As we head into autumn, our project to restore the ponds at Yalden Spring and create an even better home for local wildlife is well underway.
Continue reading “Yalden Spring Restoration – Project Update”
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I'm a PR consultant, copywriter, social media manager and blog editor.
I grew up in South East England, but have lived in France, Italy, Australia and in the beautiful Lecrin Valley near Granada in Spain. Now I work from home in the pretty village of #Limpsfield, Surrey, surrounded by the rolling hills of the North Downs and the hum of the M25!
Friends of Limpsfield Common – Annual Public Meeting 12th September 2026
We’re pleased to invite you to the Friends of Limpsfield Common Annual Public Meeting, taking place on Saturday, 12th September 2026, at St Andrew’s Hall, from 11:30am to 1:15pm, followed by refreshments.
Continue reading “Friends of Limpsfield Common – Annual Public Meeting 12th September 2026”
Please welcome our new Ranger, Ben Smith
Please welcome Ben Smith, new Ranger for the National Trust’s Surrey Hills East team, covering Limpsfield Common (amongst other areas).
Ben spent ten years preparing for a change of career from the corporate world into conservation, managing a full-time job and childcare responsibilities, whilst volunteering regularly with larger charitable and municipal organisations. He’s built dead hedges for the London Wildlife Trust, dug a pond for the Mayor of London/Lambeth Council’s ‘Clapham Common Wetlands’ project and planted scrub for Wandsworth Council’s biodiversity team. Each session was a step towards a career in conservation and helping to make a difference on a larger scale.
Ben has an interesting and diverse skill set, honed over 20 years of managing an international team of financial writers. This has given him extensive experience in training, performance management and budgeting, as well as acting as the external face of the company, dealing with enquiries, comments and complaints – all valuable experience when it comes to working with local residents and stakeholders.
Most importantly he brings a genuine passion for the natural world to his new role, and is keen to share that passion with others. Recently, he gave the newly elected Leader of his borough council a tour of the local park to explain the work they were doing to improve biodiversity. He has also given regular natural history talks for the park’s ‘Friends’ group on subjects including ‘How to Garden for Wildlife’ and ‘Solitary Bees and their Conservation’, solitary bees and amphibians being two of his specialist subjects!
Ben will be spending the next month getting to know the Surrey Hills – the people, places and landscape. He’s already spent time with the Taskforce and aims fully operational in his new role by September.
Reminder: The Friends of Limpsfield Common Annual Public Meeting is on Saturday 12 September at St Andrew’s Hall, 1130! See you there. 🌿
Flytipping at Brick Kiln Lane
A quick note to say that the NT is aware of the fly tipping (roofing waste) at Brick Kiln Lane car park and its removal is being arranged.
They are also aware of the damage to the noticeboard there (possibly knocked over by a turning truck or overnight parked vehicle – prohibited in NT car parks).
Fly tipping is illegal, and a major problem for us, so if anyone witnessed anything, or has information, please email limpsfieldcommon@nationaltrust.org.uk. Thank you.
The NT carpentry volunteers from the Landbarn Farm Carpentry Workshop are currently repairing the noticeboard’s snapped leg. Once the repair is complete, the noticeboard will be reinstated. 
*UPDATE* we have additional information from another nearby council who have also experienced this and possibly by same perpetrator, as well as additional witness information on the truck. We will do all we can to enable the police to pursue this.
Join the Big Butterfly Count 2026 – 17 July to 9 August
The Big Butterfly Count 2026 starts this week, from Friday 17 July to 9 August.
Organised by Butterfly Conservation and much like the RSPB’s Big Garden Bird Watch, it aims to keep a track of the health of the UK’s butterfly population by collecting data from YOU, all around to country.
Continue reading “Join the Big Butterfly Count 2026 – 17 July to 9 August”
Hidden Treasure – Limpsfield Common’s Air Raid Shelters
Hidden beneath the peaceful woodland of Limpsfield Common, on the edge of the cricket pitch at Grub Street, lies one of the area’s most fascinating reminders of wartime Surrey — the Limpsfield Air Raid Shelters. This spring, the shelters once again captured the imagination of visitors as they opened to the public as part of this year’s Surrey Day celebrations on 9 May.
Continue reading “Hidden Treasure – Limpsfield Common’s Air Raid Shelters”
Burnt-out Car at New Road’s Bunny Patch
A quick update regarding the burnt-out car left in the “bunny patch” just beyond the National Trust Car Park New Road Limpsfield Common.
Continue reading “Burnt-out Car at New Road’s Bunny Patch”
FIKA Blends & Friends: New Pop-Up Café at Limpsfield Chart
We’re excited to welcome FIKA Blends & Friends, a charming new vintage horse box café, to our High Chart Car Park on Moorhouse Road, Limpsfield Chart. Opening on Thursday 17 April at 9am, this delightful pop-up will be serving fresh coffee, teas, and locally baked treats to visitors enjoying the beautiful surrounding countryside.
Continue reading “FIKA Blends & Friends: New Pop-Up Café at Limpsfield Chart”
Join in the National Trust Ranger Walks on Limpsfield Common! 🌿
Explore the beauty of Limpsfield Common with National Trust Ranger Conor McNeil on a series of guided walks running once or twice a month through to August! 🌳👣
Discover local wildlife, conservation efforts, and the rich history of these stunning landscapes. The first walk kicks off on Saturday, 12th April at High Chart (1-3pm), where you’ll learn about woodland management, Yalden Spring, and the historic use of the area. Meet by the noticeboard at High Chart Car Park (not Pinewood), on Moorhouse Road.
