Improving the county council’s 10,000 acre countryside estate

New playgrounds, walking trails and upgraded visitor centres are among the significant improvements now being enjoyed across Surrey’s renowned countryside.

A range of facilities designed to support health and wellbeing initiatives and give residents more opportunities to connect with nature, has been delivered across the 10,000 acres of Surrey County Council owned countryside known as the ‘Countryside Estate’.

These enhancements reflect the commitment made in 2020 between Surrey County Council and Surrey Wildlife Trust to manage and maintain the visitor services, public access and conservation in a more cost-effective way and sustainable way.

Key improvements include:

• Upgraded car parks with improved layouts and enhanced safety features.
• Refurbished visitor centres at Newlands Corner and the Basingstoke Canal Centre in Mytchett.
• Over 75 miles of self-guided trails across 22 sites.
• New accessible paths at Newlands Corner, Norbury Park, and Staffhurst Wood.
• Expanded natural play areas supporting outdoor learning and family visits.
• Improved toilet facilities, including new compostable units at the Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre and Norbury Park.
• Exceptional volunteer contributions, with over 56,000 hours to support our conservation and access work.
• Two new public access sites—Tice’s Meadow and Grafton Stables—expanding green space provision and biodiversity benefits.
• New information boards providing clear maps, site details, and QR linked resources.

In addition, the improvements have seen a refreshed fleet of vehicles, including a sustainable electric waste collection vehicle, and log seating provided to over 75 schools to enhance their outdoor learning provision. Visitor confidence has also increased, with 80% of those surveyed saying they are navigating trails more easily.

Marisa Heath, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Environment said: “We have made some excellent achievements in the first five-years of taking back the management and maintenance of our 10,000-acre estate. There are so many health and wellbeing benefits of being outside and engaged with the great outdoors, so making it accessible and enjoyable for all has been a priority. It is also very important that we do what is right by nature as decisions we make now have a significant impact on the future of Surrey’s natural landscape and biodiversity.”

For out more about our improvements made to the countryside estate.