Parks and Gardens in Elmbridge
Places to help you relax and unwind
Elmbridge is proud of its countryside and offers more than 2,000 acres of open space. The biggest jewel in this verdant crown is the borough's commons, a rare combination of heath and woodland.
The commons support an enormous amount of plant and animal life and are so valuable that much of the commons complex is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The commons are a rich source of enjoyment for visitors, providing a superb area for a leisurely stroll, horse riding, bird watching, dog walking and picnicking.
- |Parks and Open Spaces in Elmbridge (Part of Leisure and Cultural Services).
Elmbridge is a Borough that boasts a great number and range of green open spaces. Wherever you live in the Borough you are never very far away from one.
Why not find out what green spaces are on your doorstep just waiting to be discovered with our |'open space finder'? The larger recreation grounds boast amenities such as tennis courts, play areas and skate parks.
- |Elmbridge Commons (Part of Leisure and Cultural Services).
One of the borough's greatest attractions is its 2000 acres of open spaces, with 57% of Elmbridge protected as Green Belt. This includes 1300 acres of commons, most of which are centred around Esher and Oxshott. The Elmbridge commons consist of a wide variety of habitats including woodlands, ponds and heathland, which together, support an enormous amount of plant and animal life. The value of these habitats has led to most of the commons complex being designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by English Nature.
The commons are a rich source of enjoyment for all visitors, providing a superb area for walking, jogging, horse riding, bird watching and dog walking. There are a number of car parks providing easy access to way marked and signposted footpaths and bridleways.
- |Claremont Landscape Garden
Portsmouth Road, Esher. (tel: 01372 467806)
Dating from 1720, Claremont is one of earliest surviving English landscape gardens. It was restored to its former glory in the 1970s by the National Trust.
Today, a walk around the garden reveals a lake, an island complete with pavilion, a grotto and numerous avenues and glades. However, perhaps the most notable feature is an extraordinary turf amphitheatre which covers three acres and is the only surviving example of its kind in Europe. The garden also has circular walks that are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchair users.
- |Painshill Landscape Garden
Portsmouth Road, Cobham (tel: 01932 868113)
Painshill, contemporary with Stourhead and Stowe, is one of Europe's finest 18th century landscape gardens. It was created by the Hon. Charles Hamilton between 1738 and 1773, transforming barren heathland into ornamental pleasure grounds of dramatic beauty. The grounds are dominated by a 14 acre serpentine lake, fed from the river by an immense waterwheel. Other features include a Gothic tower and temple, a Chinese bridge, a grotto, a ruined abbey, a Turkish tent and a vineyard. The park is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including more than 60 species of birds.
- Prince's Coverts Oxshott
Prince's Coverts and the surrounding woodland areas known as Great Oaks and Woodlands Park are owned and managed by the Crown Estate.
Most of the forest is open to the public for key holders. Contact the address below for details of permit schemes.
There are no charges for walkers other than a small refundable deposit on the key.
For further details on access and horse riding permits in Prince's Coverts, please contact:
The Crown Estate Office, The Great Park, Windsor, Berks SL4 2HT
(tel: 01753 860222)
- Riverside
The borough's riverside areas offer some of the most attractive spots in north-east Surrey. The Thames, the Mole the Wey and the Ember have a great deal to offer visitors, including boat trips, rowing, fishing or a stroll along their scenic banks. Particularly popular areas are Cowey Sale at Walton on Thames and the towpath at West Molesey, which makes a pleasant walk to the riverside parade at East Molesey which looks across to Hampton Court.
Further Afield
RHS Wisley Gardens
Woking. 01483 224234. Open Monday - Saturday 10.00am - 7.00pm or dusk, Sunday - members only.
240 acres of Royal Horticultural Society gardens, plus plant sales and gift shop. Special events are held throughout the year.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Kew Road (A307). 0181 940 1171. Open Monday - Saturday 9.30am - dusk. 300 acres of landscaped grounds with more than 40,000 varieties of plants from all over the world. Also features the famous glasshouses, including the Evolution House and the Princess of Wales Conservatory.
Syon Park House & Gardens
Brentford. 0181 560 0881. House open Wednesday - Sunday 11.00am - 5.00pm April - September, Sunday 11.00am - 5.00pm April - December. Gardens open daily all year from 10.00am - 6.00pm or dusk.
18th century house with gardens designed by Capability Brown, set in 55 acres of parkland. Within the grounds are the Great Conservatory, the London Butterfly House, a miniature steam railway and an indoor adventure playground.
|Bushy Park
Nr. Hampton Court. 0181 979 1586. Open all year daily 6.30am - dusk. Admission free.
Second largest Royal Park in London, once part of the deer park at Hampton Court Palace. Areas to discover include ornamental waterworks and the waterhouse woodland gardens, as well as a model boating pool and a children's playground. Deer and other wildlife abound.
Sunbury Park Walled Garden
Thames Street, Sunbury on Thames. 01932 761775. Open April - September 8.00am - 8.00pm, October - March 8.00am - 4.30pm. Admission free.
See plants from all over the world in the former Victorian kitchen garden. Features include the Elizabethan Knot Garden, Victorian and modern rose gardens and a garden for the blind.
Polesden Lacey
Great Bookham. Office tel: 01372 453401, house tel: 01372 458203. House open Saturdays and Sundays in March 1.30pm - 4.30pm, Wednesday - Sunday from April 3 - end of October 1.30pm - 5.30pm. Gardens open daily all year 11.00am - 6.00pm or dusk.
