Chobham Common National Nature Reserve

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Overview

At 1,400 acres, Chobham Common is the largest NNR in the southeast of England, and one of the best remaining examples of lowland heath in the world. Habitats include expanses of heather broken up by deep valley bogs, isolated pines, grassland and gorse. The numerous ponds are fringed by mixed broadleaved and pine woodland. Chobham Common is internationally recognised for its birdlife, with over 100 different recorded species. These include the very rare Dartford warbler, the hobby and the nightjar. Over 300 species of wildflower grow here, and the wetlands harbour insect-eating sundews and rare marsh gentians. In summer several species of native orchids can be found around the heathland edges. Frogs, toads, newts, adders, grass snakes, common and sand lizards, and slow worms are found here, plus 25 species of mammal, including foxes, deer and rare water voles. Chobham Common is also recognised as one of the best British sites for insects and spiders, including ladybirds, bees and wasps, and 29 species of butterfly, including the rare silver-studded blue. Over 20 species of dragonfly inhabit the heathland pools.

Location

Valley End

About the area

Surrey is one of England’s most wooded counties, with over a quarter of the landscape designated as an official AONB and plenty of history evident in the countryside. You’ll find sandy tracks, cottage gardens and welcoming village inns, and on the fringe of Greater London you can picnic in Chaldon’s hay meadows, explore the downs at Epsom, or drift idly beside the River Thames.