Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve Needs You!

Please help ensure the effective future management of Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve (LNR).  Please visit www.greenstat.org.uk and tell us what you think about how Horton Country Park LNR is being managed today.  Just follow the online instructions and please choose the Parks and Open Spaces Questionnaire. Thank you for your help.

Access

Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve is situated in the northern half of the Borough.  There are many access points to the site.  The main car park for access to walk/cycle and explore is off Horton Lane towards the southern end of the Country Park.  There are also car parks for the Golf, Farm and Equestrian Centres.

View a Map and Tour of the park.

The site is accessible by pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders from the following locations:

• The main public car park off Horton Lane
• The public footpath at the entrance to West Park Hospital leading to 'Park Farm' - pedestrians only
• The lane leading to the Guide camp and cottages off Horton Lane
• The Farm Centre, footpath leading to the main public car park - pedestrians and cyclists only
• The public footpath off Horton Lane adjacent to the rear entrance of the main public car park, leading to Green Lanes, Chessington - pedestrians only
• The public footpath opposite Chantilly Way, leading to Green Lanes, Chessington - pedestrians only
• Footpath from 'Castle Hill Nature Reserve' in the Royal Borough Of Kingston - pedestrians only
• Footpath from Collier Close - pedestrians and cyclists only
• Footpath off Chessington Road opposite the end of Ruxley Lane - pedestrians and cyclists only
• Footpath off Chessington Road midway between Ruxley Lane, Chessington Road roundabout and the Hook Road/Chessington Road roundabout - pedestrians and cyclists only
• The Golf Centre from the car park - pedestrians and cyclists only
• Equestrian-only entrance off Horton Lane from Horton Farm Stables and from the Riding For The Disabled stables on Hook Road.

Horton Country Park is open all year round.  The paths and tracks on the site are for pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists only.  Please remember, when visiting the countryside, to act responsibly and show consideration for wildlife and other visitors.  Dog walkers are welcome on the site but are reminded to keep their dogs under close control and that it is an offence to allow a dog to foul any open space.  Please put all dog faeces in a bag and place it in a dog waste bin or litter bin.  For more information about responsible access to the countryside, please look at the countryside access website.

Activities

Activities' visitors to the reserve can enjoy include Walking, Cycling, Running, Horse Riding, Dog Walking, Nature Watching, Events, Kite flying, Orienteering, Golf (Tel 020 8393 8400), Polo (Tel 01372 743084), Family Events, Guided Walks and Volunteering (Tel 01372 732000 or email contactus@epsom-ewell.gov.uk).

Facilities

Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve is 400 acres in size.  The site is divided into four distinct areas.  Around half of the Country Park is public open space designated as Local Nature Reserve.  It is managed, where possible, to maintain and improve ecological diversity and maintain good public access.  The remaining area within the Country Park is divided between the Farm, Golf and Equestrian Centres.

• The Farm Centre is called 'Horton Park Children's Farm' and offers children and adults a chance to meet common and rare farm animals.  There is also a large adventure playground, cafe and shop.  The Farm can be contacted on 01372 743984
• The Golf Centre is called 'Horton Park Country Club' and offers an 18 hole course, driving range and restaurant.  Horton Park Country Club can be contacted on 020 8393 8400
• The Equestrian Centre is called 'Equus' and offers livery, pony trekking and polo.  Equus can be contacted on 01372 743084.

For those wishing to explore on foot, by bicycle or by horse, Horton Country Park is a wild and wonderful site full of wildlife.

History

The recorded history of Horton Country Park goes back to Medieval times.  The Council provides an annual history walk, taking you on a three hour walk around the site. To check the date please view our Events Calendar.

Click here to go on a virtual journey through time at Horton Country Park.

Leaflets

There are currently three leaflets available for Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve.  The leaflets are available free of charge from the Information Centre at Horton Country Park, the Town Hall and can be requested via Customer Services on 01372 732000.  They are:

• The general site leaflet 'Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve' showing paths and giving information on the wildlife and history of the site
• 'Days Of Steam' giving the history of a railway line that used to supply the complex of hospitals in the area
• 'Walks At Horton Country Park' - a self guided trail around the Country Park.

Management Plan

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council have produced a 10 year management plan for Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve commencing in 2006. To view the plan please use the link below.

Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve Management Plan

Working in accordance with this plan, the habitats on Horton Country Park are managed to improve their value for biodiversity. If you would like any more information about the management plan or the wildlife on Horton Country Park please contact a member of the Countryside Team on 01372 732000 or email contactus@epsom-ewell.gov.uk.

Projects

Restoration of Coppice Woodland

Coppicing is a traditional form of woodland management where trees and shrubs are cut down to ground level. This results in strong regrowth which produces a regular, sustainable supply of timber products suitable for a variety of uses. Coppicing has enormous benefits for nature conservation due to the increased amount of light that is allowed to reach the woodland floor. This promotes a greater variety of ground flora and enhances the biodiversity throughout the coppiced area.

There is evidence that Coppicing was practiced in Butcher's Grove, Horton Country Park from medieval times. The Lower Mole Project has been working on the restoration of this Coppice Woodland for over 20 years.

To find out more about Coppicing at Horton Country Park, or other current projects on the Reserve, please ring 01372 732000 and ask to speak to a member of the Countryside Team.

Volunteers & Community Groups

For many years Horton Country Park has benefited from the efforts of volunteers.  Three groups in particular are currently active:

• The Friends of Horton Country Park
• The Lower Mole Countryside Management Project
• Student volunteers from NESCOT.

The Friends of Horton Country Park was formed in October 1999 to provide a line of communication between Epsom & Ewell Borough Council (the owners) and members of the general public interested in improving Horton Country Park.  The group is well established with regular newsletters and conservation tasks.  To find out more visit the 'Friends' web site at www.friendsofhorton.co.uk.

The Lower Mole Countryside Management Project have been working on Horton Country Park for many years carrying out work to improve public access and for nature conservation.  For many years the project has been managing the reintroduction of Coppicing in Butcher's Grove.  The project offices are based in West Park Farm House on the Country Park and the project are actively seeking new volunteers.

Students from NESCOT visit us every Wednesday to carry out nature conservation tasks such as woodland thinning, scrub clearance, pond restoration and tree planting.

Wildlife

The starting point for anyone wishing to study the Country Park's wildlife is to know its geology.  Horton Country Park lies on a very thick layer of London Clay unlike the nearby chalklands of Epsom and Walton Downs.

Today we manage the Country Park to allow good public access whilst at the same time maintaining and improving the ecological diversity of the site.  The Country Park has an assortment of distinctive habitats ranging from Ancient Woodland to open grassland, and finally the various large and small ponds.  Much work has been carried out in recent years to reintroduce coppice management into Butcher's Grove.  

There are many species of trees and other plants, which provide habitats for a number of mammal, bird and insect species.  The Country Park holds many wildlife treasures, such as bluebell woods and the Green Woodpecker, the symbol of Horton Country Park.  Throughout the summer, an abundance of butterflies is to be found among the varied grasses and flowers.  Look out for Roe deer in the meadows and Heron on 'Meadow Pond'.  Each time you visit, you are sure to see something different.