Our local Nork Park was one of a select number nominated for the UK’s Favourite Park Award organised by Fields in Trust, a charity committed to protecting our open spaces by championing the value of parks and green spaces and protecting them for people to enjoy in perpetuity. It was established in 1925 and its current President is HRH The Duke of Cambridge. Voting has now closed, and the result should be available any day now.
For any residents that have not visited Nork Park recently here is a bit of background and a few pictures
Nork Park was originally the country estate of the Buckle family built around 1740. Later it became the home of the Colman mustard family.
The Colmans also built Great Burgh nearby which still exists as the headquarters of Toyota UK. Both properties were sold in 1925 but Nork House had no takers and was eventually demolished in 1937. During WWII it the park was requisitioned by The War Office and Nissen huts were erected for use by British and Canadian soldiers. After the war, these huts were used as temporary accommodation for council tenants but were also demolished as the tenants were relocated into prefab accommodation. In 1947 Banstead Urban District Council (now Reigate & Banstead Borough Council) bought the park for use as a public open space.
Today it is a lovely place to walk the dog, look at the views over London and simply relax in the countryside. It is the home of Burgh Heath Cricket Club and provides a number of football pitches for local use.
There are two children’s playgrounds, one at the top and one at the bottom where there is also a new outdoor gym.
And at the top of the park, by the Tattenham Way entrance is an excellent café. The Lodge Café opened four years ago and is a superb conversion of an old public toilet. It is a family-owned cafe serving tea, coffee, homemade cakes, soups, sandwiches and breakfast baps and ciabattas.
Nork Park is a great place for a relaxing walk in the countryside with views over London and a nice cup of coffee afterwards.