Headley Road, near Epsom and Ashtead, Surrey, KT18 6BZ

Langley Vale Centenary Wood

Broadleaf woodland

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6.5

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

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Cost

Peaceful

Feel

WoodlandHillsParklandWalkersHistory loversPhotographersFamilies

Why it's Wildland

6.5

A First World War living memorial spread across rolling North Downs: young woodland and open meadows frame sculptures, an orchard and tributes to those who served and died.

Langley Vale is more than a large planted wood: it combines pockets of ancient woodland and open meadow with a striking landscape of First World War memorials. The sculptures and tree avenues give a walk here a particular sense of place and remembrance.

Peaceful · Atmospheric

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Headley Road, near Epsom and Ashtead, Surrey, KT18 6BZ

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The experience

Choose the short Remembrance Way for the principal memorials, orchard and play area, or take the longer Downs View Trail for established woodland and views across the Downs. The paths, sculptures and planting make this a place to combine a walk with time to pause and read.

Things to do

Follow the Remembrance Way Trail

Take the shorter marked trail past the principal memorials, community orchard and play area.

About 35 minutes

Walk the Downs View Trail

Choose the longer marked route for the memorials, established woodland and views across the North Downs and Epsom Downs Racecourse. The visitor guide describes steeper sections.

About 1 hour 30 minutes

Find the Regiment of Trees and Witness

Look closely at the memorial sculptures: the Regiment of Trees commemorates the inspection of troops on Epsom Downs, while Witness incorporates First World War poetry.

Explore the orchard and insect hotel

Visit the community orchard, planted with apple, pear, cherry and plum trees, and look for its insect hotel.

Look for woodland and meadow life

Notice the changing habitat between young woodland and open meadow. The Woodland Trust describes the site as a mosaic of habitats with diverse wildlife and flora.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · About 35 minutes

Quick memorial walk

01
Follow the Remembrance Way Trail.
02
Pause at the principal memorial sculptures and the community orchard.
03
Return by the marked trail.

Half day · About 1 hour 30 minutes

Downs View and memorials

01
Follow the Downs View Trail, which includes the main memorial features.
02
Continue through established woodland and take in the views across the North Downs and Epsom Downs Racecourse.
03
Allow time at the orchard and memorials; use the Woodland Trust walking map to check the route.

Verified history

Langley Vale is England’s First World War Centenary Wood, created as a living memorial. The Woodland Trust says communities helped plant tens of thousands of trees as part of a wider project commemorating lives lost and affected by the war. The memorial landscape also recalls military training on Epsom Downs: a supplied visitor account describes Tadworth Camp, where recruits learned soldiering. Memorial features include the Regiment of Trees and the Jutland commemorations.

Hidden details

Poetry within Witness — The large oak sculpture Witness incorporates extracts from First World War poems. Take time to look for the carved words as well as the overall form.

The community orchard’s insect hotel — Among the fruit trees in the community orchard, look for the insect hotel noted by a visitor account.

When to go

April · May · June · October · Choose a clear morning or afternoon for the trails and views. If walking across Epsom Downs, account for racehorse training before midday.

The Woodland Trust highlights spring flowers and autumn colour. Spring and summer also suit exploring the open meadows and young woodland.

The supplied visitor guide notes that paths around Walton Downs can be muddy. Check conditions before visiting and take care on steeper sections.

The route

surface: Grassy and woodland paths; the visitor guide describes the Remembrance Way as firm and fairly flat, with some muddy areas around Walton Downs.
distance: Remembrance Way Trail: 3.1 km; Downs View Trail: 4.5 km
duration: About 35 minutes for Remembrance Way; about 1 hour 30 minutes for Downs View
difficulty: Remembrance Way is described as easy; Downs View has steeper sections.
waymarking: The visitor guide describes orange marker posts for Remembrance Way and blue marker posts for Downs View. Check the current map and signs.
start point: Langley Vale Wood car park is identified by the Woodland Trust as an access point; confirm the route start and current access information before travelling.
parking start: The Woodland Trust gives the car park entrance from Headley Road and postcode KT18 6BZ. Charges and current arrangements: Check before visiting.
shorter alternative: The 3.1 km Remembrance Way Trail is the shorter of the two described trails.

Memorial sculptures
Community orchard and play area
Established woodland
Views across the North Downs and Epsom Downs Racecourse

What to look for

Look for the Regiment of Trees, Witness, the Jutland memorial features, the community orchard and its insect hotel, and the contrast between open meadows and young and established woodland.

The story

First World War commemoration; Tadworth Camp and military training on Epsom Downs

Best time to go

Spring to early summer for flowers and fresh growth; autumn for colour.

Spring and early summer bring fresh woodland growth and seasonal flowers; autumn is noted for colour. If approaching across Epsom Downs, be aware that racehorse training takes place each morning until midday.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · History lovers · Photographers · Families

Before you go

Website Google Maps

Address

Headley Rd, Ashtead, Epsom KT18 6BZ

Phone

+44 1476 581111

Website

woodlandtrust.org.uk

Listed hours

Monday: 7am-5pm
Tuesday: 7am-5pm
Wednesday: 7am-5pm
Thursday: 7am-5pm
Friday: 7am-5pm
Saturday: 7am-5pm
Sunday: 7am-5pm

Check before visiting.

Google rating

4.5 · 133 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

The Woodland Trust lists public access via the car park and public rights of way. Follow its recommended routes when approaching across Epsom Downs; racehorse training takes place there each morning until midday. Check current access details before visiting.

Check before visiting

Parking

The Woodland Trust identifies a car park entrance from Headley Road and gives postcode KT18 6BZ. Parking charges and current arrangements: Check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

No café information verified. Check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Dogs

Check current Woodland Trust guidance and on-site signs. A supplied visitor guide reports lead requirements in areas of the wood.

Check before visiting

Accessibility

The Woodland Trust source reports public access but does not establish that the site is wheelchair accessible. A visitor guide describes the Remembrance Way as firm and fairly flat, and the Downs View Trail as having steeper sections; check current path conditions before setting out.

Check before visiting

Cost

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