Surrey's National Nature Reserves
Updated 4 July 2025
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2025
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Ashtead Common
The site is a wooded common and contains woodland, areas dominated by bracken, scrub grassland, semi-improved neutral grassland and various aquatic habitats.
Main habitats: wood pasture
Area: 181 ha
Management: Ashtead Common is owned and managed by the Corporation of London.
Further information about Ashtead Common NNR, its wildlife and how to visit can be found on the City of London website.
Contact
City of London Corporation
Ashtead Estate Office
Woodfield Road
Ashtead
Surrey
KT21 2DU
City of London contact form
Telephone: 01372 279083
Emergency telephone: 01372 279488
Chobham Common
The NNR is an extensive open area of lowland heath.
Main habitats: lowland heath
Management: Chobam Common is owned by the Surrey County Council and managed by the Surrey Wildlife Trust.
Further information about the NNR, its wildlife and how to visit can be found on the Surrey Wildlife Trust’s Chobham Common webpage.
Contact
Countryside ranger: 01276 858013
Wealden Heaths
Wealden Heaths is part of the King’s Series of national nature reserves which marks the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.
It’s a connected suite of ecologically significant sites spanning the borders of Surrey, Hampshire, and West Sussex. Together, these sites form a landscape-scale mosaic of rare and diverse habitats – including lowland heathland, acid grassland, mire, open water, and woodland – supporting a wealth of priority species.
Designated for its exceptional biodiversity, the reserve provides vital breeding and foraging grounds for internationally important ground-nesting birds such as the nightjar, woodlark, and Dartford warbler. It is also one of the few areas in the UK to support all 6 native reptiles, alongside rare amphibians and a diverse assemblage of invertebrates and heathland flora.
The reserve is managed through a collaborative partnership involving conservation organisations, public bodies, and landowners. Many of its component areas are also designated as sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs), special protection areas (SPAs), or special areas of conservation (SACs), reflecting their significance at both national and international levels. These sites lie predominantly within the Surrey Hills National Landscape, who plays a key supporting role in the partnership, alongside the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The managing partners of the National Nature Reserve are:
- Natural England
- Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust
- Forestry England
- Hampton Estate
- National Trust
- Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
- Surrey County Council
- Surrey Wildlife Trust
- Waverley Borough Council
These organisations work together to conserve and enhance the reserve’s nationally and internationally important habitats and species.
Main habitats: lowland heath, acid grassland, mire, open water, woodland
Area: 2765 hectares
Bagmoor Common
Bagmoor Common is a designated site of special scientific interest (SSSI) and special protection area (SPA), known for its lowland heath and woodland habitats. It is a nationally important site for saproxylic invertebrates such as stag beetles. The site also supports breeding toads, dragonflies, and woodland butterflies including the white admiral and purple hairstreak. Part of the Elstead Group of Commons, it is subject to military byelaws.
Further information about the wildlife and how to visit can be found on the Surrey Wildlife Trust website
Contact: info@surreywt.org.uk
Black Down
Black Down, the highest point in the South Downs National Park, is a landscape of open heath, ancient woodland, and flower-rich meadows. The site supports internationally important heathland habitats and is managed to encourage biodiversity through traditional grazing practices.
Further information about the wildlife and how to visit can be found on the National Trust website
Contact: southdownswest@nationaltrust.org.uk
Blackheath Common
Blackheath Common spans 100 hectares of dry lowland heathland, acid grassland, and woodland. Situated on the Lower Greensand, it is designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) and is managed by Waverley Borough Council.
Further information about the wildlife and how to visit can be found on the Waverley Borough Council website
Contact: parksandcountryside@waverley.gov.uk
Blackmoor
Blackmoor covers 41.76 hectares within the Woolmer Forest SSSI and the Wealden Heaths Phase II special protection area. The site features a mosaic of dry and wet heath, acid grassland, and scrub, providing critical habitat for reptiles and amphibians.
Further information about the wildlife and how to visit can be found on the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation website
Contact: enquiries@arc-trust.org
Crooksbury Common
Crooksbury Common is a restored lowland dry heathland, formerly a conifer plantation. It supports all 6 native reptile species and the rare natterjack toad. The site is part of the Puttenham and Crooksbury Commons SSSI and is managed by the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust. It’s owned by Forestry England.
