Evidence of civilisation dates back to the Stone Age but settlements remained primitive with people staying out of the Wealdon forest until the arrival of the Saxons. One of the most common place names is “fold", (e.g. Dunsfold, Chiddingfold), which in Saxon meant “an enclosure”. Cottages were inside the enclosure, which was big enough to also hold all the villagers' cattle overnight.

In the 12th Century ironstone was found in the region leading to the rise of the iron industry and related industries such as charcoal, which also thrived due to the abundance of timber available. By the 16th Century there were many ironworks in the area.

During the 17th Century wealthy Londoners fled from the Capital to escape the dangers of the Great Plague and many substantial houses were built.

This woodland garden was laid out in the early 1800’s and is now a mature flowering shrub garden of over 20 acres.

The garden is full of unusual and interesting plants which flourish under the canopy of oaks and larches. There is also an open air theatre and a summer sculpture exhibition.

A beautiful Wealdon house, rumored to be the oldest licensed pub in the country. A copy of the title deed hangs in the lounge.

Hascombe deer park

A herd of white fallow deer below Hascombe escarpement. Thought to have been introduced into Britain by the Normans, they have spread from deer forests into the surrounding countryside.

Dunsfold Church

Originally a Norman chapel stood here and there is evidence that pilgrims came to Dunsfold to visit the Holy Well.

The present church was largely completed between 1270 and 1290 and remains one of the few churches in the area that is virtually unchanged.

The nave pews are said to be the oldest in Britain with rough carved ends like a bull's horns with balls on the points. They survive with little change since they were first hewn for the original building by the local villagers.

Attractive pub in to centre of the village. Look out for the large oak tree, said to have a 20-foot girth.