Get More Active Get Together – Priory Park Spring Walk and Wheel

As the days are getting longer and the spring flowers are beginning to bloom, we thought it was time to take our latest Get More Active Get Together out into the great outdoors!

We chose Priory Park in Reigate – it’s a great accessible location with lots of opportunities to experience nature, some interesting history and, of course, it has a good café!

We met under the arches outside Morrisons – there is plenty of blue badge parking and 2 hours of free parking here. There is also free blue badge parking in Bell Street Car Park but non blue badge parking is chargeable.

We set off into the park taking a left to head towards the Priory along Monks Walk. The Priory was originally founded as an Augustinian Priory in the 13^th century and following the dissolution of the monasteries in 1536 it was converted to a private residence for William Howard (1^st baron Howard of Effingham and half uncle to Catherine Howard, Henry VIII’s fifth wife!).

Lady Henry Somerset was one of the later private owners and she remodelled the grounds in the late 19^th century including introducing the 100m long formal Monks Walk. In post war years the walk had fallen into disrepair and, now under the ownership of Reigate and Banstead borough council, it was restored in 2007 as part of the wider Priory Park project.

In the centre of the walk there is a contemporary sun dial where our VI members explored the raised text.

We continued around the Priory gardens, learning about the history from placards around the grounds before heading back towards the café. The path here is firm and level and there are plenty of benches to rest as well as opportunities to take a shorter route depending on how you are feeling that day. Some members chose to stop here and went to the café for refreshments, the rest headed out along the Broadwalk towards the lake. Although it was a chilly day, we managed to stay dry and we could enjoy the birdsong and the spring flowers. Once we got to the lake the group split again with some members continued around the lake and some returning to the café. Around the lake the firm path continues although there are a few places on the far side where the edging has fallen away a bit so care might need to be taken. There were two swans building a nest so hopefully some cygnets on the way soon!

We regrouped in the café afterwards for a cuppa and to continue our conversations. All too soon it was time to head home but we all felt better for our time in the fresh air chatting to friends. If you’d like more information about walk and wheels in Priory Park please get in touch with Katy: katy.hubbard@surreycoalition.org.uk or 07434 865062