Quick guide and location map
Lovely views throughout the year at this hilly Local Nature Reserve that sits above East and West Horsley in the Surrey Hills National Landscape. Enjoy bluebells in spring, wildflower meadows in summer, autumn colour and panoramic views of London from the viewpoint. Please always follow the Countryside Code.
Quick guide
- Address and references: Epsom Road, West Horsley, Leatherhead KT24 6AP
Ordnance Survey (OS) map reference: TQ090515
What3Words: town.flying.fakes - Type of site: Local Nature Reserve, woodland
- Accessibility: not easily accessible for wheelchairs or buggies, start of the route from St Mary's car park is surfaced.
- Facilities: picnic areas, some including benches, three free car parks. No toilets or refreshments.
- Nature to discover: butterflies, birds.
- Dogs: please keep your dog under control.
- Size: 110 hectares (0.42 square miles).
Location map
On the map below, use the plus symbol to zoom in to see the locations of the site's paths and car parks and the minus symbol to zoom out to view where the site is situated in Surrey, and to see other countryside sites nearby. The home symbol resets the map to the default setting.
The locations of the three car parks are as follows:
- off A246 (by St Mary's Church) KT24 6AP
- Shere Road KT24 6EP
- Green Dene KT24 5TA.
Visitor Information Video
Site details
Description
Located in the Surrey Hills above East and West Horsley, as its name suggests Sheepleas was historically a public site for the grazing of animals. A mixed site of woodland areas and chalk grassland landscape, with plenty of seasonal colour and many trails to wander.
Note that due to its hills and chalk pathways, the area is not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies. Francis Corner easy access route at Combe Lane, Shere is nearby.
Please take care of our countryside and open spaces by following the Countryside Code.
What you can do here
- Varied walking trails - some of them hilly and slippery on the chalk surface
- Woodland wandering, some ancient woodland and large variety of trees
- Dog walking - under effective control
- Family adventure and picnics
Self-guided trails
The Horsley Woodland Trail goes through Sheepleas.
There are two trails with signposts at Sheepleas, they are the Orchid and Hazel self-guided trails. Follow the colour coded routes on the information boards in each car park and the coloured waymarks along the way. There are no kissing gates or stiles en route but please note that paths can be slippery on the chalk surfaces.
The Orchid self-guided trail - 2 miles, 1 hour walk
Follow the Orchid waymarks from either Shere Road or St Mary's car parks. It is a gentle uphill climb from St Mary's car park, but easy walking with some gentle slopes past the picnic area, Millenium Viewpoint, through wildflower meadows and areas of woodland.
The Hazel self-guided trail - 2 miles, 1 hour walk
This circular trail starts from Green Dene car park and provides easy walking with some slopes and narrow tracks. There are many magnificent trees along the way, remnants from the days when Sheepleas was part of the Lovelace Estate.
What you can see here and when
- Great views all year round towards London skyline from the Millennium Viewpoint
- Spring: carpet of bluebells in the spring, plus violets and primroses.
- Summer: Wildflower meadows provide natural summer colour, particularly in July. May and June is the flowering time for 12 species of orchid.
- Nature to discover: many species of birds and mammals can be seen here throughout the year and butterflies can be spotted on sunny days in late spring and summer. Mammals may also be seen here including bats (at dusk) and roe deer. Visit Surrey Wildlife Trust website for more information about what you can see at Sheepleas.
Site management, contact and designations
Site management
We own and manage Sheepleas, including public access, site management and litter bins, car park and visitor services including signposted walking trails.
You will find information about how this site is managed for conservation and the wildlife it supports at Surrey Wildlife Trust.
Contact
Send us any photos you take that you're happy to share on social media, tag @ExploreSurreyUK
If you need to contact us about any issues at Sheepleas, please use one of the options below:
Environmental designations of Sheepleas and what they mean
Surrey Hills National Landscape, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) covers a quarter of the county of Surrey. The Surrey Hills AONB was created in 1958 for conservation due to its significant landscape value and enjoys levels of protection from development. Find out more about the Surrey Hills.
Ancient Woodlands are areas of persistent undisturbed woodland that have survived since 1600 in England, they are home to many species of plants, fungi and insects so of great benefit to biodiversity.
Local Nature Reserve (LNR) is a special area designated by Natural England as being a natural resource contributing to biodiversity. Local Nature Reserves must be looked after by the local authority in whose area they are located.
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) is a formal designation of conservation. Sites must be kept in a healthy state to protect their special habitats and features.
Latest updates
Ash dieback at Sheepleas
Ash dieback (ADB) is considered the most significant disease to affect the United Kingdom's tree population since Dutch Elm disease in the 1960s and 1970s. It is expected to cause the decline and death of over 90% of ash trees in England. Sadly, the disease has advanced considerably due to the extreme climatic conditions we have experienced in the last few years.
Ash trees are the third most common native tree in the UK, found in woodlands and other landscape settings. ADB is caused by a non-native fungus called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus that weakens a tree's structure. Infected trees often see their leaves and branches dying higher up the tree, with the tree becoming weak and unpredictable, often becoming dangerous long before they die.
A programme of works to selectively fell ash trees at Sheepleas took place during Autumn and Winter 2023. Take a look at our Ash dieback felling map (PDF) which shows the area where Ash trees were felled. The map highlights (in yellow) where Ash dieback was identified as well as the works area (in red) where the felling took place. All works were subject to the necessary permissions and licenses.
We will update this page as and when future Ash Dieback works are planned.
Further information on Ash Dieback is available on our Ash Dieback webpage.
Protecting nature at Sheepleas
Residents had previously raised concerns about getting the balance right between protecting the public and protecting nature. As part of the planning process for this year's works, several local experts have been consulted to support in developing an appropriate approach and methodology, including Surrey Bat Group, Surrey Badger Group, Surrey Dormouse Group, Save Surrey's Countryside, Surrey Botanical Society and Butterfly Conservation Surrey amongst others. The Council will continue to liaise with local experts throughout the season in addition to its work with organisations such as Natural England, the Forestry Commission and Surrey Wildlife Trust.
Recognising the guidance provided, the Council's approach will now focus on higher risk areas around public rights of way, car parks and roads. This approach has led to around 2400 metres of permissive path being removed from the felling programme at Sheepleas. Notices to divert the public away from some quieter permissive paths have been installed, to minimise disturbance to biodiversity and encourage areas for wildlife to thrive.