Bookham Commons comprise three ancient commons: Great Bookham, Little Bookham and Banks Common. All are part of the Saxon settlement of Bocham - 'the village by the beeches'.

The commons consist of grassland - wet, low-lying meadows, woodland, scrub and 12 ponds. The ponds are home to all three British species of newt, including the rare Great-Crested Newt. The five largest ponds are man-made, formed for fish-production in the 17th-century.

Great Bookham Common was bought by local residents in 1923 to save the oak woodlands, then given to the National Trust. Little Bookham Common was given to the Trust in 1924 by Mr H Willock-Pollen, then Banks Common in 1925 by Mr R Calburn. Further areas have been added through local appeal funds and bequests from individuals.

The London Natural History Society has been surveying Bookham Commons for over 50 years, making it one of the best recorded sites for wildlife in south east England.

Facilities

• Refreshments and lavatories in Great Bookham