There are a variety of attractive parks and open spaces which are a must visit. They are all within easy reach of Leatherhead town centre, each with its own character and distinctiveness.
The Mansion Gardens
This small formal garden was once part of the mansion which now houses Leatherhead Library and Registry Office and is an attractive, quiet area close to the town centre overlooking the river. The islands in the river provide a valuable habitat for wildlife as part of the River Mole Local Nature Reserve. The far bank of the river has a riverside footpath that runs from the Town Bridge to Thorncroft Bridge, along the edge of the grounds of Leatherhead Leisure Centre.
King George V Garden
This small formal garden is close to the town centre. Most of the garden is held under covenant and is preserved in perpetuity as a memorial to King George V. Two heraldic panels flank the entrance steps opposite the Randalls Road junction, which has been complemented by public art.
Red House Grounds
This informal area was originally the garden of The Red House. The site is close to the town centre and provides a major footpath route between the railway station and the town. There’s a play area and trim trail, which is a green space suitable for all.
Recreation Grounds
The inclusive playground at Forty Foot Recreation Ground features a range of fun and inclusive features for children of all abilities to enjoy, including: a sensory garden and sandpit, trampoline, zip wire, lookout tower, talking tubes, double bay swing and visual aid panels. The bowling green is the home of Leatherhead Bowling Club, there’s a football pitch and an informal woodland area with a number of paths.
The imaginative children’s playground at Kingston Road Recreation Ground has a range of fun and inclusive features, including: a Pirates’ crow’s nest with slide, inclusive carousel, trampoline, zip wire, young explorers lookout tower, octopus see-saw and even its very own pirate’s parrots. There’s also a skate park, football pitch and pavilion, as well as a sensory garden and environmental area.
Emlyn Lane and Minchin Close – Riverside Area
A small riverside site which forms part of the River Mole Corridor Local Nature Reserve. Excellent views of Leatherhead’s bridges can be seen from here. It’s also a great spot for feeding the ducks and watching the swans and their cygnets paddle about with the Town Bridge and the railway bridges in the background.
Park Gardens
These picturesque ornamental gardens form the frontage to the parish church with extensive views to the Fetcham Downs and Norbury Park.
River Lane Open Space and Fetcham Splash
This area is the northern-most tip of the River Mole Corridor Local Nature Reserve. An island in the middle of the river can be accessed via a footbridge.
Teazle Wood
Teazle Wood covers an area of over 50 acres of land in North Leatherhead, by junction 9 of the M25. The Teazle Wood Trust was founded in 2015 by the Friends of Teazle Wood, who formed in 2011 to campaign to save Teazle Wood, 57 acres of woodland in Leatherhead, Surrey. The campaign was successful, and the Friends raised enough money in donations and loans to purchase the wood in 2012.
Nower Wood Educational Nature Reserve
A beautiful private educational nature reserve nestling in semi-ancient woodland. Nower Wood hosts Surrey Wildlife Trust’s flagship education centre for schools and adult learners.