Ashtead

Ashtead Park Local Nature Reserve
Situated to the east of the village and immediately south of the main Epsom Road, this site is leased by the Council to Surrey Wildlife Trust, and is managed and maintained by the Trust under a 50 year management agreement. (Contact details for Surrey Wildlife Trust can be found on the main Parks page.)  The area of woodland was once part of the original park belonging to the manor house of Ashtead. The present park was laid out and enclosed in the latter part of the 17th century. Part of the original park now forms the grounds of the City of London Freeman's School, whilst the public open space is bounded by Rookery Hill, Farm Lane and the main Epsom Road.

Ashtead Park Upper Pond

Ashtead Park is situated on heavy London clay and contains characteristic vegetation, with mainly oak woodland. The site lies wet in the winter and there are two large ponds, both of which are fished by a local club.  The lower pond is also managed as a haven for wildlife.

The main entrance to the park from the Epsom Road is through an imposing set of wrought iron gates, which are a Grade 2 listed structure.



Ashtead Recreation Ground
This spacious recreation ground is situated to the south of Barnett Wood Lane. There is a good network of surfaced footpaths and a large well used children's playground which is scheduled for refurbishment in 2007/08.  The recreation ground is the home of both Ashtead Football Club and Ashtead Tennis Players Club. There is also a  hard-court area on site, which is available for casual hire through Ashtead Football Club.

The frontage to the ground on Barnett Wood Lane includes the well known village pond on the corner of Woodfield Lane. As well as access from Barnett Wood Lane there are entrances at Woodfield Lane, Greville Park Avenue and Oakfield Road.

The Woodfield
This open space lies between Barnett Wood Lane and the railway line. Part of the site is open grassland and the remainder is more wooded. The site provides a more informal area than the recreation ground opposite, and is managed primarily for wildlife value, providing a pleasant walk to and from Ashtead Station to the north.