High on the North Downs
Ranmore Common sits on the crest of the North Downs between Dorking and Guildford, a broad expanse of woodland and open grassland at the heart of the Surrey Hills AONB. The National Trust has owned 450 acres here since 1959, managed as part of the Polesden Lacey estate. A further 134-acre acquisition of Ashcombe Woods brought the Trust's total holding to over 580 acres.
The common is crossed by the North Downs Way, the long-distance trail that runs 153 miles from Farnham to Dover. Walkers on the Way pass through Ranmore's beech and oak woodland, with views south across the Weald on clear days. The common is also popular with cyclists and horse riders, and several trails connect Ranmore to Polesden Lacey, Denbies Hillside, and Box Hill.
Woodland and Grassland
The woodland is predominantly beech and oak, with silver birch, holly, and yew in the understorey. Ashcombe Woods, the most recent acquisition, contains native broadleaf woodland and areas of heath and rough pasture. In spring, bluebells carpet the woodland floor. In summer, the chalk grassland margins support orchids, wild thyme, and marjoram, attracting butterflies including the chalkhill blue and silver-washed fritillary.
Ranmore is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, reflecting the quality and variety of its habitats. The combination of mature woodland, open common, and chalk grassland within a single site makes it one of the most ecologically diverse places on the North Downs.
