Donkey Lane Plantation was planted in the first half of the 19th century with sweet chestnut trees. These have been subsequently “coppiced” – cut to the ground – on a regular cycle to provide sustainable timber since the 1980s.

There is also a pond which is home to 2 newt species, smooth (Lissotrition vulgaris), and more importantly Palmate (Lissotriton helveticus) which has one of the largest breeding populations in the country.

Text from Herpetologic Website

Opening Times:

Accessible at all times.

Features of the Park include:

• Site Area: 44acre (18 hectares)
• Site Type: Coppiced woodland
• Site Users: Public Access
• Path Length: 1.4km – Unsurfaced, 0.7km Cyclists and Horse Riders
• Parking: Dawn to dusk
• Access from The Drive in Warley, where there is a parking area, or from Hartswood Road.

Public Transport:

• Nearest Train Station: 1.5km (via Hartswood and Little Warley Common) from Thorndon North.
• Nearest Bus stop: 200m. Buses from Brentwood Town Centre run to Eagle Way, Warley
• Bus Number: First Thamesway – 73, 81, 951, 73A, 82