Butterfly walks in Surrey

Enjoy a stroll in the sunshine at some of our best Surrey butterfly spots. A butterfly dancing from blossom to flower is always a cheerful sight, these bright, colourful emblems of warmth and sunshine are perhaps our best-loved insects. Discover elusive purple emperors on our chalkland commons, distinctive marbled whites on the estate at Polesden Lacey and painted ladies along the banks of the River Wey.

The meadow brown butterfly
Walking trail

Polesden Lacey butterfly walk 

The estate at Polesden Lacey is home to a wide variety of butterflies. Why not take some time this spring and summer to do some butterfly spotting on the estate? This modestly strenuous walk is perfect for walkers of any age and skill level. It takes approximately an hour and a half.

Butterfly spotting at Polesden Lacey
Orange tip butterfly at Hatchlands Park, Surrey

Butterfly trail at Hatchlands Park 

There’s nothing like the colourful flash of a butterfly darting through a meadow to evoke the long lazy days of summer. Enjoy a stroll through the grounds at Hatchlands Park and see how many you can spot on the butterfly trail.

More on the butterfly trail at Hatchlands
Holly blue butterfly on the River Wey in Surrey
Walking trail 

Butterflies on the River Wey

Follow the River Wey towpath to discover a busy population of beautiful butterflies. From the yellow brimstones and orange tips that mark the first flushes of spring, to gatekeepers and painted ladies fluttering deep into the summer.

Discover butterflies along the towpath
White admiral butterfly
Walking trail

Headley Heath butterfly walk 

Ramble through woodland, heathland and out onto chalk downland turf. Stop for a picnic under the dense-leaved oak where you can see the magnificent purple emperors putting on a spectacular display each afternoon.

Walk the heath in search of butterflies
Purple emperor butterfly
Walking trail

The Bookham Common butterfly walk 

The rare purple emperor was spotted in 2017 at Bookham Common at the earliest point in the year for more than a century. It follows decades of work by our rangers to protect these specialist habitats. This walking trail takes you through one of the best woods in England for sighting this elusive butterfly.

See if you can spot the rare purple emperor
Denbies Hillside countryside, Surrey
Walking trail

Denbies Hillside nature walk 

Enjoy an exhilarating walk across the hillside along part of the North Downs Way national trail. Large swathes of grassy chalk downland provide excellent habitat for butterflies which you’ll spot fluttering between the wild flowers.

Spot butterflies on the hillside
Two cartoon dogs from South Downs Take the Lead video
Black Down   Surrey

Take the Lead: Canine Confessions

We ask for the support of dog owners in keeping your pets under close control around livestock. If you are unsure as to whether your dog will chase livestock then please keep them on a lead. We recommend following the guidance in this series of useful videos, called Canine Confessions, produced by the South Downs National Park.

Watch the Canine Confessions video series