This is the 9th reserve to be launched as part of the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves, which will leave a lasting public legacy for people and nature by creating or extending 25 National Nature Reserves by 2027.
A landscape in Surrey beloved by lizards and literary greats and home to an area known as the Devil’s Punch Bowl, is to become the latest National Nature Reserve.
The Wealden Heaths National Nature Reserve, in the heart of the Surrey countryside and on the doorstep of more than a quarter of a million people, has this week been declared by Natural England the 9th National Nature Reserve in the King’s Series.
This new reserve is a collaboration between nine partners; Natural England, RSPB, National Trust, Surrey Wildlife Trust, Hampton Estate (private farming estate), Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust, Waverley Borough Council, Surrey County Council and Forestry England, with further support from the Surrey Hills National Landscape.
The reserve has secured its status as a haven for wildlife, ensuring that it can provide a home for rare species such as Nightjars, Sand Lizards, Adders and Natterjack Toads into the future and an area of 2,765ha of greenspace accessible by hundreds of thousands of people.
Wealden Heaths National Nature Reserve stretches across an area around three times that of Richmond Park, boasting a rich mix of open dry and wet heath, acidic grassland, regenerating woodland, and scrubby heath.
Heathland habitats are incredibly important for a range of species, and popular with walkers, cyclists and riders. However, heathlands in England have declined by around 80% in the last two centuries, making this declaration vitally important for the survival of these precious places.
The exceptional nature on display in this area, alongside its easy connections with London mean it already sees thousands of visitors each year, and its declaration as a National Nature Reserve means that future generations will continue to be able to connect with nature in the idyllic surroundings of the reserve. The reserve also includes a nature friendly farmed estate, adding to its potential to boost the local economy along with visitor spend.
Marian Spain, Chief Executive of Natural England said:
“The beautiful atmospheric landscape has had a huge influence in culture over the centuries, from folklore to poetry. Its new status as a National Nature Reserve will ensure future generations continue to be inspired.
“There is a wealth of species here, many of which are very rare, and efforts to maintain the vital habitats in this area will help these plants and animals to thrive again. Its network of tracks – including “Britain’s Favourite Path” – means it is already incredibly popular with local people and visitors from nearby London, offering a much needed vast open space for everybody to enjoy the connection with nature we all need.”
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC) CEO, Dr Tony Gent said:
“At ARC, we believe that collaboration is key to effective landscape-scale conservation. By working together rather than in isolated pockets, we can share resources, knowledge, and communicate more consistently – delivering greater impact for wildlife and habitats.”
“The creation of the new Partnership National Nature Reserve in Surrey offers a powerful opportunity to strengthen partnerships with fellow land managers. Together, we can better support native amphibian and reptile populations across the region. By aligning conservation goals and underpinning them with robust monitoring, we can develop a shared agenda for conserving these species — while also identifying and addressing areas where biodiversity is in decline.”
South Forest Management Director, Craig Harrison from Forestry England, said:
“We are delighted to be part of this super NNR and for Crooksbury Common to be included. This is great recognition of the importance of heathlands and working at a landscape-scale this partnership will allow us to share our expertise to build a better, more joined-up landscape for nature.”
This landscape is also widely known as the home of The Devil’s Punchbowl, a dramatic natural amphitheatre in the heathlands near Hindhead which is steeped in legend. It is said to have been formed when the Devil scooped up earth to throw at Thor, which some say is how the nearby area of Thursley got its name.
The area has provided inspiration to a range of literary greats through the years, from Alfred Lord Tennyson to Arthur Conan Doyle. The reserve is home to Waggoners Well, where Tennyson wrote ‘Flower in the Crannied Wall’, which reflects on the connection between nature, humans, and the divine.
The area has retained its popularity and is still a destination for nature lovers, boasting the Thursley Common Boardwalk, which has been named ‘Britain’s Favourite Path’ by the Ramblers Association. This declaration will mean that this bustling area of nature just 45 minutes away from London will be managed and accessible for years to come.
This area has already benefitted from the Heathland Connections Nature Recovery Project, which provided funding from Defra and Natural England. It is an ambitious project working with partners, including wildlife charities and private landowners to enhance, restore and connect the special habitats found in the westernmost section of the Surrey Hills National Landscape.
