Hindhead Common

Wood, Forest in Surrey Waverley

England

Hindhead Common

Hindhead Common Pine trees and a clearing near the visitor centre at the Devil's Punch Bowl.
Hindhead Common Credit: Ian Taylor

Hindhead Common, located in Surrey, England, is a picturesque and expansive woodland area that covers approximately 800 acres. It is situated on the western edge of the South Downs National Park and is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty and rich biodiversity. This ancient landscape is a haven for wildlife and offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in nature.

The common is predominantly covered in a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees, including oak, beech, birch, and pine, which create a dense and diverse forest. The woodland floor is blanketed with a carpet of wildflowers during the spring and summer months, adding bursts of vibrant colors to the area. Numerous walking trails crisscross the common, offering visitors a chance to explore its hidden corners and discover its natural treasures.

Hindhead Common is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, badgers, and a wide range of bird species. Nature enthusiasts can often spot buzzards soaring above the treetops, while the lucky few may even catch a glimpse of the elusive red kite, which has made a successful comeback in recent years.

The common also holds historical significance, as it was once part of the ancient forest of Woolmer and has been used for centuries as a common grazing area for local livestock. Today, it is managed by the National Trust and is a popular destination for walkers, hikers, and nature lovers who seek tranquility and a connection with the natural world.

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Hindhead Common Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.119454/-0.72239743 or Grid Reference SU8936. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Hindhead Common Pine trees and a clearing near the visitor centre at the Devil's Punch Bowl.
Hindhead Common
Pine trees and a clearing near the visitor centre at the Devil's Punch Bowl.
Devil's Punch Bowl Looking down into the natural bowl.
Devil's Punch Bowl
Looking down into the natural bowl.
Flush bracket S1535 On the trig point on Gibbet Hill (272m). See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6696717">SU8935 : Gibbet Hill</a>.
Flush bracket S1535
On the trig point on Gibbet Hill (272m). See SU8935 : Gibbet Hill.
Valley at Highcomb Looking across the valley, north of the Devil's Punch Bowl.
Valley at Highcomb
Looking across the valley, north of the Devil's Punch Bowl.
Pitlands Farm Grade II listed building - <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1240826" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1240826">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Pitlands Farm
Grade II listed building - LinkExternal link
Celtic cross Celtic cross on the summit of Gibbet Hill, erected in 1851 by Sir William Erle near the site of the gallows which were used to hang three sailors who in 1786  had murdered another while he was on his way to Portsmouth.  Grade II listed  - see <span class="nowrap"><a title="www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1260847" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1260847">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>.
Celtic cross
Celtic cross on the summit of Gibbet Hill, erected in 1851 by Sir William Erle near the site of the gallows which were used to hang three sailors who in 1786 had murdered another while he was on his way to Portsmouth. Grade II listed - see LinkExternal link.
Gibbet Hill Trig point on the summit of Gibbet Hill, with the North Downs in the centre background and Leith Hill to their right.  Although not apparent in this photo, very clear conditions on this occasion meant that the City of London skyscrapers could be seen through the Wey Gap, left of centre, a distance of almost 40 miles.
Gibbet Hill
Trig point on the summit of Gibbet Hill, with the North Downs in the centre background and Leith Hill to their right. Although not apparent in this photo, very clear conditions on this occasion meant that the City of London skyscrapers could be seen through the Wey Gap, left of centre, a distance of almost 40 miles.
Byway, Devil's Punchbowl Byway above the Devil's Punch Bowl, giving an alternative route for traffic prohibited from using the A3 Hindhead Tunnel.
Byway, Devil's Punchbowl
Byway above the Devil's Punch Bowl, giving an alternative route for traffic prohibited from using the A3 Hindhead Tunnel.
Old A3, Devil's Punch Bowl Part of the route of the former A3 above the Devil's Punch Bowl, restored to nature following the opening of the Hindhead Tunnel in 2011.
Old A3, Devil's Punch Bowl
Part of the route of the former A3 above the Devil's Punch Bowl, restored to nature following the opening of the Hindhead Tunnel in 2011.
Old A3, Devil's Punch Bowl Part of the route of the former A3 above the Devil's Punch Bowl, restored to nature following the opening of the Hindhead Tunnel in 2011.
Old A3, Devil's Punch Bowl
Part of the route of the former A3 above the Devil's Punch Bowl, restored to nature following the opening of the Hindhead Tunnel in 2011.
Devil's Punch Bowl Looking along the rim of the Devil's Punch Bowl, with part of the route of the former A3 in the background, restored to nature following the opening of the Hindhead Tunnel in 2011.
Devil's Punch Bowl
Looking along the rim of the Devil's Punch Bowl, with part of the route of the former A3 in the background, restored to nature following the opening of the Hindhead Tunnel in 2011.
Devil's Punch Bowl Looking across the Devil's Punch Bowl.
Devil's Punch Bowl
Looking across the Devil's Punch Bowl.
Looking westwards along London Road Without doubt the biggest event in Hindhead's history was the building of the Hindhead Tunnel, before which this was a notorious bottleneck on the A3. Without doubt the biggest event in the UK was the death of Queen Elizabeth II after 70 years on the throne; although new Prime Minister Liz Truss and her chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng ran it close by introducing a "fiscal event" that saw markets react negatively and wipe out any benefits. On the world stage, Vladimir Putin held spurious referendums in 4 areas he had won from Ukraine, and announced that these would now be part of Russia in perpetuity. The Italians and Swedes chose parties of the right to form their next governments. And in outer space, NASA crashed a spacecraft into an asteroid to see if this could be done if it were ever really needed.
Looking westwards along London Road
Without doubt the biggest event in Hindhead's history was the building of the Hindhead Tunnel, before which this was a notorious bottleneck on the A3. Without doubt the biggest event in the UK was the death of Queen Elizabeth II after 70 years on the throne; although new Prime Minister Liz Truss and her chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng ran it close by introducing a "fiscal event" that saw markets react negatively and wipe out any benefits. On the world stage, Vladimir Putin held spurious referendums in 4 areas he had won from Ukraine, and announced that these would now be part of Russia in perpetuity. The Italians and Swedes chose parties of the right to form their next governments. And in outer space, NASA crashed a spacecraft into an asteroid to see if this could be done if it were ever really needed.
Advertising board in London Road It shows pupils from Churcher's College which celebrates its 300th anniversary this year. Richard Churcher made his fortune with the East India Company.

