Newdigate Brickworks Nature Reserve

The clay pits of this former brickworks are now lakes and ponds which provide habitats for great crested newts and dragonflies.

Transformed from its industrial past, Newdigate Brickworks Nature Reserve is a striking example of nature reclaiming space. This Surrey Wildlife Trust site features a network of ponds, grassy scrub, young woodland, and bare clay slopes—now teeming with birds, dragonflies, and wildflowers. FeatherFrame highlights this site as a dynamic location where biodiversity thrives in textured, contrast-rich environments. It’s a rare chance to photograph wildlife in a setting shaped by both history and renewal.

Dragonflies, Wetland Birds, and Rich Habitat Layers

With over 20 species of dragonflies recorded, Newdigate is a magnet for macro photography in summer. Warblers, tits, and finches move through the scrub, while herons and moorhens patrol the ponds. The bare banks and open water create bold compositions, especially in early or late light. FeatherFrame photographers love this reserve for its edge-habitat drama—where rough textures meet soft reeds and still reflections.

Best Times to Visit:

  • Spring: New blooms, warblers, and nesting birds

  • Summer: Peak dragonfly activity, dense textures, and warm light

  • Autumn: Scrubland colours, seedheads, and calm water scenes

  • Winter: Frosted landscapes, structural silhouettes, and moody light

Plan Your Visit

  • Free parking available near Newdigate village (RH5 5BX) with clear access signs

  • Some uneven paths and slopes—wear sturdy footwear

  • Best gear: macro lens for insects, 300–500mm for birds, wide lens for habitat shots

  • FeatherFrame tip: spend time watching the pond edges—dragonflies perch briefly and return to the same twig or reed repeatedly

Did you know?

Former industrial sites like Newdigate Brickworks can become biodiversity hotspots when left to rewild. The disturbed soils and mixed terrain support a unique blend of species not found in more managed habitats. FeatherFrame includes this reserve to remind us that beauty—and ecological richness—often grows in the margins.