Jan 23 2023

Horsell Common

Scenic photo of a pond at Horsell Common, surround by heather and pine trees. The pond is looking especially lovely because the yellow flag iris are in flower.
Click Image to Enlarge

Horsell Common near Woking has a unique claim to fame, as the place H G Wells chose for a Martian invasion in his 1898 novel War of the Worlds! In reality, the shallow bowl of the famous Sand Pit, notorious as the site of the invasion, is a very special habitat and home to 1000s of insects! In the spring and summer, it’s a hotspot for solitary bees and wasps, including fascinating species like the Bee Wolf and Green-eyed Flower Bee. If you look out for them on a sunny day, around the banks of the Sand Pit, you’ll be reminded of the figure of speech “busy as a bee”!

A much-loved recreational space, Horsell Common is also part of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area, protected for its special heathland birds. Education Officer Michael has introduced many of you to his favourite bird, the Nightjar, on his popular Nightjar walks here. He calls the walks “Three Churrs for Horsell Common”, named after the curious churring sound these fascinating birds make in the twilight. To help the Nightjars, and other ground-nesting birds like Woodlarks and Dartford Warblers, and maintain Horsell Common as a protected area, it’s essential that we keep to main paths from March to September, especially in and around the open expanses of heather or grass. And it’s important to keep dogs under control and with you on the main paths, as birds that nest on the ground are easily scared off their nests. That’s why we say #PawsOnPathsPlease at this time of year. It’s not necessarily that dogs chase or even harm the birds, but if they’re repeatedly scared off, they’ll eventually abandon their nests. If in doubt, keep to the woodland areas, amongst the pine trees or use one of the alternative nearby walks we suggest below.

Please do help us spread the word, by keeping to the main paths from March to September we will protect the birds, and other wildlife, and help to preserve the special character of Horsell Common for future generations.

Good to know…

Find a free car park on Shores Road, Horsell, near Woking in Surrey GU21. What3Words: lied.tame.curvy.

Dogs are not required to be on leads, but please keep them close and with you on the paths. If you’re not sure of your recall, please keep them on a lead.

If you’re a regular dog walker and would like to try somewhere new, to help protect this fragile place, our top recommendations are Heather Farm off the A3046 Chobham Road (1.2 miles),  Woodham Common on Monument Road (0.3 miles) and Chobham Water Meadows in Chobham village (2.9 miles). Our ‘Greenspace on your doorstep’ pages have loads more options too.

If you’re interested in practical volunteering, Horsell Common Preservation Society run regular work parties and would love you to join them.

The common is owned and carefully managed by Horsell Common Preservation Society and queries can be directed to them via their Contact us page.

Horsell Common gallery…

Photo of a gorse bush with bright yellow flowers, and people walking dogs in the background.
Horsell Common is a much-loved place for a walk.
Photo of a pretty pond surrounded by birch trees and with Yellow Flag Iris in flower.
There are magical places to discover.
Photo of a shallow sandy bowl with a pine tree in the foreground.
Including the famous Horsell Common Sand Pit that H G Wells chose as the site of a Martian invasion in his 1898 novel War of the Worlds!
Photo of a large frozen pond that stretches across the sandy bowl of the Sand Pit.
The Sand Pit is a beautiful feature at anytime of year.
Photo of twisted roots of pine trees along a sandy bank.
In summer, its banks are home to 1000s of insects.
Photo of a wide expanse of heather.
Open areas, like this one, are very special. Woodlarks are nesting from March, Dartford Warblers and Stonechats from April and Nightjars are nesting May till September.

Photo of a small path that runs through an expanse of heather.
If you’re using the Common during the spring and summer, please pay extra attention and keep to the paths.
Photo of a small path leading through open heather and into the pine trees.
Please try to avoid small paths like this one that go through open areas where birds might be nesting.
Photo of a wide woodland path, running through pine trees.
Keeping to the wooded areas, amongst the pine trees, is a great way to ensure you’re not disturbing wildlife.
Photo of two black and white cows grazing.
If you visit the western end of the Common, you may encounter these nice beasts. They’re an important part of how the Common is managed.
Photo of a man standing beside a sign tied to a tree. The sign asks that we keep to main paths.
Here’s Warden Tim with one of the signs we display March – September, asking for everyone’s help.
Photo of a sign saying "Extreme risk of fire" and reminding everyone to be wildfire aware and call 999 if you see a fire.
You’ll also see the signs we’ve put up encouraging everyone to be wildfire aware. We don’t want another devastating fire this summer.

Photo of an expanse of rough grassland, with birch trees displaying the dark scars of previous fires.
You can still see the scars from past fires.
Photo of a pretty pond with Yellow Flag Iris in flower.
Thank you so much for reading. Enjoy your visits to Horsell Common at anytime of year. The Yellow Flag Iris look beautiful around the pond in May.

 

[Click on the images for the full size versions, and to see the captions for more information]

Thank you everyone 🙏

Sarah
Thames Basin Heaths Partnership

Pictorial messages for "Keep to main paths", "Prevent fires" and "Explore alternatives"

#PawsOnPathsPlease

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