Day: 24 July 2026

Epsom & Ewell Council explores future of Hook Road Arena

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council approves strategic priority to explore the future of Hook Road Arena.

At a meeting of the Full Council this week, Epsom & Ewell Borough Councillors approved a recommendation to establish a new strategic priority to assess Hook Road Arena’s suitability for a mixed-use leisure and residential development. The council has commissioned a Best Value Feasibility Study to explore the site’s development potential.

The council has used the Sports England (Active Environments) Consultancy Framework to select the consultant to carry out the study. The final report will be presented back to the Strategy and Resources Committee before 31 March 2027. This work is being funded by the previously agreed Corporate Projects Reserve: however, any subsequent decision to move ahead with development would need to be supported by a robust business case and be subject to approval by the new East Surrey authority.

surrey Epsom EwellCouncillor Hannah Dalton, Leader of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, said: “It is vital that residents and those who work in Epsom & Ewell have access to high-quality sports and recreation facilities close to where they live and work. Currently, this is not always the case, and some local sports teams must travel outside the borough to train and play, which can make it more difficult for people to take part. As part of their work, the consultant will engage with key stakeholders, including local sports groups, to consider how the site could meet their needs in the future.

We also recognise the need to deliver much-needed housing, including affordable homes

By making this a strategic priority, we can focus on exploring the potential of Hook Road Arena and assess whether a mixed-use development is financially viable. If the site proves viable, this work will provide the evidence needed to develop a robust business case that will inform a recommendation to the new East Surrey Council for consideration in 2027.”

The Hook Road Arena priority is added to the seven strategic priorities agreed by the Council in May 2025, replacing its Four-Year Plan in light of Local Government Reorganisation: Corporate plan and strategies | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council.

 

Celebrating 20 Years of Mayfield Lavender

Celebrating 20 Years of Mayfield Lavender: Reviving a Historic English Tradition

For centuries, lavender has been woven into the fabric of English history, playing an important role in medicine, fragrance, and local economies. Once synonymous with the Surrey countryside, vast fields of fragrant purple stretched across the region before gradually disappearing as urban development transformed the landscape. Thanks to the vision and dedication of Mayfield Lavender, that historic tradition has not only been preserved but beautifully revived.

This year marks a significant milestone as Mayfield Lavender celebrates 20 years of bringing English lavender back to life. What started as a passionate mission has grown into one of Surrey’s most loved visitor attractions, welcoming thousands of visitors every summer from across the UK and around the world.

From June through to August, the lavender fields burst into a spectacular sea of purple, offering visitors an unforgettable experience filled with colour, fragrance and tranquillity. Families, photographers, nature lovers and returning visitors come together each year to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, creating memories amongst one of England’s most iconic summer landscapes.

Lorna Maye, Mayfield Lavender As owner and farmer Lorna Maye explains:

“This season is particularly special for us as we celebrate 20 years of Mayfield Lavender. What began as a mission to make lavender relevant again has grown into something far greater, bringing both the plant and the area’s historical lavender-growing heritage back to life.”

The story of Mayfield Lavender began with Brendan Maye, whose career in the fragrance industry inspired the revival. During the 1990s and early 2000s, Brendan served as Managing Director of Wella UK’s fine fragrance division. At the time, Wella owned the historic English lavender brand Yardley, giving him a unique appreciation of lavender’s heritage and cultural importance. Recognising that Surrey’s once-famous lavender fields had almost vanished, he set out to restore them.

While Mitcham’s famous lavender fields had gradually disappeared throughout the 20th century, replaced by expanding urban development, Brendan’s vision helped rekindle English lavender cultivation. Today, Mayfield Lavender stands as a living reminder of the area’s rich agricultural history while creating a bright future for sustainable farming.

Sustainability has always been at the heart of everything Mayfield Lavender does. The farm proudly became the first organic lavender farm accredited by the Soil Association, reflecting its long-term commitment to environmentally responsible farming. Organic farming requires dedication and patience, with every weed removed by hand—a never-ending task that ensures the lavender and its essential oils remain free from agricultural chemicals and harmful residues.

This careful approach has also transformed the fields into a thriving haven for wildlife. Visitors will often spot butterflies dancing between the rows of lavender, alongside bumblebees, honey bees, pheasants and even a family of kestrels that has made the fields home for many years. The biodiversity found here is just as impressive as the breathtaking scenery itself.

The local landscape also plays an important role in producing exceptional lavender. The chalky Surrey soil combined with the region’s mild climate creates ideal growing conditions. Mayfield cultivates two varieties of Lavandula angustifolia (English lavender), Folgate and Maillette, together with the hybrid Lavandula x intermedia known as Grosso, each contributing its own distinctive fragrance and character.

What started from a camper van in a field with a gazebo, visitors can now enjoy Mayfield Lavender across two beautiful locations. The original Mayfield Lavender Farm in Banstead is the iconic site renowned for its sweeping purple fields and panoramic views, making it one of the UK’s most photographed lavender destinations.

Meanwhile, Mayfield Lavender Farm in Epsom offers visitors a different but equally enchanting experience. Home to The Secret Lavender Garden and The Glasshouse Café, it provides the perfect place to relax, enjoy seasonal refreshments and immerse yourself in the calming atmosphere that has become synonymous with the Mayfield Lavender name.

Twenty years after its journey began, Mayfield Lavender has achieved far more than simply growing lavender. It has revived an important piece of Surrey’s heritage, championed organic farming, created a sanctuary for wildlife and given countless visitors the opportunity to reconnect with nature.

As the fields bloom once again this summer, there’s no better time to celebrate two decades of passion, sustainability and dedication. Whether you’re visiting the stunning Banstead fields or exploring The Secret Garden and The Glasshouse Café in Epsom, Mayfield Lavender continues to prove that some traditions are truly worth preserving—and that the beauty of English lavender remains as timeless as ever. To Visit or For More Information On Mayfield Lavender Farm CLICK HERE