why the location had been chosen, the church, extensive views and peaceful surroundings made it a beautiful place to propose.

Reflection

This was an enjoyable walk that combined physical challenge, wildlife observation and impressive scenery. The Speckled Woods were a particular feature of the woodland, while the Red Kites added interest overhead. Reaching the church and discovering that a proposal was about to take place made the visit especially memorable.