Surrey

Gatton Park past and present walk

Take a relaxing stroll through the parkland of Gatton Park, designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, and enjoy a glimpse into its diverse history. With its serpentine lakes and islands of trees it's a special place to explore at any time of year, but particularly so in winter and during bluebell season.

Near to

Reigate Hill and Gatton Park

Start point

Wray Lane car park, grid ref: TQ26275233

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 2 (km: 3.2)

Duration1 hour

Dog friendly***

*Undulating terrain with some steep gradients. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Not suitable for wheelchairs as there are some steep slopes, and some pathways are very rough and full of stones.
***Well-controlled dogs are welcome. For further details, please see Facilities section.

Address
Reigate Hill, Wray Lane, Reigate, Surrey RH2 0HX
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Nearest stations, Reigate and Merstham, approximately 1 mile (1.6km) from Gatton Park.
On foot
The North Downs Way long distance path runs through Gatton Park.
By bus
Services 420 and 460 from Reigate and Redhill to Tadworth Epsom. Alight Sutton stop on A217, 200yds (183m) from start of walk.
Cycling
2 miles (3.2km) north of a Network route running through Reigate centre.
By road
Park at Wray Lane car park (National Trust) at the top of Reigate Hill, adjacent to M25 J8. No direct access to Wray Lane when approaching from Reigate. Need to approach from the other direction by going round the main J8 roundabout and turning left into Wray Lane.
Total stages: 9
Total stages: 9
Start point
Wray Lane car park, grid ref: TQ26275233
Stage 1
To enter Gatton Park use the path marked with the National Trust sign, located opposite the Wray Lane car park entrance. At the first Discover Gatton waymarker post, head down the gentle slope: the park's original carriage drive.
Stage 2
At the second post take the left fork in the track.
Stage 3
Very shortly after the second post you will find the third post situated above a viewpoint giving you a first glimpse of the historic parkland.
Enjoy the view over parkland at Gatton Park, Surrey | © Chris Worsley
Stage 4
Continue along the old carriage road to the fourth post, situated by a lone yew tree, and follow the arrow.
Stage 5
At the end of this section of track you will see Tower Lodge on your left marking another of the entrances into the park: it is made from Gatton stone. Turn right at the fifth post.
Stage 6
Keep an eye out for views across the parkland and, a little further on, the stone circle. Within a few minutes of leaving the stone circle you will find the sixth post, pointing you to the right, down the hill towards Hop Garden Pond and through the open parkland.
Stage 7
Once you've crossed the open parkland, you will re-enter the woodland fringe to post seven. Take a sharp right up the steep bank into Nut Wood. As you reach the top of this track you will be rewarded with perhaps the best view of the main lake over the tops of the trees bordering the serpentine. Once the track levels out, continue until you arrive at a junction of paths.
Stage 8
Take a right at this junction, past the highest point in the park. Continue, passing Wingate Hill which offers a last opportunity to look back on the parkland. This is also a good place to try and spot the spire of St Andrew's church nestling in the trees.
Stage 9
Turn right and head back to post three and the first viewpoint. At post three follow the arrow left taking you the short distance back to Wray Lane car park.
End point
Wray Lane car park, grid ref: TQ26275233
Trail map
Gatton Park past and present walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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