Secret 100 acres just north of Epsom and Ewell

Motaed Manor Tolworth acres.

Despite being home to ancient hedgerows, a locally significant population of brown hairstreak
butterflies, and a small fragment of wetland, the series of seven meadows spanning 42 hectares (about 100 acres) at Tolworth Court Farm is far from reaching its ecological potential.

Citizen Zoo is working with Kingston Council and The Community Brain to change that! Our
shared vision is to establish a dynamic, mixed-mosaic nature reserve that nurtures a more
diverse and abundant wildlife population. We will restore and enhance the site’s ecological
balance while honouring its rich farming heritage through innovative rewilding measures
inspired by rural projects such as mixed grazing regimes.

Mixed-Grazing Scheme
Despite its size and location along the green corridor of the Hogsmill, the site is
underperforming in terms of the wildlife it supports. After 20 years of annual hay cuts that should
increase botanical diversity, the site’s plant communities have degraded since the last surveys
were conducted in 2003. Additionally, while the 1000+ insects and 40+ bird species recorded
sounds an impressive number, this is far below what a site of this should support. Indeed, a few
decades back the site was home to nationally rare ground-nesting birds such as skylarks and
lapwing, plus increasingly scarce bullfinches.

Adopting the mixed grazing methods of successful rewilding projects in rural areas, such as
Knepp and Wild Ken Hill, we are currently preparing the site for the re-introduction of livestock!

We will be introducing a small number of cattle and pigs, which through their varied grazing
behaviours, will improve plant diversity, aerate the soil, and create a diversity of habitats. This
will create a dynamic ecosystem within Kingston’s largest nature reserve helping to restore
ecological balance and create a healthier ecosystem for local species and people. With the
invaluable support of our dedicated volunteers and local students, we are clearing vegetation
around the perimeter of the site, and preparing to install a secure livestock fence. Once in place,
the cattle will be free to roam within the designated area. Each individual will be fitted with a
GPS tag, allowing us to monitor their movements and make adjustments if needed, ensuring
their welfare and the protection of the environment.

We are aware of the vital importance of the site in terms of local people’s access to green space
as well as its popularity among dog walkers. However, with the presence of cattle, it will be
increasingly important to keep dogs on leads. We will be using Sussex cattle, which will have
received training around the presence of humans and dogs, and also be individually selected for
their docile traits. This is a common breed for grazing in urban areas and means we can be
confident of no issues arising, however, as with other projects, we will ask dog walkers to keep
their dogs on leads within the enclosure as an extra precaution.

We are recruiting a dedicated team of ‘Wild Guardians’ to conduct checks on the livestock and
their welfare every day. If there are any issues flagged with the individuals or regarding their
safety on site we will respond immediately. Do get in touch if you would like to be a part of this
group. It will be a wonderful opportunity to get hands-on experience with a traditional breed, and
we would love to have you on board!

Wetland Restoration Project
Another key feature of the Wild Tolworth project is the restoration of a large wetland area in the
Great Meadow. Historically, the Hogsmill River flowed through the western corner of Tolworth
Court Farm Fields, which acted as a floodplain for the site stream The river was straightened
around the 1950s to reduce flooding in the area. This was a commonly used method of flood
reduction that counterintuitively passed the risk of flooding on further downstream, as the water
flows quicker from A to B. While we would like to have re-diverted the river back through the
site, due to electrical, sewage, and gas utilities on site, this was not possible. Instead, we will
mimic the flow of the river with an enhanced closed-system wetland. By restoring this important
feature, we will rejuvenate the ecological balance of the area, providing vital new habitats for
local wildlife while also reconnecting the site with its historical roots. This will increase the
presence of many bird species and amphibians on site. Additionally, by storing surface runoff
and slowing water entering the river, the wetland will help to prevent flooding downstream.
We will increase the accessibility of the site with a wheelchair-friendly boardwalk over the
wetland, offering everyone the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of Tolworth Court Farm
and experience this unique habitat up close.

This restoration project required us to gain planning permission from the council (as shown by
the green planning notice signs at the entrances to the site). There will be no buildings
constructed on site.

Work to Date
This project has been a long time in the making. Citizen Zoo, alongside Kingston Council and
the Community Brain, has coordinated comprehensive ecological surveying including engaging
with nationally recognised invertebrate experts and botanists. Further to this work, in
conjunction with the Field Studies Council and Biological Recording Company, we have run
over 10 Community Field Recorders Days, where volunteers can learn from species experts to
help survey the site and learn more about the incredible species that can be found within the
reserve. This has provided insight into the biodiversity of Tolworth Court Farm and informed the
changes that can be made to improve the health of the ecosystem and bring benefits to wildlife
and people.

We intend to begin work on our livestock fences and wetland restoration project in late 2024 to
early 2025.

Nature-Friendly Dog Walks
Tolworth Court Farm is a cherished local space, and we want everyone to feel informed and
involved. If you have any questions regarding the logistics of these changes please come along
to one of our Nature-Friendly Dog Walks on site. This provides a great opportunity to ask any
questions you have while we show you the vision for the site. You can find more information on
these on our website (citizenzoo.org) or our Eventbrite page!

Further Questions
If you are unable to make it to a dog walk but you have any questions regarding the logistics of
these changes please see our website by googling ‘Citizen Zoo Wild Tolworth’ for some FAQs
or email hello@citizenzoo.org.

Pia Trevelyan-Ashby