Parks and playgrounds directory

Happy Valley is an important reserve for all kinds of animal and plant life, including many rarities. Most of the site lies within the Farthing Downs and Happy Valley Site for Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature (SMNI).

Location

Old Coulsdon.

Area

252 1/2 acres 101.37 hectares.

Facilities

Opening times

• Woodland
• Meadows
• Nature trails
• Trim Trail
• Car parks
• Horse rides
• Children's playground in Ellis Road
• Disabled toilets are available at Farthing Downs (managed by the City of London)

Information and audio trail

You can follow the nature trail by listening to audio clips. Available in 4 languages:

• English
• French
• Hindi
• Polish

Contribution to Big Chalk

The Big Chalk programme aims to build a dynamic nature recovery network that will be central to the UK’s pledge to protect 30% of land and halt the decline of nature by 2030. 

Happy Valley is a proposed addition to the Surrey Hills National Landscape and there are plans to create a Green Community Hub on site. The ongoing management of the Happy Valley SSSI/NNR, coupled with meaningful engagement with a diverse range of visitors and local people, fits well with Big Chalk’s vision.

Find out more about Big Chalk.

Green flag award

This park has been awarded the Green Flag Award.  To find out more about the award visit greenflagaawards.org.uk.

History

Read about Happy Valley Park and its history (PDF, 58KB).