A year long project has seen the magnificent transformation of a truly hidden gem on the North Downs.

For years, this ‘Capability’ Brown landscape, owned by the National Trust and the Royal Alexandra and Albert School, lay hidden and forgotten behind overgrown scrub and trees. However, last autumn after an extensive restoration project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, it was once again revealed in all its glory.

The project was a huge joint effort involving the National Trust, Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership, Natural England, the Royal Alexandra and Albert School, the Gatton Trust, Gatton Park Education Trust and the North Downs Way National Trail.

Part of the work involved reinstating the spectacular views across this magnificent rolling parkland. Trees such as beech, horse chestnut and oak were re-planted and key water features, introduced by Brown in the 18th-century, have also been restored. The most prominent of these is the ‘Hop Garden Pond’, which was de-silted and cleared of years of virtually impenetrable undergrowth.

Another important part of the project undertaken by the National Trust was the creation of a 2 mile waymarked trail around part of the park. The ‘Discover Gatton’ walk starts just opposite Wray Lane car park and takes you on an inspiring trip through this historic landscape. Leaflets containing a map and information can be obtained free of charge from the leaflet board in the car park, and the walk is waymarked by metal posts, which are bespoke replicas of the ornate ones that would have been used in the original parkland fencing.

National Trust Head Warden Marc Russell said: