Shere Woodlands (inc. West Hanger, Combe Bottom & Netley Plantation)

About the reserve

Shere Woodlands, including West Hanger, Combe Bottom and Netley Plantation, are on the scarp slope of the North Downs, so you would expect outstanding views across the Weald and Greensand Ridge. You might not be as well prepared for the amazing variety of animal and plant species that thrive in its woodland, chalk grassland and scrub.

In fact, Shere has something special for every season. In autumn the beech woods offer fantastic colour and the sheer range of trees is amazing, from cedar to cypress, from dogwood to yew. In winter the slopes are 2-3 degrees cooler than down in the valley, so the woodland gets more than its fair share of frost and snow. Despite being only a few miles from Guildford, it can feel like a wilderness. In spring the place fills with birdsong. And in summer you can barely move for the buzzing of dragonflies and the heady fragrance of marjoram.

Other notable plants include hemp agrimony, ragwort, St John’s wort, dog’s mercury, wild privet, bird’s nest orchid, verveine, agrimony, wild basil, dog rose, salad burnett and autumn gentian.

On a summer’s day you’re also likely to see a wide range of different butterflies, because of the variety of habitats. The Trust typically counts around 27 species a year, including meadow browns, silver-washed fritillaries, peacocks, red admirals, dark green fritillaries, brimstones, green hairstreaks, grizzled skippers and dingy skippers.

History plays a part in the rich diversity of species. The 1987 storm went straight up the valley and flattened lots of 250 year-old beech trees. Some big old trunks on inaccessible slopes have been going through a decaying process for over 30 years, which is great news for fungi and invertebrates – and the insects that feed on them.