Horsell Common

Horsell Common is a 355-hectare open space featuring diverse habitats including heathland, woodland, and meadows. Managed by the Horsell Common Preservation Society, it is part of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area and supports a wide range of wildlife. The area is also notable for its connection to H.G. Wells’ “The War of the Worlds,” with the Sandpit being the fictional landing site of the Martians.

Sprawling across 880 acres of open heath, woodland, and wetlands, Horsell Common is a diverse landscape just northwest of Woking. Its unique mix of habitats and its claim to sci-fi fame—being the fictional landing site of The War of the Worlds—make it one of Surrey’s most iconic wild spaces. FeatherFrame includes Horsell Common for its variety, accessibility, and rich opportunities to explore light, texture, and wildlife in one outing.

Heathland Birds, Light Rays, and Moody Pines

Horsell’s open heath is home to stonechats, linnets, and green woodpeckers, while the pinewood edges host jays, deer, and long-tailed tits. Early morning fog drifting through the trees offers cinematic lighting, and in summer, the heather blooms into seas of purple. FeatherFrame photographers love Horsell for its atmospheric versatility—from misty woodland storytelling to graphic silhouettes and bright heathland textures.

Best Times to Visit:

  • Spring: Birdsong, fresh greens, and dappled forest light

  • Summer: Heather in full bloom, dragonflies, and long golden hours

  • Autumn: Pine fog, fungi photography, and warm tonal shifts

  • Winter: Moody light, skeletal trees, and quiet birdlife

Plan Your Visit

  • Free parking available off Shores Road and Monument Road (GU21 4HQ)

  • Extensive trail network, but some sandy paths can be tough after rain

  • Best gear: 70–200mm for woodland scenes, 400mm+ for heathland birds, wide-angle for pines and landscapes

  • FeatherFrame tip: arrive at sunrise—fog through pine trunks creates dramatic contrast that’s gone by 8 AM on clear days

Did you know?

Horsell Common is one of only a few privately owned commons in England and is managed by a charity to preserve its rare heathland and wet habitats. It’s part of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area, safeguarding nesting birds like nightjars and woodlarks. FeatherFrame highlights Horsell not just for its drama and diversity—but for its role in protecting one of the UK’s most threatened habitats.