Location

Godalming, GU8 6LW

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Date Added:

July 24, 2021

Parking

We parked in The Moat car park, which is right by the lake at the start. It is free, but there is a voluntary payment scheme - see signs.

Terrain

Quite a flat walk with no climbs, no stiles. Lots of sandy and muddy paths, some of which are quite boggy and very uneven in places.

Water

Since visiting have been advised that dogs going into any water or ponds is discouraged to it being a nature reserve! Also watch out as there are water spots that you can see, and are signs warning of deep bogs.

Poo Bins

General Waste bin in the car park.

Local Info

Is a National Nature Reserve. The area suffered a huge wildfire in May 2020, with some of the devastation still clearly visible when we visited.

Walk Distance:

6.5km

Date Walk Added:

July 24, 2021
Click for route map
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Author Review

*Please see update below from warden:

We loved this walk, it's un unusual landscape with beautiful wild grasses and flowers throughout the heathland. Through the centre there is an elevated decked path through the bogs, but at time of visiting these sections were all closed off to the public.

This didn't have any negative affect on our walk though other than it being a little longer than we planned, but there's still lots to see and plenty of space to roam.

Heading past the lake from the car park we joined the route going straight into the nature reserve, and essentially just took the first right turn we came to at every opportunity to create our route.

Hank was off the lead for most of the way as you have a good distance of visibility for any concerns. We were pleasantly surprised with how quiet it was on a Saturday afternoon, we only came across a few other walkers. There are grazing cows here, but they are cordoned off in electric fenced pens and only in a couple of relatively small sections. We did see a horse rider too, and a deer sprinting by which luckily Hank completely missed as he was off lead at the time!

*March 2023 Update: From Natural England Warden

Dog walkers are welcome on the common but since lockdown numbers have increased hugely. This has been especially evident since the new boardwalk has opened last month.

Thursley Common is a nature reserve under the care of Natural England and is recognised as an Internationally important wetland and peat bog. It is home to many critically endangered species. Since the devastating fire in 2020 great care has been taken by the Warden and his team to help restore the habitat and build wildlife numbers.With this in mind there is guidance that asks for all dogs to be kept on leads in the bird nesting season which starts on 1st March and runs to September. This is to protect ground nesting species of birds which can easily be disturbed by loose running dogs and also other rare birds including Dartford Warblers for whom the common is an important breeding site.

In addition, regarding the new boardwalk, the the guidance is that all dogs be kept on short leads and not enter the water surrounding the boardwalk or indeed the other ponds on the common. This is to protect critically endangered dragonflies and invertebrates which breed in the many wet areas. Many commonly used Flea and Tick treatments given to dogs are very detrimental to the environment and especially water ways. There is also a safety concern about loose dogs on the boardwalk as it has been designed to be safe for everyone to enjoy, including those with disabilities. There are plenty of signs asking owners to keep their dogs on leads during the breeding season both on and off the boardwalk and compliance with this guidance is very much appreciated. Please also be aware that adders are common particularly in the summer months.

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