Further information about the wildlife and how to visit can be found on the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation website
Contact: enquiries@arc-trust.org
Crooksbury Hill
Crooksbury Hill offers panoramic views of the Surrey Hills and features a mix of woodland, grassland, and heathland. The site includes Soldier’s Ring, a scheduled monument dating to the late bronze age or early iron age.
Further information about the wildlife and how to visit can be found on the Surrey County Council website
Contact: countryside.estate@surreycc.gov.uk
Farnham Heath
Farnham Heath is a restored conifer plantation transformed into thriving lowland heathland. It supports nightjars, Dartford warblers, sand lizards, adders, and the endangered field cricket. The site is a model of successful habitat restoration.
Further information about the wildlife and how to visit can be found on the RSPB website
Contact: farnham.heath@rspb.org.uk
Frensham Great Pond
Frensham Great Pond and Common spans approximately 400 hectares and includes heathland, woodland, and open water. The site is designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), special protection area (SPA), and special area of conservation (SAC). It supports rare species such as sand lizards, Dartford warblers, and sundews.
Further information about the wildlife and how to visit can be found on the Waverley Borough Council website
Contact: parksandcountryside@waverley.gov.uk
Frensham Little Pond
Frensham Little Pond, created in the 13th century, is a haven for wildlife and part of a wider protected landscape. The site supports a variety of birds, dragonflies, and flowering plants, and is designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), special protection area (SPA), and special area of conservation (SAC). It’s managed by the National Trust and Waverley Borough Council.
Further information about the wildlife and how to visit can be found on the National Trust website
Contact: frensham@nationaltrust.org.uk
Hankley Gomez
Hankley Gomez is a small but ecologically significant reserve supporting all 6 native British reptile species. It is part of the Thursley, Hankley and Frensham Commons, a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), special protection area (SPA), and special area of conservation (SAC).
Further information about the wildlife and how to visit can be found on the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation website
Contact: enquiries@arc-trust.org
Hindhead Common and Devil’s Punch Bowl
This SSSI site features dramatic landscapes, including the Devil’s Punch Bowl and Gibbet Hill, Surrey’s second-highest point. The area supports heathland habitats and is home to ground-nesting birds and grazing Exmoor ponies.
Further information about the wildlife and how to visit can be found on the National Trust website
Contact: hindhead@nationaltrust.org.uk
Ludshott Common
Ludshott Common is one of the largest remaining heathlands in East Hampshire. It is a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) and special protection area (SPA), supporting rare birds, all 6 native reptiles, and invertebrates such as the silver-studded blue butterfly.
Further information about the wildlife and how to visit can be found on the National Trust website
Contact: selborneandludshott@nationaltrust.org.uk
Mare Hill
Mare Hill Common in Witley spans 40 hectares of heathland, woodland, and scrub. It supports rare birds, reptiles, and invertebrates, including the silver-studded blue butterfly and sand lizard.
Further information about the wildlife and how to visit can be found on the Waverley Borough Council website
Contact: parksandcountryside@waverley.gov.uk
Marley Common
Marley Common, once an army training ground, was restored through conservation grazing and woodland management. The site supports a diverse range of flora and fauna, including coppiced chestnut woodland and seasonal butterflies such as the brimstone.
Further information about the wildlife and how to visit can be found on the National Trust website
Contact: southdownswest@nationaltrust.org.uk
Puttenham Common
Puttenham Common comprises 180 hectares of priority habitats, including lowland heathland, acid grassland, fen, bog, and deciduous woodland. It forms part of the Puttenham and Crooksbury Commons SSSI. The site is owned and managed by Hampton Estate, with public access managed by Surrey County Council.
Further information about the wildlife and how to visit can be found on the Hampton Estate website
Contact: countryside.estate@surreycc.gov.uk
Rodborough Common
Rodborough Common is a heathland reserve with woodland and acid grassland. It supports reptiles, butterflies such as the silver-studded blue, and nationally scarce invertebrates.
