Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Hindhead Commons and Greens SSSI is a significant protected area located on the Surrey Hills, one of the designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in England. Spanning approximately 200 hectares, the site is characterized by extensive lowland heathland, woodland patches, open grassland, and acid soils. The area provides an important habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna, including heathland-specialist species such as ling heather, bell heather, gorse, and various species of lichens and fungi. It is also home to notable bird species such as nightjar and woodlark, and supports reptiles like adders and common lizards. The commons are part of a larger network of protected lands critical for conservation of heathland ecosystems, which are rare at the national level.
Historically, the commons have been shaped by traditional grazing and land management practices that have helped maintain the habitat. Today, restoration efforts involve controlling invasive species and managing scrub encroachment to preserve open heathland. Hindhead Commons is easily accessible via public footpaths and offers several miles of gentle walking trails that attract hikers, bird watchers, and naturalists. The landscape features scenic views across the Devil’s Punch Bowl, a dramatic natural amphitheatre, and is close to the Devil’s Punch Bowl itself, a National Trust property.
Visitors appreciate the quiet, expansive heathland environment with opportunities for outdoor recreation and wildlife observation. The site’s proximity to the A3 road tunnel under Hindhead has improved access and preserved the natural tranquility. The area also serves as an important educational resource for understanding heathland ecology and the importance of conservation in southern England.
