Bay Pond

There is restricted access to this reserve. Please contact Surrey Wildlife Trust Education Department for further information - 01372 379509.

This popular reserve features a 2.4 hectare (6 acre) lake surrounded by hay meadows, except on the south side, which is bordered by a public path and has an observation platform. On the eastern side of the pond there is a mature alder swamp and good areas of typical marginal vegetation.

The area is particularly good for birds, which can be observed from the lakeside bird hide.

A number of dragonflies can be found here including blue-tailed damselfly, brown hawker and the southern hawker, as well as other insects associated with freshwater.

The area was originally part of the grounds of Godstone Place and the lake may have been used to hold back water for a mill in conjunction with other lakes downstream. Bay Pond itself is believed to have been made about 1611. The pond was dredged in 1986 after heavy siltation.

The former stables and milk sheds have been converted for use by school groups as the reserve is one of SWT’s four Educational Nature Reserves. Behind the White Hart Inn - which is adjacent to the site – there is a wild flower meadow which is alive with all kinds of invertebrates during the summer.

The reserve was kindly donated to Surrey Wildlife Trust by the late Miss E J Lindley in 1965.

Location: Located behind the White Hart Hotel in Godstone village. A footpath runs eastwards from the hotel via the village hall and gives a good view across the lake. Access to the reserve is via a path at the side of Godstone Place off the A22.

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