Cuddington Way, Cheam, Sutton, Surrey

Howell Hill Nature Reserve

Mixed-habitat reserve

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6.2

Wildland

Under 1 hour

Time

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Cost

Peaceful

Feel

HillsRemote countrysideWalkersWildlife loversPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

6.2

A five-hectare chalk downland reserve on old chalk spoil heaps, with around 260 recorded flowering-plant species.

Howell Hill earns its place for botanical richness packed into a small urban-edge reserve: old chalk spoil heaps support orchids, kidney vetch and other distinctive wildflowers. It is a focused nature visit rather than a long countryside walk; access is on foot, and the Trust says it is unsuitable for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility.

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Cuddington Way, Cheam, Sutton, Surrey

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The experience

Come for the chalk downland flowers and insect life rather than a lengthy walk. The reserve is five hectares; allow a short visit and take care to follow the footpath and any reserve guidance.

Things to do

Look for chalk downland wildflowers

Explore the old chalk spoil heaps and look for the orchids and other flowering plants recorded at the reserve. Surrey Wildlife Trust lists around 260 kinds of flowering plants.

Allow a short visit; exact duration not stated

Look for small blue butterflies

The Wildlife Trusts’ reserve tour identifies Howell Hill as a place to look for small blue butterflies, which are on the wing in June.

Notice the reserve’s chalk spoil heaps

The heaps were created in the 1960s when adjoining school playing fields were levelled. Their chalk substrate is part of the reserve’s distinctive botanical setting.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Under 1 hour

Quick chalk-downland nature stop

01
Reach the reserve on foot via the path near the Cheam Road roundabout on the A232; there is no car park.
02
Explore the reserve on foot, staying on accessible paths and observing any reserve guidance.
03
Look for chalk downland flowers, including orchids and kidney vetch; June is a stated time to look for small blue butterflies.

Half day · Half day

Make time for Howell Hill and Priest Hill

01
Visit Howell Hill first, allowing time to look closely for its flowering plants and chalkland wildlife.
02
If you want to extend the outing, consider Priest Hill. Surrey Wildlife Trust’s reserve tour describes the route between them via Banstead Road and arable fields.
03
Check current access and route conditions before setting out; the supplied sources do not give a complete route description or timings.

Verified history

The chalk spoil heaps at Howell Hill were created in the 1960s when adjoining school playing fields were levelled. The land was left unmanaged for many years and is now managed on behalf of Surrey County Council. Surrey Wildlife Trust records around 260 kinds of flowering plants at the reserve.

Hidden details

Chalk heaps shaped by school-field levelling — The reserve’s chalk spoil heaps were formed in the 1960s when adjoining school playing fields were levelled.

A notable orchid list — The Trust records bee, common spotted, fragrant, pyramidal and white helleborine orchids at Howell Hill.

Small blue butterfly in June — The Wildlife Trusts’ guided tour specifically points visitors towards Howell Hill for small blue butterflies in June.

When to go

May · June · July · Not specified by the supplied sources.

Surrey Wildlife Trust gives May to July as the best time to visit. The Trust’s reserve tour notes that small blue butterflies are on the wing in June.

Check local conditions before visiting. The supplied sources do not describe weather-related access or ground conditions.

Worth pairing with

Priest Hill Nature Reserve

A possible extension to the outing: Surrey Wildlife Trust’s guided tour describes travelling between Howell Hill and Priest Hill via Banstead Road and arable fields. Check current access and route details before setting out.

What to look for

Look for orchids, kidney vetch, mouse-eared hawkweed and the old chalk spoil heaps that give the site its distinctive terrain. The Trust also records anthills and green woodpeckers.

Best time to go

May–July, the reserve’s stated best visiting period.

May to July is the reserve’s stated best time to visit. Small blue butterflies are noted in June.

How long to spend

Under 1 hour

Perfect for

Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers