Langley Vale Wood

Wildlife and habitats

Wildlife

The mixed habitats at Langley Vale Wood are a haven for local wildlife. Look out for signs of badgers, and keep your eyes peeled at dusk when you might spot one of the five species of bat recorded at the site.

Enjoy the chorus of birdsong – 59 species have been recorded at the wood including many on the Red List of species at risk, such as the cuckoo and ground-nesting birds such as lapwing and skylark.

To protect wildlife and habitat, the majority of Langley Vale Wood is a dogs-on-leads zone – please stick to the paths and keep dogs on leads in these areas. In particular, please keep dogs on short leads between March and July to protect vulnerable ground-nesting birds.

Trees, plants and fungi

The site’s existing woods are largely ancient semi-natural woodland. The three biggest - Great Hurst Wood, Little Hurst Wood and Downs View Wood - are designated Sites of Nature Conservation Importance. Please stick to paths and keep dogs on leads in these areas. In total, 380 species have been recorded in Langley Vale Wood, including 37 ancient woodland indicators.

Great Hurst Wood, Little Hurst Woods and Downs View Wood are ancient woodland with ash, oak, beech and sweet chestnut trees, and Great Hurst Wood has an excellent bluebell display in spring.

Round Wood is mainly hazel coppice and elder with a rich ground flora, including early purple orchids which grow by the paths. Gillettes Wood is mainly ash, cherry and oak.

Langley Vale Wood is home to a wide range of rare arable plant species which are of national and international importance. Some of the species found include red hemp-nettle, night-flowering catchfly and ground pine.

Habitats

The mix of ancient woodland, grassland and woodland creation at Langley Vale Wood supports a vast range of locally and nationally rare flora and fauna. The woodland is part of the North Downs National Character Area (NCA), a chain of chalk hills across the south-east. Chalk grassland is a notable feature of this landscape and is of ecological importance due to its ability to support rare species.

About Langley Vale Wood

History

There has been a farm at Langley Vale since the early thirteenth century. It’s likely that the small farming settlement was destroyed by the Black Death in the fourteenth century as it disappeared from records around this time. Later maps show that part of the site was used as arable land from the mid-18th century.

During the First World War, the Walton and Tadworth end of the site was used for army training and there were trenches, a rifle range, a gas training school and a camp.

Artwork across the site tells local stories of the war effort and commemorates those who sacrificed so much during the First World War.

The Regiment of Trees by Patrick Walls

Commemorating Lord Kitchener’s inspection of troops on Epsom Downs in January 1915, 12 figures stand among a mix of native broadleaf trees, evoking stories of the harsh blizzard conditions in which the 20,000 volunteer soldiers waited for Kitchener’s arrival, some not even fully kitted out. Together, the sculptures and trees create a living tribute to the civilian men who answered the call to join Kitchener’s New Army.

Witness by John Merrill

Inspired by the paintings of official war artist Paul Nash and carved with words by seven poets from the period, this memorial feature creates a space for contemplation. Witness is constructed from around 35 pieces of oak and stands over six metres tall.

Excerpts from the following poems are carved inside the sculpture:

• Matthew Copse by John William Streets (1883-1916)
• Lights Out by Edward Thomas (1878–1917)
• Afterwards by Margaret Postgate Cole (1893–1980)
• May, 1915 by Charlotte Mew (1869-1928)
• The Gift of India by Sarojini Naidu (1879-1949)
• Futility by Wilfred Owen (1893–1918)
• Grodec by Georg Trakl (1887-1914).

Jutland Wood

Commemorating the Battle of Jutland (31 May – 1 June 1916), this wood pays tribute to one of the most important naval battles of the First World War.

A striking steel figure by sculptor Christine Charlesworth depicts, on one side, a sailor in 1916 naval uniform. This side looks to the past – the ancient woodland standing when those sailors were alive. On the other side, a sailor in 2016 uniform contemplates the future – the newly planted trees.

Craftsman Andrew Lapthorn created 14 oak porthole markers, honouring each of the British warships sunk in battle and those aboard. Inviting rest and contemplation, two bespoke benches, also made by Andrew, are located within the ship-shaped clearing.

Things to do at Langley Vale Wood

Sculptures and the First World War

Take in the history of the site and enjoy the beauty of the sculptures which commemorate those who sacrificed so much in the First World War.

Explore Cherry Avenue and learn about how local people got involved in the war effort.

In November you can join our annual Month of Remembrance - share your own reflections at the willow wreath sculpture in tranquil surroundings.

Picnic

Visit our interactive picnic tables in the Sainsbury’s Community Orchard. There are no bins on site so please take rubbish home with you.

Walks

With lots of routes for varying abilities, venturing out on foot is a great way to explore. Follow the two way-marked trails on site - download the map below.

Don’t forget to keep dogs on leads on your visit.

Poppy play area

In our poppy play area, children can run wild and connect with nature. Built with sustainable materials, this vibrant space was designed with the landscape in mind. Clamber up the tower, wiggle through the tunnel and study treasures found in the wood with a magnifying post at the nature table. Poppy play area is located opposite the community orchard, a short walk from the car park, as seen on the Langley Vale Wood walking map which can be downloaded below.