Reserves and species

Posted by surrey
2011-05-04 11:52

Crooksbury Hill

The view from the top of Crooksbury Hill is well worth the hike up to the summit! On a clear day there are stunning views over southwest Surrey and east Hampshire, across to the South Downs. Steep steps lead straight to the summit, or you could choose a more gentle path following the side of the hill.
The site has a mixture of woodland, open glades and heathland. The sandy soil suits a range of special plants, including heather and bilberry. This sand also makes for easy, mud-free walking.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Surrey Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.surreywildlifetrust.org
Size: 
18.11
Short Description: 
A woodland reserve with stunning views across southwest Surrey.
Smartphone Description: 
This reserve is a mixture of woodland, open glades and heathland, on a sandy soil. Most of the trees are relative youngsters but the patches of heather are reminders of what the hill used to look like. Plants such as bilberry and fungi like red and white spotted fly agaric can be seen. Common woodland birds include the long-tailed tit. Soldier's Ring is an old hill fort on the northern side of the hill, whose age is still debated.
Location
Address: 
Crooksbury Road
Town: 
Farnham
County: 
Surrey
Postcode: 
GU10 1RF
Grid ref: 
SU 878 459
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Yes
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Car parks off Crooksbury Road, Farnham
Walking information: 
The sandy soils make for easy, mud-free walking
Contact details
Reserve phone number: 
01483 795440
Reserve email address: 
info@surreywt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Crooksbury Hill
Best time to visit
Start: 
June
End: 
August
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by surrey
2011-05-04 11:52

Colekitchen Down

Located on the southern scarp of the North Downs, Colekitchen covers a valuable remnant of open unimproved chalk grassland. The surrounding areas of woodland and scrub, mostly outside the reserve, enhance the warm, sheltered aspect.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Surrey Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.surreywildlifetrust.org
Size: 
2.56
Short Description: 
This reserve consists of open unimproved chalk grassland with surrounding areas of woodland and scrub.
Smartphone Description: 
The rich flora supports a wide variety of butterfly species including chalkhill blue, adonis blue, small heath, brimstone, gatekeeper and marbled white. Additionally the insect community is diverse with many species of grasshopper, beetles and bugs.
Location
Address: 
Colekitchen Lane
Town: 
Gomshall
County: 
Surrey
Grid ref: 
TQ 084 488
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Contact details
Reserve phone number: 
01483 795440
Reserve email address: 
info@surreywt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Colekitchen Down
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
June
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by surrey
2011-05-04 11:52

Chobham Common

Chobham Common is the largest National Nature Reserve in the south-east of England and one of the finest remaining examples of lowland heath in the world.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Surrey Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.surreywildlifetrust.org
Size: 
574.30
Short Description: 
The largest National Nature Reserve in the south east of England.
Smartphone Description: 
This is one of the finest remaining examples of lowland heath in the world, and is recognised across Europe for its variety of bird life. Over 100 different species have been recorded here. Over 300 species of wildflower grow here. Chobham Common is also recognised as one of the best British sites for insects and spiders.
Location
Address: 
Staple Hill Rd
Town: 
Chobham
County: 
Surrey
Postcode: 
GU24 8TU
Grid ref: 
SU 971 647
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Yes
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Parking at Staple Hill (nearest postcode: GU24 8TU) & Roundabout car park at intersect of B383 & B386, Chobham
Walking information: 
A self-guided trail leaflet is available
Grazing animals: 
Cattle graze the open heath in summer
Contact details
Reserve phone number: 
01483 795440
Reserve email address: 
info@surreywt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Chobham Common
Best time to visit
Start: 
May
End: 
September
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by surrey
2011-05-04 11:52

