Broom Wood

Wood, Forest in Surrey

England

Broom Wood

The Harrow Inn, Old Farleigh Road, Farleigh, CR6 Credit: Philip Talmage

Broom Wood is a picturesque woodland located in Surrey, England. Covering an area of approximately 50 hectares, it forms part of the larger Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The wood is situated near the village of Betchworth, just south of the M25 motorway.

The woodland consists mainly of mixed broadleaf trees, such as oak, beech, and birch, creating a beautiful and diverse canopy. The forest floor is adorned with an array of wildflowers, including bluebells, wood anemones, and primroses, which bloom in vibrant colors during the spring months.

Broom Wood is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and walkers, offering a range of trails and paths that wind through the woodland. The tranquil atmosphere and natural beauty make it an ideal place for relaxation and birdwatching. Visitors may catch a glimpse of various bird species, including woodpeckers, buzzards, and tawny owls.

The wood also provides a habitat for a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and squirrels. It is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its ecological importance and the presence of rare species, such as the purple emperor butterfly.

In addition to its natural qualities, Broom Wood has historical significance. It was once part of the estate surrounding Betchworth Castle, a medieval fortification. Today, the castle's ruins can still be seen nearby, adding a touch of historical charm to the woodland.

Overall, Broom Wood is a captivating and cherished natural area in Surrey, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of the English countryside.

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Broom Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.334342/-0.045632957 or Grid Reference TQ3661. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The Harrow Inn, Old Farleigh Road, Farleigh, CR6

Philip Talmage

New housing development at Kingswood Lane, Hamsey Green, Surrey

More little boxes...

Dr Neil Clifton

Harrow Inn, Farleigh, Surrey

Stacey Harris

Limpsfield Road, Sanderstead

Stacey Harris

Harewood Gardens, Sanderstead

Stacey Harris

Limpsfield Road, Sanderstead

Stacey Harris

Holt Wood, Chelsham (2)

Plenty of oaks in this woodland.

Stephen Richards

A junior match at Farleigh Rovers FC

Farleigh Rovers are playing in their colours of red (claret) and black.

Robin Webster

Oakenshaw Close

A very new development off Kingswood Lane, shoe-horned into the space formerly occupied by two or three houses with rather large gardens.

Robin Webster

A study in brown

A lone walker crosses a ploughed field following footpath 587, or actually the straight line version customarily used - the legal line bends somewhat across the field for no obvious reason.

Robin Webster

Field opposite Great Farleigh Green

Great Farleigh Green is just north of Warlingham and west of the rather scattered hamlet of Farleigh. This field is near the south end of the green, on the opposite side of Old Farleigh Road.

Marathon

Field alongside Old Farleigh Road

Great Farleigh Green is just north of Warlingham and west of the rather scattered hamlet of Farleigh. This field is near the south end of the green, on the opposite side of Old Farleigh Road, which is beyond the belt of trees on the right.

Marathon

The Vanguard Way approaching Farleigh Church

Ian Nairn in 'The Buildings of England: Surrey' says of Farleigh - "Tiny hamlet on the North Downs, quite unspoilt - almost the most rural in Surrey. This extraordinary place is four miles from the centre of Croydon, eleven from the Isle of Dogs, and almost within sight of some of the worst sprawl in the country at New Addington." St Mary's Church is "as surprising a survival for Surrey as the village: Simple village-Norman, fairly gently restored, with new chancel arch and simple new bell-turret. All stuccoed, and not a window later than 1250. Nave and chancel c.1100." Basil Cracknell in 'A Portrait of Surrey' writes about Farleigh - "My favourite oasis is Farleigh, with its tiny Norman church of St Mary's, damaged badly by fire in 1964 but still standing, as it has stood for 850 years, the smallest and one of the oldest churches in Surrey." Farleigh resisted its incorporation into Greater London in the 1960s so fiercely that it won its case and stayed in Surrey. "The essence of Farleigh's claim was that it was not an oasis at all, since it did not lie within the desert but belonged to the green country beyond it. Farleigh they said was rural in character, had been rural for all its recorded history, and wanted to stay that way - and they won their case." St Mary's Church is just beyond the trees in the centre with the church car park on this side of the trees - see Link

Marathon

Farleigh Church seen from Greatpark Wood

Ian Nairn in 'The Buildings of England: Surrey' says of Farleigh - "Tiny hamlet on the North Downs, quite unspoilt - almost the most rural in Surrey. This extraordinary place is four miles from the centre of Croydon, eleven from the Isle of Dogs, and almost within sight of some of the worst sprawl in the country at New Addington." St Mary's Church is "as surprising a survival for Surrey as the village: Simple village-Norman, fairly gently restored, with new chancel arch and simple new bell-turret. All stuccoed, and not a window later than 1250. Nave and chancel c.1100." Basil Cracknell in 'A Portrait of Surrey' writes about Farleigh - "My favourite oasis is Farleigh, with its tiny Norman church of St Mary's, damaged badly by fire in 1964 but still standing, as it has stood for 850 years, the smallest and one of the oldest churches in Surrey." Farleigh resisted its incorporation into Greater London in the 1960s so fiercely that it won its case and stayed in Surrey. "The essence of Farleigh's claim was that it was not an oasis at all, since it did not lie within the desert but belonged to the green country beyond it. Farleigh they said was rural in character, had been rural for all its recorded history, and wanted to stay that way - and they won their case." St Mary's Church can just be seen above the trees in the centre with the church car park on this side of the trees beyond the horses - see Link The Vanguard Way is just the other side of the fence on the left - see Link

Marathon