Gostrey Meadow improvements
Find out the latest on the Gostrey Meadow improvement project.
Find out the latest on the improvements which are being made at Gostrey Meadow.
Farnham Town Council is making improvements to Gostrey Meadow. Phase one is complete and included the opening of a new playground for younger people.
During phase two, we are building an amenity building which will include new public toilets and storage for all the equipment which is needed for the many events held at Gostrey Meadow.
There will also be more play equipment for pre-schoolers include a sensory Lions’ Den and a small water play area. This final stage of the project is expected to be completed in 2026.
About the new playground
The new playground design was chosen as the preferred option by 66% of the people who took part in our public consultation in February 2025.
The new playground includes:
- Inclusive play items that can be used by children of all abilities.
- Sensory planting
- Water play
- Brand new play equipment
- Seating
- Picnic tables
- A fully accessible surface which links the play equipment
- Shade from the sun provided by two large trees and a colourful tree bench
- Fun, colourful surface designs
- Multi-tower unit designed to resemble a mill local to Farnham
- Durable surface under the picnic benches
- High metal slide on the multi-tower unit
- Namaka spinner (carousel).
The playground design reflects Farnham’s heritage and natural features. The meandering blue footpath represents the River Wey, and the multi-tower unit resembles a mill local to Farnham.
Semi-mature trees have been planted and will provide welcome shade. These include strawberry tree and paper bark maple and a katsura, which has heart shaped leaves and smells of toffee apples in the autumn. The trees were chosen for their year-round interest.
How the playground was funded
Gostrey Meadow playground has been funded by Farnham Town Council using Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding along with additional generous contributions from Farnham Lions and Surrey County Councillors Andy MacLeod and Michaela Martin’s Community Fund allocation.
Why is there no sandpit?
Although very popular with children and parents / carers, the sand causes significant maintenance issues. It wears away the wetpour surface and gets into all the working parts of the other equipment causing parts to fail and need replacing. It is important that this new play area can look good and is safe to use for many years to come.
There needs to be more seating.
There are benches planned for the main area and when the new amenity building is completed there will be additional picnic tables with seating.
What provision is there for children with disabilities?
Having equipment that can be accessed by both non-disabled children and those with health conditions or special needs was a key component of the original brief. The roundabout, picnic tables, play panels, water play are accessible for wheelchair users and many of the other equipment is designed so that a wheelchair user can get up close to the equipment. In addition, the equipment will be spaced out so that wheelchairs and pushchairs can move around the site freely. In addition, a communications board will now be included.
There needs to be more shade.
In the new play area, there will be three new semi-mature trees planted that will provide shade in the summer months. In addition, the new amenity building (toilets and storage) has a curved design with an overhang to provide additional shade (subject to planning approval).
Can more water play be included such as a splash pad?
Splash pads are very popular although unfortunately they are very costly and have considerable ongoing maintenance costs. Budgets have allowed there to be some water play included with the addition of the Water Play Unit.
Can there be more equipment for older children?
The play area is designed for children aged 11 years old and under however, six of the play items do have more challenging items that will provide a balance between risk and creative play such as the Mill Unit, Nest Swing and Stand up Seesaw. Farnham Town Council is also looking at adding facilities for older children in other areas such as table tennis, a trim trail and outdoor gym equipment.
What about additional facilities such as toilets, cycle racks and buggy park?
Farnham Town Council is building a new amenity building with additional toilets and storage for events. Additions such as a buggy park and cycle parking will be considered as part of this project.
How to stay informed
If you would like to be kept informed about the project, please email