There are several trails to choose from but our favourite is the circular Dragonfly Trail, which starts near Moat Pond and leads you along a boardwalk, over the bog, through a small wooded area, past the carnivorous sundew plants and back to Moat Pond. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences
The opening ceremony involved the unveiling of an information board created by the BDS and donated by the John Spedan Lewis Foundation, which will be installed at Pine Island in Thursley later this month. You may see signs warning about the perils of playing with strange objects.Thursley Common is a peaceful place now. It was followed by a guided walk along the all-access Dragonfly Nature Trail.“We’re delighted to partner with Natural England on this site and our award of Dragonfly Hotspot status recognises the appreciation of the special insect fauna on Thursley Common by both organisations.
There is parking at The Moat and limited parking in the village.
We visited for the first time today and after a bit of difficulty finding it on Sat Nav (just drop a pin on Thursley Road by The Moat (which is the name of the car park) and you'll find it!! Fri Jun 12 2020. If you are a British Dragonfly Society member you are now part of a community of 1800 certified dragonfly fans! A quick trawl of the internet, and we were able to find directions. Explore one of Britain’s finest heathlands that is home to a wide array of wildlifeThursley shares a Saxon and Norse heritage, celebrated on the village sign with a depiction of the pagan god Thor, and the ancient name for the hamlet, Thor’s Lee, either side of him. It is visible in a part of the common called the Lion’s Mouth. Sign up to receive our newsletter!
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You will encounter a line of telegraph poles (unmarked on the map), with a bridleway running beneath. These habitats are home to extensive wildlife, much of which is rare and confined to the heathland habitat and acid mire, including Curlew, Marsh Clubmoss and the Brilliant Emerald dragonfly.This unique wetland, less than an hour from London, can be accessed by a boardwalk, built with the help of Thursley’s volunteers. By entering your details, you are agreeing to Countryfile.com Listen to the latest episodes from our country podcast
The Ministry of Defence is still active here and there is a military training camp in the area.
The walk starts at the centre of the village before heading out over Thursley Common Nature Reserve and then back though woodland and past equestrian paddocks to return to the village. The Thursley Loop takes you around Thursley Common and Elstead, through the Thursley National Nature Reserve, one of the largest remaining fragments of heathland in Surrey. By creating ponds and wetland areas – no matter how small – you’re …
Trains run from Guildford to Godalming, from where buses serve Elstead.Welcoming hosts and delightful accomodation in a 16th-century, Grade II listed building.A walker-friendly country pub with local cask ales and great food.At nearby Hankley Common, Allied forces practised for D-Day on a replica 100-metre section of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall, a huge sea defence in Europe. Please note !! MAGAZINE Hankley featured in three Bond films, including Skyfall. Leave the church and walk north to the T-junction, where you’ll see the village sign. BRITISH WILDLIFE According to Norse mythology, Thor fought many fierce battles and this corner of Surrey has a strong war connection. PEOPLE
There is such a sense of wilderness here that it’s easy to imagine yourself in Scotland rather than just an hour from London.Dissected by footpaths, bridleways, boardwalks, officially marked trails and unofficial tracks, the commons can be complex to navigate, so a compass is useful.Head north towards the heart of the heath.
In spring you’ll find it full of dragons – but none spoiling for a fight.
Some 26 species of dragonfly are found among the bog asphodel and marsh orchids. These records are subject to verification by a local expert. Thursley Common is teeming with nature and we almost always see something wonderful. The marshy nature reserve, punctuated by ponds and criss-crossed by trails, is famous for dragonflies, damselflies and mayflies. GO OUTDOORS
Showing regularly, at Thursley Common.
I would encourage anyone with a love of nature to join them in supporting the wildlife on site and inspiring others to make a difference.”The 325 hectare reserve contains one of the largest remaining fragments of lowland heathland in Surrey, as well as peat bogs, ponds, pine and deciduous trees.
After passing under large pylons (marked on the map), you’ll reach another pond.Turn left and walk through Guinea Common, past a beautiful old farm building, until you meet a residential road, Hookley Lane, which takes you into Elstead. In spring you’ll find it full of dragons – but none spoiling for a fight.
An all round pleasant trail in the woodland but the ruins at Waverley Abbey are definitely the main highlight. Gosia Szczepanska reviewed Thursley's Dragonflies and the Atlantic Wall. Here there is a shop and two pubs serving lunch (the Woolpack, on your left as you approach the village, or the Golden Fleece, just past the village triangle).