Whitmoor & Rickford Commons

Bench on Whitmoor Common

© Surrey Wildlife Trust

Heathland, woodland and a dragonfly paradise. Public access managed by Surrey County Council, conservation managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust

Location

Saltbox Road
Guildford
Surrey
GU3 3LH

OS Map Reference

SU982 529
A static map of Whitmoor & Rickford Commons

Know before you go

Size
183 hectares
P

Parking information

Car parks on Saltbox Road

Grazing animals

Cattle

Access

Public access managed by Surrey County Council, conservation managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust

Brittons Pond is wheelchair accessible in dry conditions

Dogs

Under effective control
i

Facilities

Cafe/refreshments

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

May to September

About the reserve

You don’t have to range far from Guildford to discover fine examples of one of Surrey’s most precious habitats. Part of the Worplesdon group of commons, Whitmoor and Rickford Commons combine iconic heathland with patches of pine, birch, oak, holly and hazel woodland. Around the wetter areas there is a mix of heath and willow with an area of alder carr.

The ponds were originally dug to let grazing stock drink. Now they are wildlife havens. 19 species of dragonfly, including the emperor dragonfly, have been recorded in or around the largest pond.

Whitmoor is well worth a visit at any time of year. In spring, you will see bright yellow celandines along the banks of the stream. Willow and hazel catkins appear before the trees get their leaves. The pale yellow brimstone is usually the first butterfly of the year.

By summer, the heathland flowers are at their best. Look out for the three types of heather – ling, bell and cross-leaved, as well as the carnivorous sundew. In the evening you may see bats and, if you’re lucky, hear Dartford warblers and the churring call of the nightjar.

In autumn, hazelnuts and acorns ripen, providing a feast for wood mice and other animals. Look for flocks of siskins, redpolls and goldfinches on the seed-heads of thistles. And when winter comes, the bare trees make it easier to spot woodpeckers, robins, wrens and other woodland birds. You might even see roe deer.

Car Parks

Saltbox Road car park and Britten's Pond car park off Salt Box Road

More site info from SCC

Contact us

Surrey County Council
Contact number: 0300 200 1003

Environmental designation

Local Nature Reserve (LNR)
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
Special Protection Areas (SPA)

Location map

Badger

© Andrew Parkinson/2020VISION

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© Jon Hawkins

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© Surrey Wildlife Trust

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