Fraser Down

This wonderful chalk grassland reserve is situated next to Dawcombe and Betchworth Quarry (also owned by Surrey Wildlife Trust).

SWT has managed and restored habitats, particularly chalk grassland, at the neighbouring reserves of Dawcombe and Betchworth Quarry for many years. Joining up reserves is important in providing viable habitat for some of the rarer species such as the silver spotted skipper butterfly which is found on Betchworth and Dawcombe.  This is known as the ‘Living Landscapes’ approach to managing land i.e. creating larger, inter-connected areas, so that species can move through the landscape.  The Trust now manages most of the stretch of the North Downs that runs from Duke's Plantation (owned by Surrey County Council) in the west, to Dawcombe in the East.

The small amount of woodland on the reserve is also important, much of it being yew - an important feature of the North Downs and our longest living species of native tree - with folklore and pagan associations.  Woodland management concentrates on reducing the spread of invasive non-native species and retaining dead wood habitats for invertebrates, fungi and bats.

Access to the reserve is off Pebble Hill Road (B2032), near Dorking.