Mill Way, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8QA
Nower Wood Educational Nature Reserve
Mixed-habitat reserve
Place photograph
5.3
Wildland
Check the duration of the appointment, course or event before booking.
Time
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Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.3A 33-hectare educational reserve where semi-ancient oak woodland gives way to hazel coppice, a chalk grassland patch, a heathland glade and three ponds.
Nower Wood brings several habitats into a compact woodland setting, with ancient trees, seasonal flowers and ponds used for nature education. Its important caveat is access: this is not a drop-in public reserve, so a visit needs to be arranged through Surrey Wildlife Trust.
Peaceful · Ancient-feeling
Find your way
Open mapMill Way, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8QA
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The experience
Visit only through a confirmed appointment, organised event, course, open day or school visit. The reserve’s appeal lies in its habitat variety and educational facilities, not an unrestricted public walk.
Things to do
Follow the accessible woodland trail
The reserve has an accessible self-guided woodland trail. Confirm that it is available as part of your appointment or event; other paths may be uneven, steep or slippery.
Explore the reserve’s different habitats
Look for the transition between semi-ancient oak woodland, hazel coppice, the small chalk grassland area and heathland glade.
Learn about pond wildlife
The three man-made ponds are used for dipping. The centre also has an accessible dipping pond; ask whether pond-dipping is part of your booked visit or event.
Look and listen for woodland wildlife
Species recorded include woodpeckers, Woodcock, Wood Warbler, Treecreepers and Nuthatches. Roe Deer, Badgers and Foxes have also been regularly recorded, though sightings are never guaranteed.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Check with the organiser
A booked woodland-and-pond visit
- 01
Arrange an appointment or book an eligible event with Surrey Wildlife Trust before travelling.
- 02
If included in your visit, explore the accessible woodland trail.
- 03
Notice the changes between oak woodland, hazel coppice, glade and pond habitats.
Half day · Check the booked event details
Make a half day of a nature course or open day
- 01
Choose a Surrey Wildlife Trust course, open day or other event specifically taking place at Nower Wood.
- 02
Allow time for the confirmed activity and any reserve access it includes.
- 03
Ask the Trust in advance about the accessible trail, facilities and mobility requirements.
Verified history
Surrey Wildlife Trust describes Nower Wood as semi-ancient oak woodland that may date back as far as the Domesday Book. The reserve is also identified as a Site of Nature Conservation Importance. The source does not establish a more precise woodland date.
Hidden details
A small heathland glade among the woodland — The reserve includes a heathland glade as well as oak woodland and hazel coppice, adding a distinct habitat within the site.
Accessible nature-learning features — The education centre includes an accessible dipping pond, raised mini-beast habitats and an accessible woodland trail. Check which features are available during your booked visit.
When to go
April · May · June · October · Follow the timing of your appointment or booked event.
The Trust lists the reserve as suitable to visit all year. Its listed seasonal highlights include bluebells and spring flowers, as well as autumn colour.
The Trust notes that some unmade paths may be uneven, steep and slippery. Check conditions and access arrangements with the organiser before visiting.
What to look for
- 01
Look for the shifts between oak woodland, hazel coppice, the small chalk grassland area and heathland glade. The three man-made ponds are used for dipping. Wildlife recorded at the reserve includes woodpeckers, Woodcock, Wood Warbler, Roe Deer, Badgers and Foxes
- 02
sightings are not guaranteed.
The story
Semi-ancient oak woodland that may date back as far as the Domesday Book.
Best time to go
All year; spring for bluebells and other spring flowers, and autumn for woodland colour.
The Trust lists the reserve as an all-year destination. Spring is a good choice for bluebells and spring flowers; autumn brings woodland colour. Confirm a suitable date and access arrangement before setting out.
How long to spend
Check the duration of the appointment, course or event before booking.
Perfect for
Wildlife lovers · Families · Walkers
Before you go
Address
Phone
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Listed hours
- Monday: 8:30am-4pm
- Tuesday: 8:30am-4pm
- Wednesday: 8:30am-4pm
- Thursday: 8:30am-4pm
- Friday: 8:30am-4pm
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A private educational reserve with limited access by prior appointment only. Surrey Wildlife Trust also runs selected events, courses, open days and school visits. Check availability with the Trust before travelling.
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Parking
A surfaced visitor-centre car park is on Mill Way; access is by appointment only. Disabled parking is available.
Toilets
Toilets and an accessible toilet are listed on site. Check arrangements when booking.
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Food & drink
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Dogs
No dogs permitted.
Accessibility
The reserve has an accessible self-guided woodland trail, accessible toilets and disabled parking. Other paths may be uneven, steep or slippery. Wheelchair and mobility scooter users, and visitors with serious mobility issues, are asked to contact the Trust before visiting. Site access is by appointment only.
Cost
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Water
Three man-made ponds, used for dipping; no public swimming access is stated.
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Nower Wood Educational Nature Reserve
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
Source image6.5Langley Vale Centenary Wood
Headley Road, near Epsom and Ashtead, Surrey, KT18 6BZ
2.7 km away
Place photograph7.3Betchworth Quarry and Lime Kilns
The Coombe, Betchworth, Surrey RH3 7BU
3.6 km away
