Description
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.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Coulsdon Green Belt Lands |
|---|---|
| Site location | Coulsdon Road/Ditches Lane, Old Coulsdon |
| Postcode | CR5 1BX |
| What3Words | ///object.arrow.dairy |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Croydon |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Nature trails, cross country course, horse rides, car parks, cafe, children’s playground (Ellis Road) |
| Public Transport | Rail: Coulsdon South then bus. Bus: 60 |
| Research Updated | 9 May 2009 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
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.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ309567 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 101.37 |
| Site Ownership | LB Croydon |
| Site Management | Parks and Open Spaces |
| Dates | 1937 |
| 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 | Croydon |
| 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 |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
Coulsdon Common includes ancient woodland, chalk grassland and remnants of heath, and has a central pond. Two Corporation of London coal posts mark the 1861 boundary of the London district for the purposes of the tax levied by the City on coal and wine brought into London. The tax, instigated in 1667 to pay for rebuilding after the Great Fire, was used for other purposes by the C19th, including payment for the Coulsdon Commons. A windmill or postmill was in operation on the common from 1777 -1898; its site is marked south of Stites Hall Road.
St John the Evangelist is the old parish church of Coulsdon, a village recorded from Saxon times. The present building is essentially late C13th with a C15th tower. The church is associated with the Byron family, and various family members are buried here. They were major landowners in Coulsdon since 1782 when Thomas Byron purchased Coulsdon Manor and the sub-manor of Hooley. In 1871 Edmund Byron, who had inherited the estate in 1862, provided land to extend the graveyard. It has subsequently been enlarged a number of times, and now has a garden of remembrance but is closed for burials. An ancient yew and a great chestnut tree were once found in the churchyard. The lych-gate dates from 1910.
Grange Park was formally part of 'Squire' Thomas Byron's Coulsdon Court Estate. In 1929 the land for the park was purchased partly by public subscription but largely by the UDC from the owners of Coulsdon Court Golf Course. It was sold for use as an open space or pleasure and recreation ground. The Village Memorial stands on the edge of the park and takes the form of a simple wayside cross.