Chitty's Common

Chitty's is a local community common, hidden between the houses of Rydes Hill. This green oasis is a wildlife magnet whose importance is far greater than it's apparent size.
The Common provides a rich mosaic of habitats (grassland, secondary and wet woodland on a former wood pasture site and a series of connecting ponds and ditches), which are valuable for many notable species of local and regional importance.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Surrey Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.surreywildlifetrust.org
Size: 
5.00
Short Description: 
Hidden between the houses of Rydes Hill, this green oasis is a wildlife magnet.
Smartphone Description: 
Chitty's is a local community common hidden between the houses of Rydes Hill. The common provides a rich mosaic of habitats that are valuable for many notable species of local and regional importance. Many species of butterfly can be seen here as well as small mammals, birds, bats, amphibians and invertebrates.
Location
Address: 
Rydes Hill
Town: 
Guildford
County: 
Surrey
Postcode: 
GU2 9UQ
Grid ref: 
SU 979 524
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Yes
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Access from Keens Lane or Rydes Hill Road
Contact details
Reserve phone number: 
01483 795440
Reserve email address: 
info@surreywt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Chitty's Common
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by surrey
2011-05-04 11:52

Chinthurst Hill

Chinthurst Hill is a quiet and peaceful spot with fine views from its summit. Here you'll find a stone folly built in the 1930’s, which is now a Grade II listed building. Even from the base of this impressive structure you'll encounter wonderful views across Guildford, the Chantries, St Martha's Hill and the North Downs.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Surrey Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.surreywildlifetrust.org
Size: 
17.00
Short Description: 
A quiet and peaceful spot with fine views from the summit.
Smartphone Description: 
Chinthurst Hill is a quiet and peaceful spot with fine views from its summit. There is a stone folly built in the 1930s, which is now a Grade II listed building. There are remnants of ancient oak with hazel/chestnut coppice woodland, plantations wood pasture. A fine display of bluebells can be seen on Chinthurst Hill in the spring. Bats may be seen hunting for insects at dusk. Pigs keep bracken and bramble in check on upper hillside.
Location
Address: 
Wonersh Common Road (B2128)
Town: 
Guildford
County: 
Surrey
Postcode: 
GU5 0PR
Grid ref: 
TQ 014 462
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Yes
Access info: 
The hill is very steep in places with several steps and wheelchair-friendly kissing gates
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Car park off B2128 Wonersh Common Road
Walking information: 
A self-guided trail leaflet is available to download. There is a way-marked circular trail which takes approximately 30-40 minutes to complete
Grazing animals: 
Pigs on upper hill within permanent and electric fences
Contact details
Reserve phone number: 
01483 795440
Reserve email address: 
info@surreywt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Chinthurst Hill
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
October
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by surrey
2011-05-04 11:52

Burner's Heath & Swallows Pond

A small reserve, consisting of a conifer plantation with some areas of broad leaved woodland, heathland and acid grassland.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Surrey Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.surreywildlifetrust.org
Size: 
4.63
Short Description: 
A small reserve, consisting of a conifer plantation with some areas of broad-leaved woodland, heathland and acid grassland.
Smartphone Description: 
A small reserve, consisting of a conifer plantation with some areas of broad leaved woodland, heathland and acid grassland.
Location
Address: 
Off A324
Town: 
Pirbright
County: 
Surrey
Postcode: 
GU24 0JN
Grid ref: 
SU 948 552
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Yes
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Open access off A324, south of car park on Pirbright Green
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Wilsher
Reserve phone number: 
01483 795440
Reserve email address: 
info@surreywt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Burners Heath & Swallows Pond
Best time to visit
Start: 
June
End: 
September
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by surrey
2011-05-04 11:52

