Inventory Site Record

Land including Happy Valley, Devilsden Wood and Glebelands was purchased under the Green Belt scheme in 1937 as a link between Farthing Downs and Coulsdon Common. Parson’s Pightle Estate was added a little later, the whole being called Coulsdon Green Belt Lands. Between 1956-66 much of the site was leased to a local farmer for hay crops. When the lease terminated, large areas were cleared of the scrub that had grown up as a result of the hay being left as well as the decline of the rabbit population. In 1970 the name Happy Valley was adopted for the whole park.

Previous / Other name:

Coulsdon Green Belt Lands

Site location:

Coulsdon Road/Ditches Lane, Old Coulsdon

Postcode:

CR5 1BX

What 3 Words:

object.arrow.dairy

Type of site:

Public Open Land

Borough:

Croydon

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Nature trails, cross country course, horse rides, car parks, cafe, children’s playground (Ellis Road)

Events:

Public transport:

Rail: Coulsdon South then bus. Bus: 60

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Research updated:

09/05/2009

Last minor changes:

14/07/2022

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.croydon.gov.uk

Land including Happy Valley, Devilsden Wood and Glebelands was purchased under the Green Belt scheme in 1937 as a link between Farthing Downs and Coulsdon Common (q.v.). Parson’s Pightle Estate was added a little later, the whole being called Coulsdon Green Belt Lands. In 1970 the name Happy Valley was adopted for the whole area. Happy Valley Park is made up from downland grass and wooded slopes. The park is an important reserve for wildlife and nature trails have been devised to guide visitors and there is a Downlands Circular Walk. Significant recent achievements include the introduction of conservation grazing, a dormouse monitoring project, coppice management, hedge-laying and charcoal production. The site is served by several walking routes, including the London Loop and the Downlands Circular Walk, and several kilometres of high-quality horse rides.

Sources consulted:

Winterman, M A, Croydon's parks: an illustrated history (LB Croydon, 1988) p44; Croydon Parks and Open Spaces website.

Grid ref:

TQ309567 (531167,156915)

Size in hectares:

101.37

Site ownership:

LB Croydon

Site management:

Parks and Open Spaces

Date(s):

1937

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

None

On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

No

Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:

No

Local Authority Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

No

In Conservation Area:

No

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

Yes - Metropolitan Importance + SSSI

Green Belt:

Yes

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

Partly AP2