Stony Rock wildlife walk
This short walk takes advantage of one of the most quiet spots on the Polesden Lacey estate.
A relaxing walk with lots of wildlife to spot
The walk will take you through some beautiful open woodland and on to the ancient woodland of Ranmore Common. The walk finishes on Stony Rock; a small area of heath. There will be many opportunities to spot wildlife along the way on this route.
Map
Start:
Stony Rock National Trust car park, grid ref: TQ124504
1
Leave Stony Rock car park heading east, cross the road onto a small track opposite. As the track branches keep right, cross a stony track and head up hill along a narrow path.
Ranmore Common
Stony Rock is part of the 1400 acre estate managed by the Polesden Lacey ranger team. Ranmore common makes up a large part of the estate, some of the woodland here is ancient; look out for the giant beech trees standing tall. There are many peaceful areas on the estate and many opportunities to get up close to nature; whether that's following animal tracks or listening to bird song. On this track you are likely to hear the distinctive call of the Chiff Chaff singing 'chiff-chaff'.
2
Follow this path until you reach a T-junction, turn left. Then continue past a right-hand turn. Where the path branches take the second track to the right.
Butterflies
This area of open woodland is a great place to spot the Ringlet butterfly in the warmer months. If you are very lucky you may even catch a flash of purple as the Purple Emperor flutters high in the trees. This butterfly spends most of its time in the woodland canopy where it feeds on aphid honeydew. You may spot the male animal droppings, carrion or moist ground that provide it with salts and minerals.
3
Where the path dips continue straight; heading onto the path with the barrier across it and ignoring the one to your left.
Footprints
This section of the walk can get muddy. Muddy tracks in this part of the woodland provide a great opportunity to look for animal tracks; look out for the hoof of the roe deer or the wide paws of the badger.
4
Where the path forks keep left. You will eventually pass Lonesome cottage to your left. Turn left along a stony track and look out for a bridleway to the right of the track. You will reach another rough, stony track. Here turn right to continue this walk, heading south. If you would like to get to Polesden Lacey House and Gardens, turn left and keep to this track all the way to the visitor car park.
5
Pass through the metal barrier and then turn right to follow the track parralell to Ranmore Common Road, please be aware of the traffic.
6
Watch out for traffic and cross over a rough stony track, then keep left along a grassy verge. Cross Hogden Lane and take the small grassy track to the right, you will emerge on a small area of open heath.
Heath
Aerial photographs of Stony Rock from the 1940s show this area being completely open. The ranger team manage this area by removing birch trees and allowing the heather and gorse to thrive. Listen out for the distinctive call of the Blackcap, its call will sound like two stones hitting each other.
7
Follow the path to the right.
Flowers
In early summer look out for Heath bedstraw in the open areas; this tiny white flower looks like little stars in the grass.
8
Head straight, keep left.
Reptiles
This area is great for reptiles; look out for Common Lizards moving quickly through the grass. You may even spot the legless-lizard; the Slow Worm basking in the sunshine.
9
Keep straight over two crossroads in the grassy path. At the T-junction turn left, then keep right, heading towards a wooden post. Turn right and head straight to the car park.
End:
Stony Rock National Trust car park, grid ref: TQ124504
