Quick guide and location map
An unspoilt area of mixed woodland and grassland that has something special to offer all year round. Please always follow the Countryside Code.
Quick guide
- Address and references: Staple Lane, East Clandon, GU5 9TD
Ordnance Survey (OS) map reference: TQ069491
What3Words: loans.nets.cycles - Type of site: Local Nature Reserve
- Accessibility: flat but unsurfaced paths.
- Facilities: mobile café Allez Nutrition open weekends, picnic benches, free car park, no toilets onsite.
- Nature to discover: birds, butterflies and dragonflies.
- Dogs: please keep your dog under control.
- Size: 43.87 hectares (108 acres).
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 main part of the Shere Woodland site is split into two by Combe Lane. The access for the West Hanger car park is situated off Staple Lane, East Clandon, GU5 9TD. The third part of the site is the Netley Plantation. There are footpaths running throughout the site and connecting the three areas.
Site details
Description
Shere Woodlands, including West Hanger, Combe Bottom and Netley Plantation, are on the scarp slope of the North Downs, with outstanding views across the Weald to the south coast. The woodlands suffered badly in the 1987 storms, when many 250 year old beech trees fell. Today we see the benefit to biodiversity in the fallen trunks.
This area once formed part of the Bray Estate of Shere who used it to produce timber for their use and for Gomshall Tannery. Cattle were also grazed on the land.
Please take care of our countryside and open spaces by following the Countryside Code.
What you can do here
- The North Downs Way national trail runs through the area
- Varied walking and cycling trails
- Popular cycle routes up into the Surrey Hills
- Areas of open space as well as paths through the woodland
- Dog walking - under effective control
- Family adventure and picnics.
Self-guided walks
Take a look at the information board on site and follow the colour coded route and the signposts along the way.
The 3.5 mile Yew trail goes along parts of the North Downs Way and further afield through Netley Plantation.
The 1 mile Butterfly trail goes through the tranquil woodlands, also taking in a short section of the North Downs Way.
What you can see here and when
- Beautiful Surrey Hills views across the Tillingbourne Valley and beyond to the Greensand Ridge.
- Spring-time displays of bluebells and the sound of birdsong.
- Summer grasslands with wildflowers, butterflies and dragonflies.
- Autumn's spectacular colour of beech trees.
- Winter icicles on the trees and frosty scenery.
- Nature to discover: lots of species of birds and some mammals can be spotted here through the year. Browse the Surrey Wildlife Trust Wildlife Explorer to find out more about the wildlife that can be seen in Surrey.
Accessibility
- The North Downs Way trail crosses West Hanger car park in both directions and is fairly flat but unsurfaced
- Picnic benches in the car park where the coffee van is situated on the weekends. Check their website for details.
- The nearest easy access route is at Francis Corner, Combe Lane, Shere. Car park address and references:
- Address: Combe Lane car park. Combe Lane, Leatherhead KT24 6ES
- OS map reference: TQ077496
- What3Words: assure.spill.plots
Self-guided trails
There are two self-guided trails at Shere Woodlands, the Yew and Butterfly 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 Yew self-guided trail – 3.5 mile, 1 hour 40 minute walk
Follow the Yew circular trail from West Hanger car park and explore the peaceful woodland, forest tracks and stunning views of Shere Woodlands. Some steep slopes and uneven ground in parts. You can do a shorter version of this route (2.7 Miles) by following the North Downs Way back to West Hanger Car Park.
The Butterfly self-guided trail – 1 mile, 30 minute walk
Follow the short circular Butterfly trail, which mostly takes you along the North Downs Way National Trail with a bench and stunning viewpoint halfway.
Site management, contact and designations
Site management
We own and manage Shere Woodlands, including public access, general site management and litter bins, car park and visitor services including walking trails with signposts to guide you along the way.
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 Shere Woodlands, please use one of the options below:
Environmental designations of Shere Woodlands 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) are special areas 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 (SSSI) 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 Shere Woodlands
Ash trees are the third most common native tree in the UK, found in woodlands and other landscape settings. Ash dieback 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.
As England's most wooded county, Surrey has a lot of ash trees, which are sadly affected by this disease. In the interest of public safety, the county council will carry out selective felling at Shere Woodlands during autumn 2024. Ash trees will be retained with their disease progression monitored where safe to do so.
A map in PDF format of where ash trees will be felled in Shere Woodlands is available to view below.
