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A collection of wildflowers blooming in a meadow, including the purple towers of common spoted orchids

Orchids in a meadow © Jim Higham

Surrey's "Old" Grassland Inventory

Protecting Surrey’s Ancient Grasslands: A Vital Step for Wildlife and Biodiversity

Some of Surrey’s most delicate and biodiverse habitats – ancient, flower-rich grasslands that support iconic wildlife like the Small Blue butterfly and Skylark – are finally getting the recognition and protection they deserve. 

Thanks to the combined efforts of Surrey Wildlife Trust, Surrey Nature Partnership, and a dedicated network of partners and volunteers, the first stage of the Surrey Old Grasslands Inventory is now complete. This vital work is uncovering and documenting species-rich pastures across the county – from chalk hills in the North Downs to hidden pockets of old commons, churchyards, and village greens.

Download the Interim Grasslands Inventory Report from the Surrey Nature Partnership website.

Why These Grasslands Matter

With increasing pressure from development, this work is essential to protect Surrey’s last remaining grasslands – unique ecosystems that once defined our landscape and now offer hope for a more biodiverse future

These ancient grasslands are rare survivors of a traditional farming landscape, largely untouched by modern agriculture. Free from fertilisers, reseeding, and heavy drainage, they support a vibrant array of native plants – including Bee Orchids, Horseshoe Vetch, and the declining Harebell and Sneezewort.

Many now serve as grazing land for horses, but their ecological importance is profound. Chalk grasslands are among the most biodiverse habitats in the UK, while sandy and floodplain grasslands host a complex web of plant, insect, bird, and reptile life.

Discoveries Already Making a Difference

In 2023–24, field surveys led by SWT’s Director of Research and Monitoring, Mike Waite, revealed several previously unrecorded grasslands rich in rare and declining species. These newly identified sites will now be considered for designation as Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCIs) – a vital step toward safeguarding them in local planning decisions.

A Foundation for Nature Recovery

The Inventory is also a key foundation for the county’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy, helping guide local planning, Biodiversity Net Gain opportunities, and the creation of a Nature Recovery Network for Surrey.

Learn more about Surrey’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

What’s Next?

More than 100 additional sites – including some along the Thames floodplain and road verges – are scheduled for survey in 2025. Rare plants like Autumn Squill, Strawberry Clover, and Sea Stork’s-bill could help identify even more hidden habitats worth preserving.

The full Grasslands Inventory is expected to be completed by early 2026.

Survey sites

An app has been created to help surveyors identify the relevant criteria needed to determine if a site should be included in the inventory. Surveys started in summer 2023, conducted by Surrey Wildlife Trust staff, and volunteers from the Surrey Botanical Society, to help determine whether the site should be included in the inventory.

If you own, manage or know of any sites that could be eligible for the inventory, please do get in touch at grasslands.inventory@surreywt.org.uk.   

Sites included in the final Inventory may also qualify as non-statutory Local Wildlife Sites or Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) as they are known in Surrey, which will also ensure that these irreplaceable grasslands are recognised within the planning system. SNCIs are identified by the Surrey Local Sites Partnership (SLSP) against defined habitat and species criteria formally adopted by the Surrey Nature Partnership.

We plan to continue conducting surveys during summer 2025 and the inventory will regularly be updated as new sites are identified.

Surrey Botanical Society

The Surrey Botanical Society has, in preparation for the project, compiled and internally consulted on an updated list of axiophyte vascular plant species.

Axiophytes (sometimes referred to as “worthy plants”) are species that are considered to be indicators of important habitats for conservation and can indicate a period of historical continuity of permanent pasture (comparable with the concept of ‘ancient woodland indicator species’) and include Pyramidal Orchid, Kidney Vetch, Lady’s Bedstraw and Fairy Flax.

While the presence of any one of these axiophyte species cannot by itself confirm the existence of a long-standing unimproved or semi-improved grassland, as an assemblage and when present as a self-sustaining native population, they can.

Collaboration for Conservation

The inventory is the result of a wide-reaching partnership between:

Together, these organisations have begun identifying the very best examples of grassland habitat across the county, with the goal of improving management and long-term protection.

If you own, manage or know of any sites that could be eligible for the inventory, please do get in touch at grasslands.inventory@surreywt.org.uk.