Breathing New Life into East Surrey Hospital: A New Woodland Takes Root
We’re proud to announce the recent completion of a transformative woodland planting project on the Northern edge of East Surrey Hospital — a 6.5-hectare site that’s set to become a lasting green asset for the local community, hospital staff, patients, and wildlife alike. Earlier this year, we were approached by the NHS Trust team with a clear brief: to create new, accessible woodland spaces where people could walk, reflect, and find a bit of calm. The Trust wanted a natural setting that would improve biodiversity and environmental health while supporting wellbeing — for those receiving care and for the people delivering it. This brief resonated with us. As a woodland management company, we understand the importance of designing woodland not just for trees and wildlife, but for people too.
Planting with Purpose
Over the past few weeks, our team planted around 9,000 native and naturalised broadleaf trees and shrubs, carefully chosen to create a robust, diverse woodland. We planted a total of 19 different species, creating a rich mosaic of habitats that will support a wide range of wildlife as the woodland matures. Among the mix were the usual suspects — English oak, hornbeam, wild cherry, crab apple, field maple — alongside more exotic species like red oak, adding variety and longer-term resilience to the future canopy. To build well-structured woodland edges and encourage natural transitions between open and wooded areas (known as ecotones), we included a strong mix of shrubs such as dogwood, wild privet, guelder rose and spindle. These species provide critical shelter and food sources for birds, insects, and small mammals — as well as seasonal colour and structure.
Designed for Nature — and for People
The woodland was planted on a former golf driving range between the hospital’s staff car park and Earlswood. It’s a space that previously lacked structure and ecological value but is now being evolved into a fantastic green space.
We worked to preserve existing natural features including established hedgerows, self-seeded trees, and natural watercourses. The new winding trails we’ve laid out follow ‘desire lines’ — the informal paths already used by people walking the site — and include hard-surfaced tracks to make sure the woodland remains accessible year-round.
The woodland design deliberately connects to existing ancient woodland on the far side of the hospital, helping create a larger, more continuous green corridor for wildlife. It’s a strategy that boosts habitat connectivity — essential for species that need larger, joined-up landscapes to thrive.
Built to Last
This project isn’t a one-and-done planting exercise; it is backed by a 15-year maintenance and management plan, funded by the Forestry Commission, to ensure the woodland has the best possible chance of success. We’ll be returning to carry out a full ‘beat-up’ survey this autumn, identifying any saplings that haven’t made it through their first season and replacing them where needed. All works have been carried out in line with the UK Forestry Standard and Forestry Commission guidance, meaning the new woodland meets high environmental standards and will mature into a sustainable, resilient ecosystem.
More Than Just Trees
The benefits of this new woodland stretch far beyond biodiversity and ecology. Studies have long shown the positive impact that green spaces have on human health — from reducing stress to speeding up recovery. With this in mind, we designed a space that feels welcoming, peaceful, and restorative — for NHS staff on a break, patients recovering from treatment, or local residents walking their woofers. The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Local residents have expressed genuine excitement about the transformation of the site — and we’ve been encouraged by the level of support and interest from the public throughout the process.
To everyone who’s supported this project — thank you. Here’s to green spaces that heal, inspire, and last.
Wessex Woodland Management – Managing trees, planting futures.
