The Moors, Nutfield Marshes

A complex of wetland reserves, including The Moors, Spynes Mere, and Holmethorpe Lagoons, supporting a myriad of birdlife and aquatic insects.

Tucked away in the Nutfield Marshes complex near Redhill, The Moors is a reed-fringed wetland reserve with quiet pools, open skies, and a thriving bird community. Managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust, this lowland floodplain offers excellent year-round opportunities to photograph ducks, herons, and warblers amid changing light and water textures. FeatherFrame features The Moors as a peaceful, close-focus location ideal for bird photography, wetlands composition, and capturing seasonal transitions in soft detail.

Wetland Birds, Reed Beds, and Still Reflections

The shallow waters and dense reed margins make The Moors a haven for little grebes, reed buntings, coots, moorhens, and the occasional snipe or egret. Spring and summer bring the melodic chatter of reed and sedge warblers, while winter offers minimalist frames of lone waterbirds and frost-lined stems. FeatherFrame recommends The Moors for photographers seeking slow, patient storytelling—perfect for capturing behaviour, light ripple, and the soft layers of marshland habitat.

Best Times to Visit:

  • Spring: Warbler song, new growth, nesting behaviour

  • Summer: Reflections, insect life, and vibrant greens

  • Autumn: Golds and browns, low sun angles, quiet stillness

  • Winter: Misty water scenes, bare reeds, and solitary bird portraits

Plan Your Visit

  • Nearest access via Cormongers Lane (RH1 4ER), limited roadside parking

  • Easy walking along flat trails and ditches, but may be boggy after rain

  • Best gear: 400mm+ lens for waterbirds, wide or 85mm for layered reeds and reflections

  • FeatherFrame tip: for best results, arrive just after sunrise—watch for backlit reed warblers and perfect mirrored scenes when the wind is still

Did you know?

Nutfield Marshes were once heavily drained and farmed but are now being restored to natural floodplain habitats. The Moors is part of a larger project returning wetland biodiversity to Surrey, providing essential feeding grounds for declining species. FeatherFrame includes this site as a celebration of ecological renewal and the subtle beauty of wetland storytelling.