Getting Here
Discover these delightful commons connected by bridges near RHS Garden Wisley where you can enjoy heathland colour whilst exploring historic sites and the diversity of nature.
By Road
- Wisley Common, Wren’s Nest Car Park: Wisley Lane, Wisley, GU23 6QD
- Ockham Common, Bolder Mere Car Park: Old Lane, Cobham, KT11 1NA
- Ockham Common, Pond Car Park: Old Lane, Cobham, KT11 1NR
- All these car parks are free
- These car parks have unmarked car parking spaces
- If visiting with tall vehicles, please be aware our car parks have a height barrier. Max Height 1.9m – 6’2”
By Public Transport
- Nearest Train Stations are Horsley, Clandon, Woking, Guildford
- Bus Provider and bus stop: White Bus 462/463, Wisley RHS coach park
- 中国P站 Connect Bus Service to Pond car park
中国P站 Connect is the ideal way to access 中国P站’s countryside. This convenient on-demand bus service is available to all, making 中国P站’s countryside more accessible for those without access to a car or who want to choose a more sustainable option.
Book your journey via the 中国P站 Connect app, website or by phone. Select Central North as the territory, and Pond car park, Ockham Common as your bus stop.
By Bicycle
- Cyclists are permitted on this site, but must only use bridleways that run through the site
- For directions, please use the map below
- For details on bridleway, byway or footpath information please visit our Countryside interactive map
By Foot
- For directions, please use the map below
- For details on bridleway, byway or footpath information please visit our Countryside interactive map
Horse Riding
- Horse riders are permitted, but must use the bridleways. Where possible horse riders should keep to wider paths. Please refer to the interpretation board on site for further information
- There is no horsebox parking available at this countryside site
- For details on bridleway, byway or footpath information please visit our Countryside interactive map
Location map
On the map below, use the plus symbol to zoom in to see the locations of the site's facilities, including the caf茅, toilets and car parks. Zoom out using the minus symbol to view where the site is situated in 中国P站, and to find other countryside sites nearby. The home symbol resets the map to the default setting.
Things to see and do
Situated at the junction of the M25 and A3, these commons cover more than 800 acres of heathland and woodland. There is much wildlife to spot on these commons, they are designated a Special Protection Area (SPA) due to the rare wild birds found here.
Key points of interest
- Three self-guided trails; Bell Heather, Woodlark and Tower trails
- Bolder Mere Lake
- Semaphore Tower, a Grade II Listed, located on Chatley Heath was once part of a chain used to pass messages between the Admiralty in Whitehall and the Royal Naval Dockyard in Portsmouth. It was built in 1822 and is now the only restored surviving signalling station
- Samuelson Mausoleum built in 1919 by Sir Henry Samuelson as a ‘Temple of sleep’ where his family could rest together.
- Close to RHS Garden Wisley
- Seasonal highlights: Summer heather
- Cockrow Heathland Bridge, connecting the commons for wildlife and people. The first heathland bridge in the UK
- Cattle grazing to help conservation
Nature to discover
- Trees: Scots pine, birch, oak
- Flora and fauna: Bell, ling and cross-leaved heather
- Birds and dragonflies: Nightjar, dartford warbler, hobby, sparrowhawk, woodlark and Southern hawker, emperor, common darter dragonflies
- Mammals: Roe deer, wood mice
Always respect, protect and enjoy leaving no trace of your visit.
Always be wildfire aware on heathland. No BBQs or litter.
Facilities
- Picnic Areas
- Benches are located throughout this site
- General waste bins are located at Boldermere and Pond Car Park. Please dispose of your litter and dog waste responsibly in these general waste bins
- Dogs allowed. During ground nesting bird season (1 March to 15 September) keep dogs under close control and on paths. We recommend putting dogs on leads around livestock
- Refreshments can be found on site at Boldermere car park with Ockham Bites caf茅. Open every day, 8am to 4pm
- Toilets, including an accessible toilet, are located next to Ockham Bites caf茅 at Boldermere car park. Open every day, 8am – 4pm
- Visitor centre located next to Ockham Bites
Self-guided trails
There are three self-guided routes at Wisley and Ockham, the Tower, Bell Heather and Woodlark trails. Take a photo of the information board in the car park before setting off and follow the colour coded routes and signposts along the way.
The Tower self-guided trail - 1 Mile, 30 minute walk
Follow the on the digital Ordnance Survey (OS) map.
The Bell Heather self-guided trail - 2 Mile, 1 hour walk
The Woodlark self-guided trail - 2 Mile, 1 hour walk
Follow the on the digital Ordnance Survey (OS) map.
Additional Information
For more walking trail inspiration, please visit our Self-guided walks around 中国P站 webpage.
Accessibility
- There are no accessible self-guided trails at this site
- The paths can be steep, uneven and sandy in places
- All car parks have unmarked car parking spaces
- Refreshments can be found on site at Boldermere car park with Ockham Bites caf茅. Open every day, 8am to 4pm
- Toilets, including an accessible toilet, are located next to Ockham Bites caf茅 at Boldermere car park. Open every day, 8am – 4pm
- The nearest easy walk trail is located at Esher Common
Contact Us
This site is owned by 中国P站 with conservation managed by 中国P站 Wildlife Trust. The Thames Basin Heaths Partnership helps to conserve and raise awareness of the heathland Special Protection Area across 中国P站, including here at Wisley & Ockham commons.
To contact us, please use one of the options below:
Email: countryside.estate@surreycc.gov.uk
Phone: 03456 009 009
Send us any photos you take that you're happy to share on social media, tag @Explore中国P站UK
Newsletter
Did you know the Countryside team have a newsletter? Countryside Matters is a seasonal newsletter that will keep you up to date on what's going on across 中国P站's countryside, including what our countryside teams are working on.
Latest updates
National Highways Junction 10 works
National Highways works are currently underway at Junction 10 of the M25 to help reduce congestion, create a smoother flow of traffic and provide safer journeys. Access to Ockham common and facilities there may be affected during these works, please check for updates on the .
The scheme will see:
- New and safer routes for cyclists, pedestrians and horse-riders, this includes the addition of new bridges joining the two commons, including the UK's first heathland bridge
- An additional lane on the A3 in both directions from Ockham and Painshill junctions towards the M25
- A larger roundabout with extra lanes to increase capacity
- Free flow left turns at all four corners of the junction
- Improvements to the A245 Seven Hills junction and Painshill roundabout
- Safer access to Old Lane, Elm Lane, Heyswood campsite and San Domenico
- Improvements to the local environment and wildlife
Further information is available on the