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Witley and Milford Find out more about what Witley and Milford happens on the Surrey Hills Commons The National Trust looks after Pack a picnic and make a day much of the Surrey Hills – from of it, or come along for just an Commons Limpsfield Common in the east hour or two. There are two self-guided trails for to Hindhead Common in the west. Take a look on our website Trail Guide you to enjoy. The longer Heathland In between are Box Hill, Leith Hill and Bookham Commons to name www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ Hike is around 3 miles (4.82km) and but a few of the places we care for. surreyhills to read about Our places are great for running our latest news and events, takes you through Witley and Milford around and exploring, building to download more trail dens and seeing the wonderful leaflets, or make friends Commons, whilst the shorter Nature wildlife that lives there. with us on Facebook. Trail is just under 1 mile (1.6km) and is perfect for a family walk.

Highland cattle

Hover fly

The 235 acres of Witley National Trust Common were given in 1921 by Mr Thackeray Turner. The National Trust is an The Witley Centre, The 137 acres of Milford independent conservation Haslemere Road (A286), Common were acquired in charity and needs your Witley, Godalming, 1927 from the Webb family. continued support. Surrey, GU8 5QA If you would like to know Tel: 01428 681050 The first written record of more about the National Trust, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ Witley, known in medieval local places to visit, or how witley-and-milford-commons/ times as Witlei, is in the to become a member, Domesday Book of 1087. Facebook: please contact our local office: The presence of Bronze Age NationalTrustSurreyHills burial mounds in the area is Dartford warbler testament to the spiritual connection that our ancestors Photography: ©National Trust Images/ Ian West, Derek Croucher, Clifford Reddick, Martin Taylor, Al Taylor, Dartford Warbler: Ben Hall (rspb-images.com) had with this landscape. Printed on 100% recycled paper. Please recycle this leaflet after use. © National Trust 2015. National Trust is an independent registered charity, number 205846 C Heathland National Trust rangers and Things to look out volunteers help to conserve the Lowland heathlands are an mosaic of habitats that are home ancient and increasingly rare to rare and endangered species of habitat which first started to birds, insects and reptiles for along the way develop as woodland was cleared including the rare sand lizard. after the last Ice Age. As you A Witley Centre part in our programe of hands-on stroll around the commons you Sand lizard will see examples of both wet The Witley Centre is conveniently learning experiences and outdoor fun. With its modern facilities, and dry heath. The heath is also a located on Witley Common and is perfect place to relax and easily accessible from Webb Road. meeting rooms and tranquil setting, it has also proved popular connect with nature. During the summer months it comes alive Opened in 1976, it’s now home to with groups hosting training with the rich purples of heather, the National Trust ranger and sessions and outdoor events. the buzzing of insects and the learning team. For booking enquiries scent of pine. please contact the team The centre houses a purpose built on 01428 681050. learning room, from which schools and community groups can take D Second World War Did you know? Parade Ground These commons were used as army camps during both the First and This open area marks Second World Wars. The war poet Did you know? the location of Witley Wilfred Owen was based here in 1916 For the experienced Camp’s parade when he wrote the poem ‘A New mycologist, Witley Common ground. In the Heaven.’ He was to be awarded the is a fungi paradise! heathland area Ling heather Military Cross for his fine leadership In autumn and early winter, opposite the parade when, on November Witley Common produces a ground, the keen eyed Don’t miss 4th 1918, he was killed wealth of fungi species. The Look out for several ancient sweet local historian will find poisonous fly agaric can be in action. Tragically, chestnut trees, not far from the some of the few family was found growing near birch or Wilfred’s Witley Centre. These are believed remnants of the brick Scots pine and the much informed of his death to be around 300 years old and buildings which were more deadly death cap under on November 11th, probably marked an historical torn down after the the oaks. The birch polypore the day of the boundary. They can be easily camp was is an abundant species. Armistice. identified by their spiral twist and decommissioned by their prickly but tasty chestnuts. during the 1950s. Look out for Sweet soldiers, there chestnut Dense areas of hawthorn was a need for scrub on Milford Common. shops, Fly agaric We have coppiced and entertainment toadstall layered the hawthorn in order and sports to enhance the habitat for facilities. breeding birds such as This open area nightingales, which have still retains the B now returned to breed Nightingale layout of the Explore... The Ancient Pond once again on Milford Common. baseball pitch This is a former cattle watering where Canadian soldiers once hole which was invaluable during E Second World War enjoyed their free time. An ancient landscape the time when Witley Common Amongst those who played of extensive heathland, was used for grazing. Now it’s Banded Baseball Pitch here was the well a peaceful haven for numerous demoiselle The camps, which would later known baseball legend Babe secluded woodland glades dragonflies, damselflies, birds become known locally as ‘Tin Ruth, who was brought in to and small insects that live in Town,’ were extensive, and as star in a morale-boosting and diverse wildlife habitats. and around the pond. Yellow flag iris they were home to so many exhibition game.