The Trust will carefully balance this with its use as an amenity and recreation resource for Cranleigh and surrounding areas and develop close ties with the community by focusing on six key aspects – culture, education, heritage, recreation, ecology and wellbeing.
Links will be forged with local societies, groups, institutions and initiatives to ensure that all of the benefits and opportunities that the park can afford are realised.
Martin is Chairman of Knowle Park Trust. A professional photographer, Martin has a keen interest in ecology and community wellbeing. He’s also Event Director of Cranleigh parkrun which takes place in Knowle Park every Saturday morning. Martin is married with three children and two dogs.
Tim is a residential property surveyor and has worked in the Cranleigh area for over 30 years with Crowes Estate Agents and is well known in the village. Tim is very enthusiastic about the park and all the benefits it now brings to the Cranleigh Community. He believes that Knowle Park give the Village a unique recreational space that can be enjoyed by all who live in the area. Tim is a keen dog walker who loves the outdoors with two very active Labradors Harley and Dylan.
A Scot, Rosemary has lived in Cranleigh for 30 years. Her 43-year career was split equally between the retail/ retail supply sector and economic development/ business support. She was Chair of Cranleigh Arts Centre for 12 years and is currently President of Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce. She received an OBE in 2014 for services to women in business.
Rosemary said: “You will rarely see me in the ditches and weeding. As a Trustee, I bring considerable experience and understanding of good governance, policy setting, administration, organising board and operations meetings, strategy, budgeting, and generally reminding trustees of their fiduciary responsibilities. It really is a privilege to play a small part in one of the most wonderful green assets for many miles around.”
Originally from Bristol, she has called Cranleigh home for 40 years. Before raising two children, she worked as a Nursery Nurse (NNEB) in local schools and later spent 28 years as the Finance Director for the family business, Cranleigh-based Informed Choice Ltd.
For the past decade, Andy has been a dedicated volunteer with Cranleigh in Bloom, part of the team creating the Centenary Garden and contributing to the village’s entries into the South & South East in Bloom competition. Thanks to strong community engagement and her leadership, Cranleigh achieved numerous Gold awards.
Her creative contributions to the village include the beloved Pom Pom Tree, the Cranleigh Rocks initiative, and the transformation of a traditional phone box into a thriving Book Exchange.
Andy says: “I learnt about the benefits of volunteering and the ability to make a difference in Cranleigh by working with others. As a Trustee of Knowle Park, I lead volunteer sessions to keep everything looking its best and safe for visitors and wildlife. I’m never bored or lonely and often take time to sit and enjoy the surroundings. Knowle Park is all about community; I’m incredibly proud to be part of that.”
Wendy has a strong background in environmental land management and local community development. Her early career focused on land restoration and community environmental regeneration projects. Over the last 25 years, Wendy has supported local communities across the County of Surrey including initiating and founding the Community Foundation for Surrey, becoming its first Executive Director in 2005 and building significant local community funds.
In 2017 she became the Executive Director for Surrey Hills Enterprises, a Community Interest Company, supporting sustainable businesses in the Surrey Hills, before retiring in 2024. Wendy was awarded the Member of the British Empire in the Queen’s 2016 Birthday Honours for services to communities in Surrey.
Wendy said “ Knowle Park is an extraordinary achievement benefiting local communities and wildlife and I am proud to be part of the team”.
Grant is our Park Manager, responsible for the day-to-day management of the park. He’s the first point of contact for many of our park visitors, happy to help with any questions you have. Grant’s previous role was site manager of Cranleigh Showground, so he’s a familar face to many local visitors.
Knowle Park Country Park and Nature Reserve in Cranleigh is a treasured green space established through a vision of community and conservation.
The Knowle Park Trust was created after the landowners, Nick and Rowena Vrijland, decided to open up this beautiful land to the public.
When Waverley Borough Council requested potential housing sites, the adjacent land, once home to glasshouses for growing lettuce, was put forward as part of a proposal. With the glasshouses nearing the end of their productive life, the landowners suggested developing the site for housing and creating a public park.
The parkland, previously part of the Knowle Park Nursing Home estate, has historical significance. Local stories claim that Oliver Cromwell visited in 1657 and even stationed his troops here.
With outline planning granted in 2017, the Knowle Park Trust was formally established as a registered charity (no. 1176590) to manage and protect the park for future generations.
Knowle Park Trust holds the land in perpetuity, ensuring it remains a cherished community asset. The founding trustees, dedicated to safeguarding this strategic open space, aimed to create a lasting green sanctuary for residents. Their commitment has provided Cranleigh with a place where people and nature can thrive.
Knowle Park offers educational and event opportunities, aiming to balance its ecological goals with community use. Partnerships with Surrey Wildlife Trust, RoSPA, and various designers and architects have helped shape the park’s facilities, including playgrounds and public amenities.
Today, the park features a variety of facilities designed for recreation, nature, and community enjoyment. Essential amenities include a 60-space pay and display car park with accessible spaces and electric vehicle charging, plus overflow event parking for over 200 vehicles. Visitors can enjoy state-of-the-art public WCs, including Changing Places facilities and a spacious 4,200m² adventure play area for families.
The park is home to a scenic 3.5-acre wildlife lake with an island, a lakeside lawn, and a performance area. Coffee and ice cream kiosks provide refreshments, while ongoing enhancements to Littlemead Brook add to the park’s ecological appeal.
Upgraded footpaths allow for year-round exploration, with unique land features and a natural amphitheatre enriching the landscape.
Thoughtful planting of thousands of new trees, secure cycle parking, benches, and bins contribute to a welcoming space where nature and community flourish together.
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