Whitmoor & Rickford Commons

An extensive area of heathland and woodland, home to a variety of rare and protected species.

Just outside Guildford, Whitmoor & Rickford Commons form a broad mosaic of lowland heath, boggy hollows, and young birch woodland—a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust. This open, sandy terrain offers sweeping views, rare species, and year-round potential for storytelling. FeatherFrame includes this reserve for its dynamic birdlife, vibrant habitat textures, and the contrast it offers to Surrey’s more wooded sites. Here, every rustle might be a dartford warbler, and every open path a canvas for golden light.

Heathland Specialists, Reptiles, and Big Sky Compositions

Whitmoor is one of the few remaining strongholds for heathland specialists like stonechats, woodlarks, and dartford warblers. Look out for hobbies hunting in summer, or roe deer crossing early morning tracks. The shifting textures of heather, bracken, and birch saplings provide both drama and softness. FeatherFrame photographers are drawn here for its balance of intimacy and scale—where you can shoot both small detail and wide, breathing landscapes in a single outing.

Best Times to Visit:

  • Spring: Singing warblers, courtship displays, fresh heather greens

  • Summer: Reptiles basking, dragonflies, and open skies

  • Autumn: Warm hues in bracken and birch, foggy morning potential

  • Winter: Minimalism, frosty textures, and bold light contrasts

Plan Your Visit

  • Parking available off Salt Box Road (GU3 3LH) or near the Jolly Farmer pub

  • Open sandy tracks, some uneven or muddy in wet weather—light hiking gear recommended

  • Best gear: 400mm+ for birds and deer, wide-angle for habitat storytelling, macro for invertebrates and plants

  • FeatherFrame tip: for ethereal scenes, arrive early on misty days—watch for the sun breaking through birch trunks and heather

Did you know?

Lowland heath is one of the UK’s rarest and most threatened habitats, with over 80% lost in the past 200 years. Sites like Whitmoor are essential for species like the dartford warbler, which nearly went extinct in Britain. FeatherFrame includes this reserve to highlight Surrey’s heathland heritage and the silent beauty of these sun-soaked, open ecosystems.