Every month on the last day, I record the most prominent deaths in the UK and beyond. One death overshadowed all others, that of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second on the 8th of September at 3:10pm.

Others to depart were: 1st September 2022, boxing legend Earnie Shavers; 2nd September, ASWAD's Drummie Zeb; 6th, armed robber turned author, John McVicar; 8th, Grange Hill's headteacher Mrs McCluskie, actress Gwyneth Powell; 15th, Rugby legend, Eddie Butler; 22nd, Wolf Hall author Hilary Mantel; 23rd the nasty nurse in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' Louise Fletcher; and on the 28th, US Rapper Coolio.
Advertising board in London Road
It shows pupils from Churcher's College which celebrates its 300th anniversary this year. Richard Churcher made his fortune with the East India Company. Every month on the last day, I record the most prominent deaths in the UK and beyond. One death overshadowed all others, that of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second on the 8th of September at 3:10pm. Others to depart were: 1st September 2022, boxing legend Earnie Shavers; 2nd September, ASWAD's Drummie Zeb; 6th, armed robber turned author, John McVicar; 8th, Grange Hill's headteacher Mrs McCluskie, actress Gwyneth Powell; 15th, Rugby legend, Eddie Butler; 22nd, Wolf Hall author Hilary Mantel; 23rd the nasty nurse in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' Louise Fletcher; and on the 28th, US Rapper Coolio.
Dawn breaks at the old BMW Garage in London Road This month has been mostly pleasant, weather wise. The hot spell promised for early September never materialised. Mostly it was warm and still. Towards the end of the month we caught the tail end of Hurricane Ian. The official Met Office summary is here <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/weather/learn-about/uk-past-events/summaries/uk_monthly_climate_summary_202209.pdf" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/weather/learn-about/uk-past-events/summaries/uk_monthly_climate_summary_202209.pdf">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Dawn breaks at the old BMW Garage in London Road
This month has been mostly pleasant, weather wise. The hot spell promised for early September never materialised. Mostly it was warm and still. Towards the end of the month we caught the tail end of Hurricane Ian. The official Met Office summary is here LinkExternal link
Devil's Punch Bowl - Toadstool Red, waxy-looking toadstool, ca 3 inches high, in the grass beside a footpath.
Devil's Punch Bowl - Toadstool
Red, waxy-looking toadstool, ca 3 inches high, in the grass beside a footpath.
Devil's Punch Bowl - Viewpoint New wooden signposts for "Hidden Hindhead" and the "Sailor's Stroll" at the head of this large natural amphitheatre by Hindhead.
Devil's Punch Bowl - Viewpoint
New wooden signposts for "Hidden Hindhead" and the "Sailor's Stroll" at the head of this large natural amphitheatre by Hindhead.
Hindhead - Former A3 Gorse-lined footpath offering panoramic views westwards over the Devil's Punch Bowl.
Hindhead - Former A3
Gorse-lined footpath offering panoramic views westwards over the Devil's Punch Bowl.
Show me another place!

Hindhead Common is located at Grid Ref: SU8936 (Lat: 51.119454, Lng: -0.72239743)

Administrative County: Surrey

District: Waverley

Police Authority: Surrey

What 3 Words

///compress.workouts.inefficient. Near Hindhead, Surrey

Nearby Locations

Hindhead Common

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.119454,-0.72239743
Devil's Punch Bowl
Place: locality
Source: npe
Wikidata: Q5267212
Wikipedia: en:Devil's Punch Bowl
Lat/Long: 51.1188711/-0.7265031
Barrier: bollard
Lat/Long: 51.123702/-0.7200772
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 51.1188747/-0.7165335
541
Man Made: survey_point
Note: This is a small brass like disc in the path
Lat/Long: 51.1174259/-0.7164574
Natural: spring
Source Natural: survey
Lat/Long: 51.1177056/-0.7288832
Barrier: bollard
Lat/Long: 51.1213812/-0.7202938
Bench
Backrest: no
Direction: 220
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 51.1176717/-0.7187484
Bench
Backrest: no
Direction: 210
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 51.1174812/-0.7184663
Barrier: cattle_grid
Lat/Long: 51.1212407/-0.7202632
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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