Frensham Common
WHERE Priory Lane, Frensham, Surrey, GU10 3BT // DISTANCE 5 miles (8km) //
ASCENT 256ft (78m) // TERRAIN Good paths and trails
FRENSHAM PONDS are set in 900 acres of wildlife-rich heath and woodland in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This is a tranquil haven in the busy South East and a perfect car-free escape from London by train to Farnham. This route sets out from Little Pond, taking in a fantastic clockwise loop of the common, skirting Great Pond before returning through woodland to Little Pond, with its beachside cafe.
THINGS TO SEE // Frensham Great Pond and Little Pond were originally created in the 13th century to supply fish for the
Bishop of Winchester on his visits to Farnham Castle. Today, they provide a habitat for a variety of water flora and fauna, and the Great Pond is a perfect place to cool off with a postrun dip, or relax on the beach.
Frensham Common is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, as well as an AONB. The diverse and rare range of habitats includes dry heath, wet heath, open water, reedbeds, alder carr and mixed woodland, together supporting a wealth of wildlife that includes sand lizards, Dartford warblers and unusual plants like the insectivorous sundew. Listen out for resident woodlarks and, at dusk, the ‘churring’ call of the nightjar.
THE ROUTE // START/END TENT PEG LANE
CAR PARK // 1. From the car park follow the footpath northeast, alongside the lane and around the northern tip of Frensham Little Pond. 2. (0.4 miles) Enjoy the view across Little Pond, then turn right, following
the footpath running down the eastern shore, continuing along this path through areas of woodland and grassland to the road at Rushmoor. 3. (1.3 miles) Turn right onto a bridleway and follow this through woodland, emerging onto a lane and bearing right.
4. (1.7 miles) At Gray Walls house, bear left, following a bridleway through trees and past a pond on your left. Continue until you reach the main road at the southeastern
corner of Frensham Great Pond. 5. (2.7 miles) Cross the road and follow Pond Lane around the southern end of the Great Pond, then bear right off the lane and follow the footpath up the western side of the pond. 6. (4 miles) Bear right, following a bridleway straight across the A287 (cross with care), taking the first left onto another bridleway and following this north to a footpath just before Priory Lane. Turn right, following the footpath to return to the car park. •