About the reserve

Managed with the help of volunteers from the The Friends of Ashtead Rye Meadows Wetlands, this grassland site spans the Rye brook, which rises east of Ashtead and flows into the River Mole near Leatherhead.

In decades gone by, urban & agricultural development had a detrimental effect on the Rye Brook, with the result that it supported little wildlife and periodically flooded local houses. 

Over 14 years, volunteers have created a regenerated wetland area alongside the Rye Brook, planted a new woodland, reshaped river banks and created ponds and scrapes to enhance and restore the local biodiversity.

In addition to several made-paths which are suitable for pushchairs, the site also features a short boardwalk and a woodland trail.

In 2025 the Meadows were generously gifted to Surrey Wildlife Trust by the previous owners George and Daphne Burnett. Surrey Wildlife Trust is now continuing with the original vision of Daphne Burnett to create a wildlife haven in Ashtead and establish a corridor between Ashtead Common and Leatherhead Common.