Ashtead Rye Meadows Wetlands

In the last 15 years, the landowners and volunteers have been creating a wetland area alongside the Rye Brook. During that time they have planted a Jubilee Wood, reshaped river banks and created ponds and scrapes to encourage the biodiversity of the area. They have laid a hard surface on the two public footpaths to enable circular walks to take place without the need to cross muddy ground and also ensure buggies and pushchairs can be used. Other East/West paths are mown grass and could be too soft for wheelchairs. Volunteers have recently taken on a new skill of hedge laying on Footpath 24 and in two areas of Ashtead Woods Road.

We created a Centenary Field commemorating those Ashtead residents who fell in the Great War and constructed a wooden walkway to the ponds where there is seating. There is no wheelchair access to this walkway. The Meadows are a very pleasant walk along the Rye Brook. The story of the Rye Meadows and its restoration has been the subject of a book published in 2023: 'Restoring the Great Marsh'. The protected area also encourages many different birds, and this has been the subject of a booklet entitled "The Birds of Ashtead Rye Meadows" written by the late Peter Firth. Both books will be on sale. Cards taken.

Surrey Wildlife Trust have plans for the future in Centenary Field to widen the brook and re-establish meanders. We plan removing a willow root weir and remove a damaged brick culvert. The site will be open throughout the festival, but on Sunday 20th September ONLY, volunteers will be on hand to answer your questions about the site. Find out about how the work undertaken over 15 years has enhanced the wildlife and ecology. Learn about hedge laying and creating a wildflower meadow. Find out about our future plans working with Surrey Wildlife Trust who now own the meadows.

Timings

Sunday 20 September:

Meet the volunteers 1000 - 1600

Location & directions

1 Fairholme Crescent, Ashtead, Surrey, KT21 2HN

Directions:

For Heritage Open Days, Rye Meadows can be entered from three access points; Fairholme Crescent via Footpath 596, Preston Grove (KT21 2HG) and Ashtead Woods Road (KT21 2EQ). Parking is available near all sites on public roads but please park considerately to not inconvenience our neighbours. There is no public parking in Ashtead Woods Road. Dogs welcome but please keep under control and do not allow them into the pond and scrapes. Please pick up after your dogs. All field gates will be open from 10am until 4pm daily throughout the festival.

Contact on day:

David Baker

Telephone number:

+447802221898

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Wheelchair access on rough footpaths (24 and 596) and tarmac surfaces (Ashtead Woods Road). Not recommended for the east/west paths on mown grass. There is stepped access only to the wooden walkway in Centenary Field.

Additional information

This year the Meadows have been generously gifted to Surrey Wildlife Trust by the previous owners George and Daphne Burnett. SWT will be continuing with the original vision of Daphne Burnett to create a wildlife haven in Ashtead and establish a corridor between Ashtead Common and Leatherhead Common. They have plans for the Rye Brook and are an integral part of the "Rye to Good" scheme to improve the river by creating meanders, bypassing a willow root weir, reshape the banks and remove a derelict brick culvert in danger of collapse.

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