Horsell Common
This 880 acre common in Woking is a great place for a peaceful walk. There are miles of woodland walking paths, a number of Bronze Age barrows, wet areas, ponds and protected heathland. Look out for birdlife which includes nightjar, woodlark and Dartford warbler.
The common is famous for its sand pits which were used by H.G. Wells as the site of the first Martian landing in his novel The War of the Worlds.
To extend your walking in the area you can head to the pretty Goldsworth Park Lake or pick up the Basingstoke Canal.
Postcode
GU21 4HQ - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsPlease click here for more information
Horsell Common Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Horsell Common Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Horsell Common OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Horsell Common Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The Heather Farm Cafe is located on the common. They sell a delicous range of snacks and treats with afternoon tea also available. You can find them on Chobham Road with postcode GU21 4XY for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The common is a fine place for dog walking so you'll probably see plenty of other owners on your visit. They are not allowed in the fenced wetland area and easy access path around the pond and waterfowl nesting areas at Heather Farm. The Heather Farm Cafe mentioned above is dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
For more walking ideas in the area see the Surrey Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Car park and information board detailing the flora and fauna you can see at the site.
Danewell Pond on Horsell Common. Fresh foliage of oak and birch on trees around the lake.
Heathland and birch tree, Horsell Common
Pond and sandpit - site for "The War of the Worlds" by H.G. Wells, a "shooting star" falls:
“"It'’s out on Horsell Common now.” “Good Lord!” said Henderson. “Fallen meteorite! That’s good.” But it’s something more than a meteorite. It’s a cylinder --an artificial cylinder, man! And there’s something inside.”"
Clearing in the woods
Woking's Martian. Close-up detail of the metal sculpture in Chobham Road, Woking.
Gorse on the common.
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Peace Memorial Garden. Refurbished 2015, this garden was formerly known as the Muslim Burial Ground and dedicated to all the Muslim soldiers of the British Indian Army who died in WW1 and WW2.