Waverley Countryside

The Borough of Waverley is a beautiful place to live and work - it is characterised by large areas of open countryside, including habitats such as woodland, grassland, flood meadows and two especially rare and vulnerable habitats, lowland heath and ancient semi-natural woodland.  These habitats support an immense variety of plants and animals, some of which are very rare and others of which are special to this part of the country. As well as being important for wildlife, these areas provide a place for quiet relaxation, enjoyment and recreation.

The extensive system of Rights of Way throughout the borough provides easy access to the countryside. In addition to this, there are three long distance paths, the Downs Link, the North Downs Way and the Greensand Way. Together, all these paths provide great opportunities for enjoying the countryside on foot, horseback or on bicycles.

The information contained in these Countryside webpages covers only those sites owned and managed by Waverley Borough Council. For more information about the wider countryside in Surrey please contact the Surrey Hills AONB office or contact Farnham, Cranleigh or Haslemere locality offices.

Waverley Countryside section is responsible for managing more than 90 countryside sites in the Borough, which equates to approximately 1,000 hectares of countryside. It has a strong commitment to countryside management with a dedicated team of five Area Countryside Rangers. The Rangers provide an important service to the borough through conservation work and organised walks and events on Waverley sites.

The sites vary from small roadside grass areas to much larger sites including Blackheath and Frensham Commons and Farnham Park. The five Countryside Rangers manage these sites for nature conservation, recreation, education, public access and enjoyment. Conservation management work carried out on the sites includes coppicing, hedge laying, scrub clearing, bracken control and pond work. Many sites have interpretative information, for example leaflets and signboards giving site maps and information about wildlife and site facilities.

We are also supported by a large number of volunteers who take part in practical conservation tasks under the direction of the Rangers. Further details can be found under Waverley Action for Wildlife.