Horsell CommonHorsell Common is one of the only privately owned areas of common land with public access. Originally part of Windsor Great Park is was purchased by the Trustees of Horsell Common Preservation Society in 1966. The common consists of approximately 830 acres, mainly of lowland heath but with 74 acres of meadow at the old Mizen farm site and an area along the river Bourne.
Many parts hold SSSI status and the open heath has Special Protection status under the Thames Basin Heaths SPA. The Common is of European importance for breeding populations of Nightjar, Dartford Warbler and Woodlark. On summer evenings you will also be rewarded with Woodcock. The Common forms part of the Bagshot sands and offers acidic conditions. Plants of interest include three species of heather, Bog Asphodel, Dodder and Round Leaved Sundew and the very rare Three Lobbed Water Crowfoot. Horsell Common is probably one of the richest areas in Surrey for bees, wasps and ants, with 180 species having been recorded, including 15 species of spider-hunting wasps. Butterflies include Silver Studded Blue, Purple Hairstreak and Small Copper plus many common species. The Common is managed in part by cattle but in the main by the management team and volunteers. For more information and details for visiting please visit www.horsellcommon.co.uk
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