Further information about the wildlife and how to visit can be found on the Surrey Wildlife Trust website
Contact: contact.centre@surreycc.gov.uk
Thundry Meadows
Thundry Meadows is a SSSI featuring ancient woodland, alder carr, and one of Surrey’s only quaking mires. It supports a wide range of species including basking reptiles, harvest mice, dragonflies, and reed beetles.
Further information about the wildlife and how to visit can be found on the Surrey Wildlife Trust website
Contact: info@surreywt.org.uk
Thursley
Thursley is now included within the extended Wealden Heaths national nature reserve, and is managed by Natural England, working in partnership across the wider Wealden Heaths NNR landscape.
Thursley is one of the largest remaining fragments of a once more extensive area of heathland in Surrey.
Main habitats: lowland heath, woodland
Area: 325 ha
Features of interest
Thursley holds extensive areas of open dry heathland, peat bogs, pine and deciduous woodlands. 20 species of dragonflies and damselflies live around the open ponds and ditches of the reserve. The areas of open water also support the bog raft spider.
In very wet areas, the sphagnum mosses that form the peat bog can be found. Early marsh orchids, bog asphodels, heath milkwort, cotton grass, sedges and rushes complete the rich flora.
The rare marsh clubmoss can be often seen on bare exposed peat alongside 3 different species of the carniverous plant, sundew
Birds include Dartford warblers, stone chats, long-tailed tits, gold crests, red starts, white throats and wheatears.
From The Moat car park, the Heath Trail guides visitors through the main features of the reserve’s landscapes and gives the chance to see some of the very special wildlife. The trail is approximately 2.25 miles (3.6km) in length. Allow at least 2 hours.
The trail also takes in parts of the extensive boardwalk network. With nearly a mile of boarding it gives access to otherwise inaccessible wetter parts of the reserve, and unrivalled views of the bog habitats and their rare wildlife. The boardwalk has sloped ramps for easier access with push chairs and buggies. Viewing platforms are also to be found here.
Thursley is one of the best sites for dragonflies in the country. The hour-long Dragonfly Nature Trail has a boardwalk, viewing areas and interpretation panels, including 3D etched panels for the visually impaired. The centrepiece of the walk is an eye-catching 1.2 x 1.6m sculpture of a dragonfly landing on a former electricity pylon.
There are several bridleways and foot paths which criss-cross the reserve. Some are of firm sand, others of soft sand. There are a few steep climbs.
Parts of the reserve have previously been used for military training. Don’t touch any suspicious objects but to report them to the police.
There is an information leaflet for this reserve.
Directions
The nearest train stations are at Milford, Haslemere and Witley.
A regular bus service runs from Godalming to Elstead.
The reserve is located to the south of Guildford in Surrey, lying between the villages of Elstead and Thursley.
Car parks are available south of Elstead on the Thursley Road (The Moat) and on the recreation ground in Thursley village.
The Greensand Way, a long-distance trail, runs very close to the NNR.
Volunteering
As part of the regular management of the reserve, volunteer groups carry out important tasks such as scrub control, heather mowing and burning, as well as maintaining the access infrastructure.
These groups meet on a regular basis, with tasks held most weeks and one Sunday a month.
If you are interested in helping, contact site staff on 01428 685675 or email: james.giles@naturalengland.org.uk
Contact
Email: james.giles@naturalengland.org.uk
Telephone: 01428 685675
Witley and Milford Commons
Witley and Milford Commons is a SSSI with extensive heathland and woodland. It supports a rich heathland flora and provides nesting habitat for nightjars and other heathland birds.
Further information about the wildlife and how to visit can be found on the National Trust website
Contact: witley@nationaltrust.org.uk
Witley Common
Witley Common is a notable example of dry lowland heathland and forms part of the Thursley, Hankley and Frensham Commons complex. It is designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), special protection area (SPA), and special area of conservation (SAC), due to its importance for rare heathland birds and reptiles.
The site includes heath, grassland, birch woodland, ponds, and hazel coppice. Reintroduced sand lizards and smooth snakes thrive here, alongside rare flora such as the small-flowered buttercup.
Further information about the wildlife and how to visit can be found on the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation website
Contact: enquiries@arc-trust.org