Bookham Commons

Getting to know your local commons!

Everyone knows where the National Trust’s Bookham Commons are situated… but do they know how to get around without getting lost? (..and hopefully being found again!)  Every year a surprising number of people wander around in circles within the woodland areas!

How in this day of satellite navigation, GIS and 'urbanisation' can this happen?  Well, to be fair to all who may have had this embarrassing experience (and no, it hasn’t happened to me, you’ll be pleased to hear!) it is easily done… One tree looks fairly like any other. Added to that we have one or two paths that change direction without you realising.

A New Leaflet Map

One way in which we can help is to provide a decent map! Thanks to the generous support of the Friends of Bookham Commons we’ll be producing a leaflet map for free distribution and available from the leaflet dispensers on our noticeboards. Hopefully the maps, combined with the widening and scalloping of the main rides (by our intrepid Wednesday volunteer force!) will make your visit less daunting. We need to strike a balance but don’t want to spoil the mystery and character of the deep, dark woods.

Therefore if your map-reading isn’t what it should be it might be best to carry a compass, a backpack with food for three days, a team of Husky sled dogs and leave word with relatives… just in case!  It can be pretty wild out there!

Access for all

The new surfaced track from Merritt’s Cottage to Mark Oak is proving very popular and is useful for our own access to the woodland areas. It has given rise to a criticism, that of 'urbanisation' of a natural area.  Whilst these dry tracks attract many more people to the commons they form the main tracks.  It has made other areas quiet where the hardy can push through (or should I say squelch?!) and see far more 'undisturbed' wildlife.

Most of the main tracks on the commons were a sea of mud through the winter months and pedestrians and cyclists couldn’t use them… even the horses struggled! Since Surrey County Council surfaced the public bridleways (and we joined-up a few of our own access tracks) everyone can have access – even pushchairs and mobility vehicles. 

Picnic Tables

A great many thanks are due to the Bookham Commons Conservation Volunteers for erecting our new picnic benches, one at the pond and one beside the main (Tunnel) car park. Too many of these and we’ll start to look like a country park… so again, just a few will be useful for visitors without spoiling the 'wild' feel of the commons.

You’ll be pleased to hear that they were made by our volunteer carpenters at Landbarn Farm (Westcott) from our own sustainably-grown Bookham Commons oak. The trees that were taken as thinnings helped to release the remaining ones to grow into old age and help to keep the wood pasture areas diverse in wildlife species for many years to come.

And finally… Thank you for your interest and for your valued support. If you would like to give extra support to the Commons for a very small subscription please join the 'Friends' by calling the number below. Come and see us!!