Banstead Commons

16/10/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘀!

🍁 🍃 🍂 🍁

10/10/2026

🌿 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗖𝗖 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿! 🌿

Cherry laurel is a non-native, invasive species that can smother our woodlands. It spreads rapidly by dropping seeds, layering and growing like the clappers, making it a real menace to our natural landscapes.

Our volunteers are helping to enhance biodiversity by removing it from the woodland understory, allowing native flora, shade-tolerant shrubs and trees to thrive.

In turn, this helps create a healthier habitat for invertebrates and bird species to flourish! 🐦🐞 🕷️

A huge thank you to our volunteers for all your hard work! 💚

06/10/2026

Have you visited the Sheep Parade on Park Downs yet? We'd love for you to tag us in any photos that you share and don't forget to let us know which one is your favourite!

04/10/2026

🐏 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 - 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲. 🐏

We are delighted to announce the arrival of a very special breed of sheep on Banstead Commons.

The flock of twelve ewes and Rambo the Ram are grazing open pastures on Park Downs, helping to spread the important message to keep dogs on leads around livestock.

This friendly flock can be approached, share your photos on here - but please remember, to keep your dogs on the lead!

Love Reigate and Banstead
Surrey Hills Society
Downlands Grazing Partnership
Downlands Trust

Andrew Wright

03/10/2026

📖 Our Annual Report 2026 is now available!

We’re pleased to share our latest Annual Report, giving an insight into the work that goes on throughout the year to care for and protect Banstead Heath, Banstead Downs, Park Downs and Burgh Heath.

From habitat management and conservation grazing to volunteering, wildlife monitoring, public access and the day-to-day work of managing more than 1,300 acres of open space, there’s a lot happening across the Commons.

The report also looks at our governance and finances, providing an overview of how the Conservators carry out their responsibilities and the resources that support our work.

🌿 Want to know more about what happens behind the scenes?

👉 Read the BCC Annual Report 2026 here:
https://heyzine.com/flip-book/259dae6d72.html /1

A big thank you to our staff, Conservators, volunteers, partners and everyone who continues to support and care about the Commons. 💚

Created with the Heyzine flipbook maker

02/10/2026

Spotting wildlife on Banstead Commons

These stunning photographs of stonechats (Saxicola rubicola) were taken this week on Banstead Heath, as they stopover to feed on insects in the grassland, on their way further south to continental Europe and Africa.

The stonechat is named for its call, which sounds like two small stones being hit together! Smaller than a robin, they may be seen sitting on gorse or other low bushes, flicking their wings and making their distinctive call. The male has the colourful orange-red breast, and striking black heads whilst the females and juveniles are paler and predominantly brown.

If you love birds, why not join our Winter Bird Walk on Banstead Heath on Wednesday 28th October from 10 am to 12pm. You can book on the Banstead Commons website. Tickets £5

Photos: Karl D. Tarratt

01/10/2026

We’re back at Withybed Corner!

Our dedicated volunteer conservation team are tackling the invasive Cherry Laurel once again this month.

As they say, many hands make light work - and with our expert, hardworking team, that’s certainly true.

It’s a beautiful day for volunteering, and we’re always grateful to our team for the difference they are making to our much loved habitats.

🌱 You can visit our website to find out more about volunteering with us - www.bansteadcommons.org.uk

28/09/2026