Gardens and Open Spaces

Ashtead Park Local Nature Reserve (LNR)

Location: Situated to the east of the village and immediately south of the main Epsom Road.

An area of woodland / wood pasture that was once part of the original park belonging to the manor house of Ashtead.

There are two large ponds, both of which are fished by a local club.

The Woodfield

Location: Between Barnett Wood Lane and the railway line.

A Site of Nature Conservation Interest and managed primarily for wildlife value, providing a pleasant walk to and from Ashtead Station to the north.

Great Turners Wood

Location: Situated South West of the village, adjacent to Highland Road.

A 4 hectare woodland site, designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest with a small area of ancient woodland.

It has a stream and is situated on heavy clay.  It is important for its woodland flora, butterflies and diversity of habitats.

Merebank Open Space

Location: Adjacent to the Beare Green Community Centre with access from Willow Close, Merebank and Hawkesmoore Drive.

Open space with children’s playground and basketball court. There is also a small woodland and pond.

Brockham Green

Location: At the centre of the village, from Brockham Lane and Middle Street.

This picturesque and well-known village green is the venue for the annual Brockham Bonfire.

Betchworth Park

Location: Access from Punchbowl Lane, opposite Ladyegate Road.

Formerly part of the Deepdene Estate, Betchworth Park is a remnant of the medieval deer park for Betchworth Castle. Footpaths through the parkland provide a pleasant walk around the edge of the golf course.

Chart Park

Location: To the south east of Dorking on the A24 just north of the junction with Chart Lane South.

This area of land, Deepdene Terrace and the Dorking Golf Course, were all originally part of the Deepdene Estate, the home of the Hope family for much of the 19th Century. The site contains the Hope family mausoleum, a Grade ll* listed building.

The Cotmandene

Location: South of Dorking High Street.

This attractive open space is common land with views across Dorking as well as to Boxhill and Ranmore.

Deepdene Garden

Location: Adjacent to Cotmandene off the A24.

Description: This garden is the recently uncovered Deepdene Garden.

Formed in the mid 17th Century it was probably the first ‘true Italian garden’ owning to its dramatic landform.

Deepdene Terrace

Location: South east of Dorking.

This is an area of woodland and The Terrace may be approached on foot either from the main A24 road, roughly opposite the junction with Chart Lane North, or from Deepdene Wood.

From the top of the terrace there are fine views across the Weald, and further historic views are being revealed.

This area was the site of a vineyard in the 17th century.

The Glory Woods and Devil’s Den

Location: This site is only accessible on foot, with pedestrian access sign posted from Dorking town centre via St Paul’s Road and the Glory Field. There is also access from the Goodwyns Estate, Claygate Road and the main A24.

These are areas of deciduous woodland on the sandstone hills to the south of Dorking.

The southern part of the site, known as the Devil’s Den, is mainly oak woodland, with an area of sweet chestnut coppice.

The Nower and Milton Heath

Location: On the western edge of Dorking with access from Coldharbour Lane, Hampstead Lane and the A25 Westcott Road.

A mixture of open grassland, sandy heathland and woodland with magnificent views across The Weald to the south and to Ranmore, Box Hill and the North Downs.

Parking is available on Milton Heath from the access on Westcott Road.

Pippbrook Grounds

Location: Between the A24 Reigate Road and London Road.

The gardens behind Pippbrook were originally the grounds of Pippbrook House, a listed Victorian Gothic style building by Sir George Gilbert Scott.

South Street Gardens

Location: South Street, Dorking.

A small paved area in Dorking where the war memorial is located.

Ridgeway Garden

Location: The Ridgeway, Fetcham.

Small formal garden adjoining Fetcham Parish Church containing a War Memorial.

Barn Hall Open Space

Location: Access from Mead Crescent and The Garstons, Bookham.

Small field adjoining the rear of The Old Barn Hall.

Long Copse

Location: On the corner of Eastwick Drive and Spring Grove, Bookham.

Small open space with an open grass area, woodland and two ponds. Fishing rights on the ponds are licensed to Leatherhead and District Angling Society.

Emlyn Lane – Riverside Area

Location: Between the Town Bridge and Waterway Road.

A small riverside site which forms part of the River Mole Corridor Local Nature Reserve. Excellent views of Leatherhead’s bridges.

King George V Garden

Location: Bull Hill with further access from the car park in Upper Fairfield Road.

Small formal garden close to the town centre. Most of the garden is held under covenant and is preserved in perpetuity as a memorial to King George V.

The Mansion Gardens

Location: Access to the garden can be gained from Vicarage Lane, off Church Street, or from the riverside footpath off Minchin Close.

An attractive, quiet area close to the town centre overlooking the river.

The islands in the river provide a valuable habitat for wildlife as part of the River Mole Local Nature Reserve.

The far bank of the river has a riverside footpath that runs from the Town Bridge to Thorncroft Bridge, along the edge of the grounds of Leatherhead Leisure Centre.

Park Gardens

Location: On the corner of Dorking Road and Church Road, at the top of Gimcrack Hill.

These picturesque ornamental gardens form the frontage to the parish church with extensive views to the Fetcham Downs, Norbury Park and up the Mole Valley.

Red House Grounds

Location: Between Randalls Road and Station Road (in the centre of the one way system).

The site is close to the town centre and provides a major footpath route between the railway station and the town.

River Lane Open Space & Fetcham Splash

Location: Along the banks of the River Mole with access from both the Leatherhead and Fetcham ends of River Lane.

This area is the northern-most tip of the River Mole Corridor Local Nature Reserve.

An island in the middle of the river can be accessed via a footbridge.

Holmwood Park

Location: Access from Chart Gardens.

The various small amenity areas on this housing estate are maintained as public open spaces, including a small play area on Wildcroft Drive and the balancing pond in Lake View.

The northern boundary of the estate is formed by a strip of protected woodland on the edge of the Bentsbrook stream, linking to King George V Playing Field via two footbridges.

Inholms Lane Open Space Local Nature Reserve

Location: South of Holmwood Park with pedestrian access from the cattle arch under Inholms Lane, at the top of Holmbury Drive.

This little known area of land was formerly quarried for brick making clay but has now become a haven for wildlife, particularly butterflies. The site is a mixture of open grassland and young woodland and has been designated as a Local Nature Reserve.

Westcott Village Green

Location: Off the A25 Guildford Road.

The small green in the centre of the village is owned and maintained by us.