📅 Upcoming Walks:
🌲 April 12 – High Chart (1-3pm) | Woodland management & Yalden Spring
🍄 May 3 – Ridlands Grove (10-11 am * change in time) | Ancient woodland & biodiversity
🌾 June 7 – Happy Valley (1-2pm) | Heathland restoration & foraging
🌳 June 28 – High Chart (10-11am) | Conservation & local heritage
🍂 July 26 – Ridlands Grove (1-3pm) | Connectivity & flora/fauna
🐦 August 16 – West Heath (10-11am) | Biodiversity loss & garden escapes
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to learn and explore
More info:
April 12th – High Chart (1-3pm) – Meet by the noticeboard at High Chart Car Park (not Pinewood), on Moorhouse Road
- Woodland management
- Yalden Spring
- Historic use of High Chart
May 3rd – Ridlands Grove (10-11AM) – Meet by the noticeboard at Ridlands Grove Car Park, Ridlands Lane
- Ancient woodland
- Recreational pressures
- The importance of connectivity
- Flora, Fauna & Fungi
June 7th – Happy Valley (1-2pm) – Meet by the noticeboard at New Road Car Park, New Road
- Woodland management
- Heathland restoration
- Folklore & foraging
June 28th – High Chart (10-11am) – Meet by the noticeboard at High Chart Car Park, Moorhouse Road
- Woodland management
- Yalden Spring
- Historic use of High Chart
July 26th – Ridlands Grove (1-3pm) – Meet by the noticeboard at Ridlands Grove Car Park, Ridlands Lane
- Ancient woodland
- Recreational pressures
- The importance of connectivity
- Flora, Fauna & Fungi
August 16th – West Heath (10-11am) – Meet at the entrance to West Heath woods opposite Hazelwood School, Wolf’s Hill.
- Biodiversity loss
- Heathland restoration
- Impact of “garden escapes”
See you there!
Friends of Limpsfield Common Members Update – Spring 2025
Dear Members,
As always, we start with a huge thank you for your continued support. Your membership is vital in helping to maintain and protect Limpsfield Common. There’s already been lots going on in 2025 so here’s a quick update for you!
Stay Connected !
Have you seen our website, Facebook page, or local social media updates? These platforms keep you informed about what’s happening on the Common and the work of the Friends, the National Trust, and the Taskforce volunteers!
If you haven’t visited our website yet, check out the latest news and updates, as well as interesting articles on the work we and the National Trust / Taskforce do on the common (and why), plus lots of spotter guides for wildlife-watching on the Common! https://friendsoflimpsfieldcommon.org/
Dates for Your Diary
Air Raid Shelter Open Days – 10th May – Surrey Day (2-5 pm) and 20th July (2-4 pm)
Join our volunteer World War II Guides for a fascinating insight into this important local site. Learn about those stationed here, the experiences of local schoolchildren during air raids, and even what a Spigot Mortar is.
Reserve your place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-friends-of-limpsfield-common-106336121601
We will also be recording a special podcast with Visit Surrey all about Limpsfield in WW2. This will be broadcast on Surrey Day, 10th May via BBC Radio Surrey and then online on the Visit Surrey channel.
Chart Fair – Sunday 22nd June & Limpsfield Fête,Saturday 28th June
Come along to these popular local fairs, both 12-4pm. The Friends of Limpsfield Common, the National Trust, and the Parish Council will all have stalls—so stop by to say hello and find out more about our work in the community.
News!
FrogFest25! Did you manage to catch the frog spawning at Yalden Spring? Once again there was a fantastic attendance by frogs from far and wide. There is a lot of frogspawn in the pond, which we hope will survive to produce tadpoles. Watch the video here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1200884804981122
Great news for coffee lovers! This month, Fika Blends & Friends is rolling into the NT’s High Chart car park on Moorhouse Road. Founded by locals Cathryn Kelly and Rachel Scott-Taggart, with permission from the National Trust, their super cute horse trailer launches on Thursday 17th April and will be serving up delicious coffee Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays, and bank holiday Mondays (9am-1pm), plus Mondays in the school holidays. Perfect for walkers (dogs welcome!) or just your morning caffeine. Follow them on Insta @FIKA.blendsandfriends!
Litter pickers needed! We’re also looking for new “Guardians”—a dedicated group of volunteers who walk the Common, litter-picking as they go. Numbers have dropped recently, so if you’d like to help keep Limpsfield Common beautiful, please contact Peter Beard at pbeard_41saxbys@yahoo.co.uk .
The Most Important News: A Change in Leadership !
2025 has already brought big changes for the National Trust Limpsfield Common Local Committee, with Tony Pearson and Yves Le Hur stepping down from their roles.
Tony Pearson has retired as Chair after three years in the role and seven years on the committee. He has been instrumental in working with the National Trust to shape the management of the Common and overseeing the Friends of Limpsfield Common’s conservation efforts. A Limpsfield resident since 1974, Tony remains an active volunteer with the Taskforce, Air Raid Shelters team, and East Surrey Walkers.
Stepping into the role of Chair is Ann Osborn, who is also a joint leader of Limpsfield in Bloom and a Limpsfield Parish Councillor.
Yves Le Hur has also stepped down as Treasurer after seven years on the committee, five of which he served in the role—including a year as interim Chair. He is succeeded by Paul Sharp, a retired chartered accountant from Limpsfield.
We also extend a warm welcome to Pippa Rouse, who has taken on the role of Secretary.
Read a more detailed post on our website, https://friendsoflimpsfieldcommon.org/2025/02/28/changing-of-the-guard-at-friends-of-limpsfield-common/
And Finally…
Our Annual Public Meeting will be held on Saturday 27th September at St Andrew’s Hall, Limpsfield Chart. Please save the date—more details to follow.
Help Us Spread the Word
Our volunteer, Sophie Martin, has created a Friends of Limpsfield Common poster—could you share it locally or pass it on digitally to friends, family, or your community?
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.
