Discover Charlwood: Cultural History and Nature

Charlwood offers a range of themes, from church art and architectural history to aviation and nature. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing historical information from specific visiting arrangements: at Lowfield Heath Windmill, access to the grounds and regular opening days are not the same thing, and temporary changes may affect a waymarked trail.

Church Art and Architectural History

St Nicholas' Church is a Grade I listed building. Its north aisle and the base of its tower are considered the oldest parts of the church; they were built around 1080. Murals on the south wall tell, among other stories, those of St Margaret, St Nicholas, and the Three Living and the Three Dead. They are thought to date from around 1300. Different periods are therefore represented side by side: the approximate dates refer to older structural features on the one hand and the later murals on the other.

A change of location shapes the history of the wooden Providence Chapel: in 1815, it was moved to Charlwood by horse-drawn wagons and opened as a Nonconformist chapel. The building is Grade II* listed. Alongside the church's architectural history, the chapel offers a different historical perspective, encompassing its wooden construction, relocation and opening as a chapel.

Windmill History and Visiting

Lowfield Heath Windmill was originally built in Lowfield Heath in 1737/8 and removed from its original site in 1987. Its history also includes extensive restoration. Its construction, removal from its original site and restoration are three distinct aspects of its history.

The windmill grounds are open to visitors year-round. On regular opening days, self-guided tours are available and the machinery inside is on display. The Roundhouse contains exhibitions about the windmill's history. The grounds being open year-round is distinct from the regular opening days for tours and visits inside. Check the opening days and visiting arrangements before your trip so you can include these offerings in your plans.

Aviation and Nature

The Gatwick Aviation Museum has a unique collection of aircraft and engines from the golden age of British aircraft manufacturing. This adds a perspective on historic aircraft and engines to the church and architectural themes.

A waymarked trail starts in Glover's Wood, at the public footpath access at the end of Glover's Road. Before setting out, check whether any temporary changes to the trail should be taken into account. Sphagnum Pond is also in the same wood. The pond provides a habitat for the rare species elongated sedge and is one of only two known sites in Surrey with this habitat. The trail has a named access point; at the pond, the rare habitat is the main feature. This places a practical trail-planning reference point alongside a distinct nature topic.

Your trip can therefore focus on a range of themes: church art and architectural history, the history of a windmill, aviation technology or nature. For visits to the windmill, opening days and visiting arrangements are relevant; for the trail in Glover's Wood, you should take possible changes into account.

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For the main travel overview: Surrey.