Peaslake Wetland Project (Hurtwood)

The Peaslake Wetland Project is part of the Hurtwood, a 3,000-acre area of common land maintained by the Friends of the Hurtwood. The project aims to enhance biodiversity and provide sustainable land management for the benefit of the local community.

Hidden in a tranquil pocket of the Hurtwood near Peaslake, the Peaslake Wetland Project is a small-scale habitat restoration site offering rich photographic rewards. Once a patch of damp woodland, it has been rewilded with seasonal pools, reed edges, and log piles to attract insects, amphibians, and birds. FeatherFrame includes this quiet gem for its close-up storytelling, quiet reflections, and the gentle invitation it extends to observe life at the edge of the water.

Amphibians, Damselflies, and Reflective Woodland Scenes

This is a reserve for patient eyes and macro lenses. Frogs, newts, and damselflies thrive in the shallow pools, while birds like wrens, robins, and blackcaps feed along the edges. Fallen trunks, mosses, and reeds create natural frames for intimate storytelling. FeatherFrame photographers are encouraged to slow down here—this is less about drama, more about the quiet presence of life unfolding within a restored microhabitat.

Best Times to Visit:

  • Spring: Frogspawn, early insects, and budding trees

  • Summer: Peak damselfly and dragonfly season, vibrant greens

  • Autumn: Fallen leaves, reflections, and soft woodland light

  • Winter: Bare branches, frozen pools, and structural compositions

Plan Your Visit

  • Parking available in Peaslake village (GU5 9RR), with a short woodland walk to the site

  • No formal paths—expect uneven ground and damp underfoot conditions

  • Best gear: macro lens, tripod for still work, 300mm+ for shy birds

  • FeatherFrame tip: kneel low at the pool edge to photograph reflections and watch for frogs or newts peeking through the water’s surface

Did you know?

The Peaslake Wetland Project is a community-driven initiative restoring forgotten wet woodland to support declining amphibians and invertebrates. It’s a fine example of how micro-rewilding can bring back biodiversity, even in tucked-away corners of the countryside. FeatherFrame celebrates this project for its quiet success—and for reminding us that even small wild places matter.