Brookwood Lye

A 22-hectare reserve featuring rare, unimproved, species-rich wet grassland, traversed by ditches and featuring alder carr, broadleaved woodland, and ponds.

Nestled just outside Woking, Brookwood Lye is a little-known gem of wet meadows and reed-fringed riverbanks. Managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust, this reserve is a thriving habitat for amphibians, dragonflies, warblers, and mammals like water voles. The River Wey meanders through the landscape, bordered by sedges and willow scrub, creating a rich mosaic for quiet observation and environmental storytelling. A favourite of the FeatherFrame team for its blend of calm scenery and surprise encounters, Brookwood Lye is perfect for wildlife photographers seeking tranquil waterside settings and layered wetland compositions.

Riparian Life, Reflections, and Subtle Movement

Brookwood Lye’s greatest strength lies in patience. Spotting a sedge warbler singing from reed tops or catching a fleeting glimpse of a kingfisher requires a steady lens and quiet approach. Macro opportunities abound near the water’s edge, with damselflies resting on grasses and frogs nestled between the sedge. Wide-angle frames of willow reflections in the river offer visual softness and depth. FeatherFrame highlights this reserve for its potential in slow wildlife photography, encouraging photographers to document wetlands from eye level.

Best Times to Visit:

  • Spring: Warbler migration, frogs and newts in ponds, and budding sedge growth

  • Summer: Dragonfly peak, water vole signs, and tall flowering wetland plants

  • Autumn: Soft grasses, kingfisher flybys, and golden-hour glow on the water

  • Winter: Mist over the river, redwings in hawthorn, and structural wetland scenes

Plan Your Visit

  • Parking available near Sheets Heath; access via footpath

  • Terrain is often muddy—wear waterproof boots and avoid flooding zones

  • Ideal gear: 400mm+ lens for distant birdlife, macro for insects, and wide-angle for habitat context

  • FeatherFrame recommends scouting early in the day to catch low sun and morning activity

Did you know?

Brookwood Lye forms part of the Thames Basin floodplain and is designated a Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI). Its mosaic of damp grassland, riverbank, and wet woodland supports protected species like water voles and reed warblers. FeatherFrame uses this site to educate about wetland fragility and the ethical value of quiet photographic observation.