Crooksbury Hill

A 17.2-hectare nature reserve offering extensive views over south-west Surrey and east Hampshire, featuring heathland and woodland habitats.

Crooksbury Hill offers a rare blend of quiet heathland and sweeping panoramic views across west Surrey and Hampshire. Tucked away between Farnham and Puttenham, this Surrey Wildlife Trust reserve is ideal for those who seek solitude, golden light, and moody woodland compositions. The reserve’s elevated position and gnarled Scots pine trees create cinematic frames, while heathland birds like stonechats and warblers call from the bracken. In summer, the buzzing of insects and the warmth of the sun-drenched hilltop set the tone for peaceful explorations. Crooksbury is a location that asks you to slow down and observe—perfect for reflective, storytelling wildlife photography.

A Place of Contrast and Atmosphere

Crooksbury Hill’s real charm lies in its lighting and topography. The interplay of open heath, lone trees, and shadowy pine groves offers opportunities for layered compositions. Look out for stonechats perched on gorse, lizards basking on sandy paths, and dramatic evening silhouettes of trees. It’s a superb location for minimalist frames, environmental portraits of birds, and seasonal moodscapes.

Best Times to Visit

  • Spring: Tree pipits and warblers return; heather beginning to show green shoots

  • Summer: Butterflies, bees, and vibrant heathland flowers; best time for reptiles

  • Autumn: Atmospheric light through misty pines and colorful bracken

  • Winter: Solitude and stark compositions with stonechats and robins in focus

Plan Your Visit

  • Small car park on Crooksbury Road; 5–10 min walk to summit

  • Early morning and golden hour provide the best directional light over the hills

  • Bring a wide-angle for landscapes and a 400mm+ lens for birdlife

  • Heathland is fragile – stick to paths and avoid disturbing basking reptiles

Did you know?

Heathlands like Crooksbury Hill are among the UK’s rarest habitats. Without regular management (including controlled grazing and scrub removal), these areas would revert to woodland, endangering species like the sand lizard and nightjar.