Brookwood Lye

Just east of Brookwood, on the south side of Basingstoke Canal is Brookwood Lye, a large area of rare, unimproved, species-rich wet grassland traversed by ditches.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Surrey Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.surreywildlifetrust.org
Size: 
21.90
Short Description: 
A large area of rare, unimproved, species rich wet grassland, traversed by ditches.
Smartphone Description: 
This reserve consists of a large area of rare, unimproved, species-rich wet grassland traversed by ditches. In the north, wet alder carr, willow and oak occur, whilst in the south secondary broadleaved woodland occurs.
Location
Address: 
Off Hermitage Road
Town: 
Brookwood
County: 
Surrey
Postcode: 
GU24 0HD
Grid ref: 
SU 962 574
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Yes
Grazing animals: 
Cattle
Contact details
Reserve phone number: 
01483 795440
Reserve email address: 
info@surreywt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Brookwood Lye
Best time to visit
Start: 
June
End: 
October
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by surrey
2011-05-04 11:52

Brockham Limeworks

Brockham Limeworks lies within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its unique wildlife habitats.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Surrey Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.surreywildlifetrust.org
Size: 
45.00
Short Description: 
A chalk grassland reserve with some unique habitats.
Smartphone Description: 
An old chalk quarry lies within the centre of this grassland reserve. Digging ceased here after 1936 and since then the landscape has gradually been reclaimed by nature. Part of what was the quarry floor has become species rich chalk grassland, with many interesting plants. Many butterfly species are found on the site, the most notable being the silver spotted skipper.
Location
Address: 
On the North Downs Way between Reigate and Dorking
Town: 
Brockham
County: 
Surrey
Postcode: 
RH3 2AD
Grid ref: 
TQ 197 513
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Yes
Walking information: 
Access on foot by North Downs Way via The Coombe, Betchworth or via Chalk Pt Lane, off the A25. Some steep climbs, steps and surfaces, which can become slippery when wet.
Contact details
Reserve phone number: 
01483 795440
Reserve email address: 
info@surreywt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Brockham Limeworks
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
July
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by surrey
2011-05-04 11:52

Broadstreet, Backside & Rydes Commons

The diversity of these commons is a direct reflection of the range of uses the land had in the years after the First World War. Used as traditional foraging in parts, other areas were clear felled for timber, ploughed for wheat and potatoes, or left to be used for recreation by local people.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Surrey Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.surreywildlifetrust.org
Size: 
158.00
Short Description: 
These commons are a mixture of semi-mature birch and oak woodlands and poor acidic grassland.
Smartphone Description: 
The diversity of these commons is a direct reflection of the range of uses the land had in the years following the First World War. Used as traditional foraging in parts, other areas were clear-felled for timber, ploughed for crops or left for recreation. The present day landscape is a mixture of semi-mature birch and oak woodland, and poor acid grassland.
Location
Address: 
Off Oak Hill and Broad Street
Town: 
Guildford
County: 
Surrey
Grid ref: 
SU 963 507
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Yes
Walking information: 
Access on foot off Oak Hill & Broad Street, Guildford
Contact details
Reserve phone number: 
01483 795440
Reserve email address: 
info@surreywt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Broadstreet & Backside Commons
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by surrey
2011-05-04 11:52

Brentmoor Heath (inc. Folly Bog)

Brentmoor Heath occupies the north eastern corner of a very extensive block of lowland heath that includes the MoD lands: Colony Bog, Pirbright and Bisley Ranges, and the training areas of West End Common.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Surrey Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.surreywildlifetrust.org
Size: 
59.00
Short Description: 
A predominantly wet and dry heathland habitat with areas of woodland, acid grassland and ponds.
Smartphone Description: 
This reserve is predominantly wet and dry heath habitats, with areas of woodland, acid grassland, and ponds. The dry heath is dominated by ling and there is some scattered gorse. In the wet heath, areas of heath support the insectivorous sundews, cotton grass and white beak sedge.
Location
Address: 
Red Road
Town: 
West End, Woking
County: 
Surrey
Postcode: 
GU24 9PY
Grid ref: 
SU 936 612
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Yes
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Car parks off Red Road
Walking information: 
Access on foot via A322 & B311 near West End
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Ben Habgood
Reserve phone number: 
07891 850882
Reserve email address: 
info@surreywt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Brentmoor Heath
Best time to visit
Start: 
June
End: 
September
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve