Horsell Common

Name: Codi
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Curated by Amelia Finn and 2 others

Horsell Common is a cherished pocket of Nature just south of London, home to a rich diversity of heathland, woodland, a small wetland, and home to birds such as the Dartford Warbler, along with animals like deer, moles and rarely, badger.

Walker in forest Horsell Common Phill Pullinger

About the region Articles about Horsell Common Conservation Things to Do Nature Community

About the region

A pocket of wildness at the edge of London

Horsell Common, located south of London, has a rich and diverse range of heathland habitats, from open stretches of heathland and acidic grasses to bogs, heathland ponds, and shady woodland to build dens in. The Common supports a variety of plants and animals, with several local and rare species calling it home.

With two Bronze Age burial sites dating to between 2500 - 700 BC, a peaceful memorial garden to Muslim soldiers, and the landing site of the Martians in ‘The War of the Worlds’ all sitting within Horsell Common, this pocket of nature is rich with history, as well as flora and fauna.

Horsell Common is owned by the Horsell Common Preservation Society (HCPS), who work diligently to protect and rejuvenate this area. Much of the information used in this field guide is courtesy of HCPS.

For more information or to donate to their cause, please visit the Horsell Common Preservation Society website.

Heathland dog walking

Red Fox - a cheeky Common local

The Dartford Warbler - an important bird of the common

Horsell Common Woodland

Autumn light Horsell Common Phill Pullinger

Autumn at The Sandpit

The sun shining down on the Common

Grandparent and child Horsell Common Phill Pullinger

Child walking in Horsell Common

Badger - a rare Horsell Common visitor

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Articles about Horsell Common

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The Peace Garden

The Peace Garden was originally the site of 27 graves of Muslim Indian Soldiers, who died in the two world wars.

'The Fallen Star'

The Sandpit is famous for its role in 'The War of the Worlds', serving as the site where 'the fallen star' lands.

The Home of the Martians - video by Richard Vobes

Watch an insightful video about Horsell Common and the Sandpit, the setting for H. G. Wells' 'The War of the Worlds'

A place to call home

I have lived by Horsell Common all my life. Today, pockets of nature such as this one are vital to fostering a love for the...

Scott walsh red fox unsplash

Conservation

Nurturing a precious patch of Green

Holding onto precious Nature

Holding onto, nurturing and restoring Natural heritage at the edge of a city of more than 10 million people, is incredibly challenging but crucial.

A large part of Horsell Common has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The open heathland areas form part of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA), under the terms of the European Birds Directive.

This pocket of nature is of European importance for supporting breeding populations of three bird species: Nightjar, Woodlark and Dartford Warbler. There are also meadows by the River Bourne, the wetlands area at Heather Farm, and woodlands, which all host a diverse range of species.

Conservation efforts for Horsell Common

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A fledgling Dartford Warbler spotted

On 3 May 2025, a fledgling Dartford Warbler was spotted learning how to fly amongst the heather on Horsell Common.

Grazing Belted Galloway Cattle Alistair Finn

Belted Galloway Cattle: Protectors of the Heather

These cattle graze in the grassland of the Common, eating fauna that would otherwise threaten the heather.

Doncoombez NF dartford warbler unsplash

Nature

Horsell Common: Home to precious Birds, Insects, Wildlife, Habitat

Horsell Common is a precious and critically important patch of Nature at the outskirts of London. London is a heaving city of more than 10 million people, the heart of England's financial district. Millions of people live busy, stressful lives where their ability to connect with the Natural world is limited.

This is why a precious patch of Nature, like the wonderful Horsell Common, is so important.

Horsell Common is home to many different important bird species, including the wonderful Dartford Warbler, the Nightjar and the Woodlark.

Animals such as the roe deer, moles, the red fox, and rarely, badgers and hedgehogs, also are found to frequent the wonderful common.

Important habitat types from heathland, to wetland, the sandpits, and areas of woodland and picturesque rivulets also provide habitat to a rich myriad of plant and insect species.

The species of Horsell Common

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The Stonechat

The stonechat favours the heathers and gorse bushes, and can be spotted in the same areas as the Dartford warbler.

The Woodlark

The Woodlark prefers open, dry habitats.

The Nightjar

This elusive, nocturnal hunting bird is a resident of Horsell Common during the spring and summer months.

The Dartford Warbler

An endangered species, this ground-nesting bird makes its home amongst the thick heather.

Community

A pocket of Nature's dearly loved by Londoners

The community in and around Horsell Common treasure this special patch of Nature.

Walkers, birders, Naturalists and people wanting to connect with the Natural world from the local villages, London and beyond, have a deep connection with this very special place.