Bookham Commons

Important notice -

We ask you kindly to read our noticeboards for up to date information on the different species and habitats we are protecting and where dogs need to be on leads. Many thanks for your help.

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

More about this place

Close-up of the leaves of the Turkey oak on Bookham Commons

Turkey oak felling on Bookham Commons 

We will be felling several areas of Turkey oak trees on Bookham Commons over the next few months. These are non-native species which are damaging the native English oak.

What to discover at Bookham Commons

Savour the reflections on Bookham Commons ponds

Relish the delights of autumn at Bookham Commons 

Revel in all of the sights, sounds and smells of autumn at Bookham Commons. A great place for all the family.

Pick blackberries on an autumn nature walk

Foraging - sharing nature’s autumnal bounty 

Foraging is about searching for food in the wild. It’s a marvellous way to reconnect with nature, get out into autumnal sunshine and gather some of the fruits of the hedgerows and woodland. Not only getting food for free, but also the opportunity to produce something that great to eat. Puddings, jams, jellies, soups, syrups, cordials and wines - there’s lots of potential for creativity!

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Bookham Commons

What's on 

Upcoming events

See all events

Boxing Day ramble with ranger Ian

Thu 26 Dec 2019
11:00-13:00
Join us on a heart warming festive walk.
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Bookham Commons

Wildlife

Pond at Bookham Commons
Silver washed fritillary butterfly
Shoveler on the ponds at Bookham Commons Surrey

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.

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

National Trust volunteers having a tea break

Volunteer with us 

We welcome new members to our volunteering team and none of the work we do would be possible without their help. Would you like to lend a helping hand?

Join our team of volunteers
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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