Heath, Chalk, and Woodland
Headley Heath covers some 530 acres on the North Downs between Epsom and Dorking. It is a geologically distinct landscape where acidic heathland meets chalk downland, creating an unusual mosaic of habitats within a compact area. Open heather and gorse give way to species-rich chalk grassland, which in turn transitions to mixed woodland of oak, birch, and hazel.
The chalk grassland is exceptionally diverse. More than 20 plant species can grow in a single square metre, including common-spotted orchids, rock rose, wild thyme, and potentilla. The invertebrate life is equally rich – butterflies include the chalkhill blue, Adonis blue, and Duke of Burgundy fritillary.
A Wartime Training Ground
Headley Heath has a military history that many visitors do not expect. In the years leading up to D-Day, the Canadian armed forces used the heath for tank and combat training. The area known as The Pyramids takes its name from the ammunition stores that were stacked here during the war. Earlier, during the Second World War, the heath was used to train agents for the Special Operations Executive.
Conservation
The majority of the heath was given to the National Trust in 1946. The heathland is man-made in origin, created centuries ago when forests were cleared for farming and the poor sandy soil supported heather rather than crops. Maintaining it requires active management – grazing, scrub clearance, and controlled burning – to prevent woodland from reclaiming the open ground. The site is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is one of the largest remaining areas of lowland heath in Surrey.
