Betchworth & Buckland Nature Trail
A Nature Trail is a powerful concept. Firstly, it invites people to connect with nature through the simple act of walking through the countryside and observing and appreciating the landscape, and the plants and animals within it — often noticing for the first time things they have walked past for years.
Secondly, a nature trail can be a vehicle for learning and self-education. A walk through nature can stimulate questions and inquiry into discovering what plant and animal life can be seen along the route and this information can be provided in a Guide containing maps, photographs and movies about the landscape, geology and wildlife. It is also an opportunity to educate visitors in how to behave in the countryside and for this reason our trail is underpinned by the Countryside Code.
Thirdly, a nature trail provides a focus for conservation efforts, as records of wildlife and their habitats along the route, are recorded, preserved and enhanced. It provides an opportunity for people to come together to care for and enhance the biodiversity and wildlife habitats along the trail.
Secondly, a nature trail can be a vehicle for learning and self-education. A walk through nature can stimulate questions and inquiry into discovering what plant and animal life can be seen along the route and this information can be provided in a Guide containing maps, photographs and movies about the landscape, geology and wildlife. It is also an opportunity to educate visitors in how to behave in the countryside and for this reason our trail is underpinned by the Countryside Code.
Thirdly, a nature trail provides a focus for conservation efforts, as records of wildlife and their habitats along the route, are recorded, preserved and enhanced. It provides an opportunity for people to come together to care for and enhance the biodiversity and wildlife habitats along the trail.
In 2026 the 4Bs biodiversity team, with financial support from Betchworth Parish Council, Betchworth & Buckland Society & Surrey County Council, and the practical help of volunteers from the 4Bs Nature Conservation Group, is establishing a Nature Trail connecting the parishes of Betchworth and Buckland. This is the first step in an ambitious plan to create a trail that also connects Brockham and Boxhill. The Nature Trail Map is displayed below together with 15 points of interest along the trail and a short movie that gives a flavour of the trail.
Noteworthy features on the nature trail
0 Starting/finishing points St Michael’s Church Car Park
1 Goulburn Green cultivated wildflower strip
2 Common Field wildflower strip with autumn/winter under-crop of seed-bearing plants, cultivated by Hamilton Estate, and farmland
3 Planted hawthorn hedge by path, adjacent farmland now planted with trees
4 Farmland and railway green corridor
5a Lower path - ancient woodland rich in yew trees
5b Upper path – a narrow valley rich in ferns and liverwort plants
6 Chalk grassland on highly disturbed chalk waste from the chalk quarry above
7 In the summer, pyramid and spotted orchids can be seen in the grassy verge
8 Beech, hazel and ash woodland and copse adjacent to railway footpath
9 Treelined lane with large oak tree nearly 300 years old.
10 Marshy area with bog plants – reeds and rushes
11 Species rich acid grassland with wild flowers on Rectory Green
12 Wildflower-rich grassy verges on Rectory Lane
13 Buckland Village pond
14 Tranquil Wood ancient / Georgian & Victorian woodland and wetland
0 Starting/finishing points St Michael’s Church Car Park
1 Goulburn Green cultivated wildflower strip
2 Common Field wildflower strip with autumn/winter under-crop of seed-bearing plants, cultivated by Hamilton Estate, and farmland
3 Planted hawthorn hedge by path, adjacent farmland now planted with trees
4 Farmland and railway green corridor
5a Lower path - ancient woodland rich in yew trees
5b Upper path – a narrow valley rich in ferns and liverwort plants
6 Chalk grassland on highly disturbed chalk waste from the chalk quarry above
7 In the summer, pyramid and spotted orchids can be seen in the grassy verge
8 Beech, hazel and ash woodland and copse adjacent to railway footpath
9 Treelined lane with large oak tree nearly 300 years old.
10 Marshy area with bog plants – reeds and rushes
11 Species rich acid grassland with wild flowers on Rectory Green
12 Wildflower-rich grassy verges on Rectory Lane
13 Buckland Village pond
14 Tranquil Wood ancient / Georgian & Victorian woodland and wetland
When fully implemented at the end of 2026 the trail will be underpinned by information about the plant and animal life along the trail. The biodiversity teams first project is a study of the wild birds along the trail and the first part of this study is a Dawn Chorus Sound Map.
This short movie introduces the Nature Trail
This short movie introduces the Nature Trail
Respect for land owners
A Nature Trail is all about respecting and appreciating the landscape and the wildlife it contains. But it is also about respecting the people who live and work in the landscape, especially those who are farming and looking after the land. For this reason our trail is underpinned by the Countryside Code and we expect those who are using the trail to behave responsibly and keep to the pathways along the trail.
There is a cost in establishing a Nature Trail and we are grateful for the financial support of our doners - Betchworth Parish Council, Betchworth & Buckland Society and Surrey County Council's Your Councillor Community Fund.
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If you would like to be a volunteer on our Nature Trail Team please email [email protected].
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