Farming in the Surrey Hills
Norbury Park is a 1,340-acre estate managed by Surrey County Council, encompassing ancient woodland, chalk grassland and a working farm on the slopes between Mickleham and Leatherhead. The farm shop occupies a converted barn on the estate and sells beef and lamb reared on the park’s own pastures, alongside seasonal vegetables, eggs, dairy – notably Norbury Blue, Surrey’s only artisan cheese – and a curated selection of goods from other local producers. The setting is exceptional – the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is all around, and many customers combine a shop with a walk through the estate’s network of footpaths.
A Conservation Story
What makes Norbury Park Farm Shop distinctive is its direct link to the conservation management of the estate. The cattle and sheep that graze the chalk downland are there partly to maintain the biodiversity of the grassland, and buying their meat from the farm shop closes a virtuous circle: customers enjoy high-quality, pasture-fed produce while supporting the ecological health of one of Surrey’s most important landscapes. The shop is modestly sized, and opening hours are limited, so it pays to check before visiting – but the quality of the meat and the beauty of the surroundings make it well worth the effort.
