Thursley National Nature Reserve

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Overview

Thursley NNR is one of the largest remaining fragments of a once extensive area of heathland in Surrey. The reserve includes large areas of open dry heathland, peat bogs, ponds, pine and deciduous woodlands, home to a thriving and varied wildlife. Common heather (or ‘ling’) and bell heather are the dominant species in the areas of dry heath, which is home to ground-nesting birds such as stonechat and woodlark. Many reptiles also favour this habitat, and at Thursley all six native species can be found. The silver-studded blue butterfly is also found here. The valley mire or bog supports plants such as sphagnum mosses and plants and the carnivorous sundew, alongside the displays of early marsh orchid in the early summer. Later in the summer the delicate yellow flowers of the bog asphodel come into bloom. The open ponds and ditches are home to the bog raft spider and over 20 different species of dragonflies and damselflies. These insects attract the attention of the summer visiting bird of prey, the hobby.

Location

Thursley

About the area

Surrey is one of England’s most wooded counties, with over a quarter of the landscape designated as an official AONB and plenty of history evident in the countryside. You’ll find sandy tracks, cottage gardens and welcoming village inns, and on the fringe of Greater London you can picnic in Chaldon’s hay meadows, explore the downs at Epsom, or drift idly beside the River Thames.