About the reserve

Chobham Common isn’t just beautiful, it’s formidable. The largest National Nature Reserve in the south east of England is a wonderful example of lowland heath, one of the most ancient and characteristic British landscapes, originally created by prehistoric farmers. For over 200 generations rural communities have carefully managed this stunning open countryside, creating a wonderful, wildlife rich patchwork of mini-habitats. The few surviving heathlands are very special places providing a living link to our stone-age past. 

Bring your binoculars and see how many you can spot of the 100 different bird species recorded here. These include the very rare Dartford Warbler, the Hobby and the Nightjar. If flora is more your thing, you’ll enjoy more than 300 species of wild flowers. Sweeps of purple flowering heather and sweet scented gorse dominate the heathland, while the wetlands harbour insect-eating Sundews and rare Marsh Gentians. 

If you come in mid-summer, you’re likely to find several species of native orchids around the heathland verges. Watch out for frogs, toads, newts, Adders, Grass Snakes, common and Sand Lizards, Slow Worms, 25 species of mammal and 33 species of butterfly. Stay quiet and tread softly and you might see foxes and deer. 

Chobham Common is also one of the best British sites for insects, spiders, Ladybirds, bees and wasps. Some 29 species of butterfly live here, including the rare Silver-studded Blue, and 22 types of dragonfly hover and dart above the heathland pools. Arachnophobes beware! It also boasts the most species of spider of any site in the UK, although you'll be lucky to spot many of them...

Car parks

Staple Hill Car Park - Staple Hill
Jubilee Mount Car Park - Staple Hill
Long Cross Car Park - intersection of Staple Hill and Longcross Road
Fishpool Car Park - Fishpool road
Monument Car Park  - Chobham Road
Roundabout Car Park - intersection of Chobham Road and Chertsey Road

More site information from SCC