Abinger Roughs nature walk
Abinger Roughs has a long history – from the Stone Age to Charles Darwin, the famous naturalist, who walked on the Roughs in the 1870s. Follow in Darwin's footsteps and discover more about the history and wildlife here.
Total steps: 7
Total steps: 7
Start point
Abinger Roughs car park. Grid reference: TQ110480.
Step 1
Start the walk by heading out of the car park, through the gap in the fence opposite the notice board. Look out for the green nature trail marker post.
Step 2
Walk past the natural play area and then follow the path as it bends round to the right and begins to descend. The Scots pine here is a native British tree which loves the sandy soil.
Step 3
Continue to walk down the slope and down to a small copse at a low point reached over a trackway. There is an old well here that was dug to provide water for cattle and horses. We have now fenced it off to prevent accidents. Look around here to spot an unusual grafting of an American ash tree onto an English ash. Follow the left-hand path up the hill and then round to the left. You'll go through some holly and then come out into an open glade.
Step 4
This open glade is a lovely spot for a picnic or a game of frisbee or football. The grassland here supports lots of insects and butterflies. When you're ready to continue, walk to the edge of the glade and a junction of paths. Take the second fork to the left along a glorious undulating path.
Step 5
This is one of the most wooded areas of the Roughs. Some of the oaks are over 300 years old. Ancient trees are particularly important for conservation. The hollow trunks create niche habitats, rich in decaying wood, loose bark and perfect for insects, lichen and fungi. Bats, owls and woodpeckers nest in the holes. Take a moment here to enjoy the views.
Step 6
Follow the waymarkers down the slope and back into the woodland. You'll soon come to a large area of rhododendrons. Charles Darwin often used to walk around the Roughs when he was staying with his friend Thomas Farrer at Abinger Hall.
Step 7
Continue along the path, keeping an eye out on your left for the twisted roots and branches of old beech trees. They were planted as hedging to protect against livestock. As you walk out of the woodland you will see the Wilberforce memorial and also an old barn on your left hand side. This is Leasers Barn, which was used as a lambing shed for many years. From here, walk up the hill to return to the car park.
End point
Abinger Roughs car park. Grid reference: TQ110480.
Trail map
More near here
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Get in touch
NT Car park on White Down Lane, Abinger Hammer, Surrey, RH5 6QS (nearest postcode)
Our partners
We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.
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