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How a daily stroll led one local man to discover a rewarding volunteer role with the Conservators By Peter Taylor-Medhurst What began as daily dog walks on Banstead Commons has turned into a deeply rewarding creative adventure - one that has combined my love of photography, design, and the natural world in ways I could never have planned When I retired, I promised my wife that we wouldn’t take one of her son’s Labrador...
Read MoreButterfly season is one of the most spectacular sights on the Commons during the summer months, and there’s no better time to enjoy it than during the Big Butterfly Count Run by Butterfly Conservation, this nationwide survey returns from Friday 17 July to Sunday 9 August, inviting everyone to take part in the world’s largest butterfly survey Whether you’re a regular visitor to Banstead Commons or simply enjoy spending time outdoors,...
Read MoreWe are going ahead with tomorrow's Summer Butterfly Walk and look forward to welcoming you to Banstead Heath However, in light of the continued hot weather, and with tomorrow forecast to be the hottest day of the week, we would like to provide you with some important guidance: Bring plenty of water with you Take rest breaks where needed and sip water frequently to stay hydrated Dress appropriately for the heat—lightweight,...
Read MoreBanstead Commons is home to a rich variety of grassland, scrub, and woodland habitats that support a wide range of wildlife Ticks are a natural part of these environments and are commonly found in areas such as long grass, dense vegetation, and woodland edges While most tick bites are harmless, some ticks can carry infections such as Lyme disease Visitors are encouraged to take a few simple precautions to reduce the risk of bites while...
Read MoreManaging Ash Dieback on Banstead Commons Ash dieback is a serious fungal disease that is killing ash trees across Europe Over the past five years, Banstead Commons Conservators have been steadily removing the worst affected trees on our sites but now the disease has taken hold, and we are going to commence forestry work for the safety of our visitors and neighbours All Ash trees with significant decline that are next to boundaries,...
Read MoreDuring these final weeks of 2025, we want to take this opportunity to reflect on all we have accomplished together We are especially grateful for the steadfast dedication of volunteers who have supported us for many years, alongside the fresh enthusiasm of those newly joining our team We are delighted to share some of the highlights that have made this year so special Volunteers This year, we welcomed more volunteers and held...
Read MoreTo assist with enquiries and provide clarity, Banstead Commons Conservators (BCC) issue the following statement regarding the removal of three benches from The Sportsman on Thursday, 11 December Banstead Commons Conservators remain committed to supporting the presence of licensed benches on Banstead Commons for the benefit of patrons of The Sportsman Since April, the Conservators have been in ongoing communication with the publicans, their...
Read MoreBanstead Downs, one of Surrey’s most treasured chalk grasslands, has long been a haven for wildlife — and now, thanks to local volunteer Neil Gray, its natural wonders are being beautifully showcased online for everyone to enjoy Neil returned to the UK in retirement, having spent many years working as a Geologist in Africa and began visiting the Downs as a personal project to become reacquainted with the flora and fauna of the...
Read MoreOur staff and volunteer teams play a crucial role in carrying out essential land management duties in ways that are sensitive to the native wildlife of our Commons Our site management is in accordance with prescriptive management from Natural England and advice from Surrey Wildlife Trust as published in our ten year managment plans Each month, we focus our efforts on a different site Our volunteer work party programme is designed to...
Read MoreBanstead Commons are treasured natural spaces within our local community—a place where wildlife thrives and residents enjoy peaceful walks and scenic views But this special area is under threat from a growing problem: illegal green waste fly-tipping While it might seem harmless to dump garden clippings or prunings on the commons, this practice is not only illegal, it’s also ecologically damaging Green waste often contains invasive...
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