Hindhead Commons and the Wealden Heaths National Nature Reserve

A man stands looking at the far-reaching view, featuring many trees, on the edge of the massive circular depression, the Punch Bowl, at Hindhead Commons and the Devil's Punch Bowl, Surrey — Taking in the view over the Punch Bowl at Hindhead Commons and the Devil's Punch Bowl, Surrey | © National Trust Images/John Miller

Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl and five other National Trust sites are now part of the Wealden Heaths National Nature Reserve (NNR), one of the King's Series of NNRs.

What is the Wealden Heaths National Nature Reserve?

The Wealden Heaths NNR is a collaboration between nine partners across Surrey and Sussex, bringing together the region’s most precious heathland and endangered species into one extraordinary sanctuary for nature recovery. It's part of the King's Series of Nature Reserves which aims to leave a lasting public legacy for people and nature by creating or extending 25 National Nature Reserves by 2027.

Covering 2,765 hectares, it includes a rich mix of open dry and wet heath, acidic grassland, regenerating woodland, and scrubby heath.

Heathlands in England have declined by around 80% in the last two centuries, making this creation of a NNR vitally important for the survival of these precious places and in protecting the homes of rare species such as nightjars, sand lizards, adders and natterjack toads.

It’s also a special place for all of us, providing sanctuary and a green space accessible to hundreds of thousands of people.

Nightjar

Arriving here in April and May, the nightjar nests on the ground on heathland, which makes it vulnerable to disturbance. Its wonderful camouflage makes it hard to spot, but its distinctive churring sound can be heard at dusk.

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National Trust sites in the Wealden NNR

Hindhead Common and Devil’s Punch Bowl – National Trust

This SSSI site features dramatic landscapes, including the Devil’s Punch Bowl and Gibbet Hill, Surrey’s second-highest point. The area supports heathland habitats and is home to ground-nesting birds and grazing Exmoor ponies.

Black Down

Black Down, the highest point in the South Downs National Park, is a landscape of open heath, ancient woodland, and flower-rich meadows. The site supports internationally important heathland habitats and is managed to encourage biodiversity through traditional grazing practices.

Frensham Little Pond

Frensham Little Pond, created in the 13th century, is a haven for wildlife and part of a wider protected landscape. The site supports a variety of birds, dragonflies, and flowering plants, and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area (SPA), and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). It is managed by the National Trust and Waverley Borough Council.

Ludshott Commons

Ludshott Common is one of the largest remaining heathlands in East Hampshire. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA), supporting rare birds, all six native reptiles, and invertebrates such as the silver-studded blue butterfly.

Marley Common

Marley Common, once an army training ground, has been restored through conservation grazing and woodland management. The site supports a diverse range of flora and fauna, including coppiced chestnut woodland and seasonal butterflies such as the brimstone.

Witley and Milford Commons

Witley and Milford Commons is a SSSI with extensive heathland and woodland. It supports a rich heathland flora and provides nesting habitat for nightjars and other heathland birds.