Heathfield Estate lies at the top of Gravel Hill and was purchased and restored by Raymond Riesco. It was acquired by Croydon Council in 1964. The gardens are open to the public during the day throughout the year, while the orchard turned ecology centre is open on the first and third Sundays of each month.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Grounds of Heathfield House
Borough: Croydon
Grade: Borough Grade II
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 6.04 ha
Description
Wildlife
The site includes plantation broadleaved woodland and rhododendron walks, ornamental gardens, an old orchard and ponds, as well as areas of general shrubbery, scattered trees and semi-improved neutral and amenity grassland. The woodland is dominated by rhododendron and includes sweet chestnut, beech, and holly. The neutral grassland contains frequent creeping buttercup and is grazed by horses. Palmate newts, common frogs and common toads occur in the ponds and goldcrest can be found on site. The site also has habitat suitable for mammals such as bats and badgers.Facilities
Woodland walks; toilets; car park; café; ecology centre
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