2 Common Field footpath

From Goulburn Green the nature trail continues along the path by North Down’s primary school which was built in 1871. The soils here overlie the Lower Greensand and are easier to work than the clay-rich soils further north.

Two hundred years ago, on 30 April 1815, following the ‘enclosure act’, Betchworth's ancient Common Fields were subdivided into private parcels. It was part of a sweeping transformation of the English countryside that reshaped communities and landscapes alike.

Today, the owner of this large field, the Hamilton Estate, is working to turn back the clock in a small but meaningful way, managing some of this land for nature. In sprig 2025 a 15m wide strip of land adjacent to the footpath was sown with a wildflower / bird feed seed mix.

In spring and summer the wildflowers attract bees and butterflies, in autumn and winter the seed heads attract birds especially the finches. Parts of the field are left fallow to encourage ground nesting skylarks to breed. Wildflowers that can be seen include- oxeye daisies, mallow, clover, birdsfoot trefoil, cornflower, poppy, cow parsley, hawks beard, sainfoin, red sorrel, rutabaga.

The footpath is bordered by a dense hedge of hawthorn, holly, beech and maple. In contrast to the open field, beyond the hedge are gardens containing mature trees, shrubs and lawns, and in some places scrub and ponds – a mosaic of wildlife habitats ideal for birds, small mammals and amphibians.

N. Downs School wildlife habitats garden

The common field path runs alongside N Downs primary school which is committed to outdoor education. In 2025, with the help of the 4Bs Biodiversity team, North Downs Primary School created their own wildlife habitats garden, to introduce children to the idea that different animals need different habitats to live.

The habitats garden contains - insect shelters, logery and brushwood pile, wormery, compost heap, mini pond, wildflower patch, gravel garden, hedgehog house, mature hedge and bird feeders.

June 2025