Guildford Local Nature Reserves

Maps and locations are available on the GOV.UK website, or the Surrey Interactive Map.

There are three Local Nature Reserves in Guildford, looked after by Guildford Borough Council:

Fox Corner Community Wildlife Area

Looked after by a partnership group of local residents, Guildford Borough Council, Surrey Wildlife Trust and Merrist Wood College. The site was bought by Guildford Borough Council after years of misuse and dumping and has a variety of habitats that have been created and restored by the management association. Work has included pond creation, including a dipping platform and boardwalk; wheelchair and pushchair access; wildflower meadow creation and planting native trees and hedgerows. The management association promotes public access, enjoyment and education at the site, including school visits. For more information look at the Fox Corner website.

Lakeside Park

Formerly gravel workings, which the Blackwater Valley Partnership, Surrey County Council and Guildford Borough Council have worked for 20 years to restore. The site consists of a mosaic of lakes, reed beds, rough grassland, heath, scrub and woodland. It adjoins the Basingstoke Canal, which is one of the most ecologically rich waterways in Britain. Some of the lakes and ponds were created after the development of the Blackwater Valley Relief Road. Species found at Lakeside Park include the rare hairy dragonfly and water violet, plus the more common bee orchid.

Riverside Park

Straddles the A3 north-east of Guildford town centre. It contains a mosaic of different habitats including reed beds, wetland, riverside, a lake, ponds, scrub, meadows and woodland, and is popular with bird watchers and walkers. More than 300 plant species have been recorded and the reserve is used by breeding and wintering birds, including snipe, water rail and kingfisher.

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