A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF HOLMWOOD COMMON
Holmwood Common, at the foot of the North Downs and the Surrey Hills Area of outstanding natural beauty, is just 10 miles from Gatwick Airport, but you wouldn’t know it was so close to one of the world’s busiest transport hubs because the planes overhead are drowned out by wonderful birdsong, and the beautiful scenery — think dappled woodland, open clearings, ancient oak trees and picturesque ponds — is a sight to behold.
This 517.61 acre site, just off the A24 south of Dorking, was once an ancient common owned by King Harold and William the Conqueror. Today it’s a relatively hidden gem that offers great opportunities for walking, cycling and horse riding.
It’s the kind of place you can visit all year round; in summer it’s the ideal spot for a picnic in the sun; in winter it’s a great place to stretch the legs and enjoy some fresh air; in autumn it is alive with mushrooms and toadstools to discover; in spring it bursts into new leaf and looks as pretty as a picture. It is renowned for its abundant wildlife — birds, bats and butterflies in particular — and its glorious native crab apple trees, which erupt into pink blossoms each spring and bear small fruit in the autumn.