Betchworth & Buckland Nature Trail
2 Common Field foot path
From Goulburn Green the nature trail continues along the path by North Down’s primary school built in 1871 adjacent to the large Common Field. 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.
In 2025, with the help of the 4Bs Biodiversity team, North Downs Primary School created their own wildlife habitats garden, to show how they too can make a positive difference to wildlife.
Full list of wildflower species to be added.
June 2025
