Bookham Commons

Ancient commons, mentioned in the Domesday Book, with grassland plains, mighty oak woods and serene ponds

More about this place

Family enjoying a walk on the heathland

What you need to know when visiting the Surrey Hills 

Welcome to fresh air and open spaces. Our countryside sites in the Surrey Hills are open to visit in line with government guidance. Click here to find out what to expect on your visit.

A cyclist on bike in front of a view of Surrey Hills

Events in the Surrey Hills

If you would like to host an event on National Trust land, or your sporting event includes routes on National Trust land, please email us at: surreyhills@nationaltrust.org.uk. Please contact us at least eight weeks before the event date. We know how important events are to organisers and participants. Please help us ensure events are safe and legal for both participants and our visitors.

Dog walking at Dunstable Downs Bedfordshire

Visiting the Surrey Hills with your dog 

Take some time to explore heathland and woodland on an invigorating walk with your dog in the Surrey Hills. Take a look at our tips for a safe stroll with your four-legged friend.

Pond at Bookham Commons Surrey

Things to see and do at Bookham Commons 

Get closer to nature and enjoy a day in the great outdoors. From little walks to bigger trails, cycling to horse riding paths, there's something for everyone at Bookham Commons.

A skylark at Bookham Commons

Birds on Bookham Commons 

Visit the commons at any time of the year and you'll see and hear many of our favourite woodland birds and spot a variety of waterfowl on the ponds.

Family in the woods

Bookham Commons activity trail  

Explore Bookham Commons with this easy stroll through the woods

Lapwing standing in the grass

Help protect our ground nesting birds 

Not all our birds like to build their nests safely high up in the trees. Discover more about our ground-nesting birds and how you can help us protect them from harm. Please help us to protect these birds by sticking to the paths and keeping your dog on a lead and close to you from 1 March to 31 July.

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Bookham Commons

Wildlife

Pond at Bookham Commons
Silver washed fritillary butterfly
Oak Processionary Moth caterpillar
A skylark at Bookham Commons

Habitats 

Learn how we manage the Bookham habitats to attract wildlife to our designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Butterfly spotting 

Visit us on a warm, sunny day and you’ll see many of our wonderful butterflies fluttering over the commons.

Most unwanted: Oak Processionary Moth Caterpillars 

From around April, this area is home to oak processionary moth caterpillars. They can cause skin and eye irritations and breathing difficulties if you or your animals come into contact with them.

Bird spotting 

Visit the commons at any time of the year and you'll see and hear many of our favourite woodland birds and spot a variety of waterfowl on the ponds.

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Bookham Commons

History

Central plain Bookham Commons

Discover our past 

Uncover the past at Bookham Commons and learn more about its journey from wild woodland to Victorian day trips and the Second World War.

The commons are a small remnant of a wildwood

Early beginnings  

Learn about the different ways Bookham Commons has been used throughout the ages; man has been here since the Stone Age, when large, wild animals were still roaming the land, so there's plenty to tell.

two children playing at the Devil's Punch Bowl

What are commons? 

Commons today are valued for their protection of wildlife and ecology, where people are welcome visitors but the natural world takes priority. However, these sites survive in an unspoiled state thanks to a fascinating and often contentious human history of community identity, local memory and the rights of common people.

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Bookham Commons

Our work

Banks Common provides a rare grassland habitat

Bringing nature back from the brink 

Following a careful programme of land management over the past 12 months, Bank’s Common, part of Bookham Commons, is showing signs of renewed vitality.

English oak tree

Harvesting oak timber on Bookham Commons 

Learn how we harvest the woodlands for oak once the trees have been thinned in the autumn and winter.

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Bookham Commons

Get involved

Volunteering taster day at Fell Foot

Volunteering in the current situation  

Volunteers have always been at the heart of the work of the National Trust in caring for nature, beauty and history and we are really grateful for your interest in volunteering with us.

Couple on bench between trees with lively dog

Friends of Bookham Commons 

The Friends of Bookham Commons work tirelessly to raise funds and help maintain the commons. Over the years, they've provided restful wooden benches, a boardwalk over a marsh and a bird hide on Upper Eastern Pond for you all to enjoy.

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