This mosaic of ancient broadleaved woodland, newer planting and rare chalk grassland sits high on the beautiful North Downs of East Surrey. Its stunning spring flowers, amazing variety of colourful butterflies in summer and rich autumn hues make the wood a wonderful place to visit throughout the year.

Wildlife and habitats

Animals

Spot some of the 25 species of butterfly that Marden Park supports, including the marbled white, purple emperor, white admiral, small blue, silver-spotted skipper and Camberwell beauty, as well as the striped wing grasshopper. If you visit in the evening or on a damp day, you may come across a Roman snail, an edible snail with a shell that can measure 5cm in diameter.

History of Marden Park

The woods were once part of Marden Park Manor. In the 17th century, the manor was purchased by Sir Robert Clayton, Whig MP and Lord Mayor of London, who created several plantations on the site. William Wilberforce, campaigner for the abolition of slavery, lived there for a time towards the end of the 18th century, and letters written by him bear the address.

The estate passed through several generations of the Clayton family until it was sold in 1907 to a wealthy stockbroker, Sir Walpole Lloyd Greenwell. In 1946 the mansion became the Convent of the Sacred Heart, a Catholic boarding school, but since 1985 it has been known as Woldingham School.

Archaeology

In 1888 the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment leased part of Marden Park to construct a rifle range. It was still in use in the 1930s, and probably during the Second World War. The remnants of the brickwork foundations of the ammunition huts can still be seen, as well as the target mound which is in an area of open grassland.

In the late 19th century, a deep tunnel was built to take the Croydon and East Grinstead railway line, opened in 1884, underneath the site. The circular brick air shaft for the railway can be seen near the car park.