Headley Heath is a designated Site of Specific Interest with a mix of open heathland, shady woods and steep chalk grassland valleys. Managed by the National Trust, it covers some 300 hectares of the North Downs in Surrey.
Having realised we were a day too early for a miltary history open day (Mummy’s fault!), we headed for the Lizard Trail. This is a 3km walk covering Dean Wood Heath, The Pyramids, Aspen Pond, Purley Plain, Bellamoss Pond and the Brown Pond. The weather wasn’t on our side but in true British style we headed off anyway!
We were hoping to see a few of the Belted Galloway cattle that graze Headley Heath but they must have taken cover from the rain! Thankfully the downpours didn’t last and it wasn’t long before POD was running ahead enquiring which way to go. This meant we were able to admire the birch trees that surrounded us – as well as a superb display of foxgloves.
Dean Wood Heath was devastated in the storms of 1987 and the bracken grows rapidly there. It has been freshly cut back when we arrived providing us with ample opportunity to climb trees, play hide and seek
or just balance on a tree stump to eat a banana.
A little further down we were met by the most wonderful valley, not dissimilar in fun level to the Ha-Ha at Claremont!
POD and Daddy ran up and down although it wasn’t long before POD needed a rest!
The view around the corner was incredible and now it had brightened up we could see for miles. The path here is made up of pebble-like stones which are a relic from when Headley was covered by the sea. The North Downs were formed at the same time as the Alps following the last ice age.
POD found a large puddle which was great for stirring once she found a large stick. She also ran about a lot, the incredible views providing a superb backdrop behind her. The Pyramid area derives its name from the pyramids of ammunition stores built up by the Canadian army during the Second World War.
We then took a narrow path which led to Aspen Pond, so called because of the trees that grow there. It would have been a tranquil spot were it not for an excitable three year old!
Having walked across open heathland, we reached the ancient Brimmer Pond. I can imagine it won’t be long before it’s alive with newts, frogs and dragonflies. And Hopeful Pond too which is a little further along.
Purley Plain was named after pupils from Purley High School helped cleared the area after a devastating fire in 1956. There are lumps and bumps dotted around due to WWII army exercises. Wandering through here we found oak trees that were brilliant for climbing although POD had peaked too early!
The landscape changed again after that. We passsed thickets of spikey gorse with yellow coconut smelling flowers.
After that the path widened and we recognised where we were – almost back at the car park. With all the playing we’d done along the way it felt like we’d walked much further than 3km but what a fabulous find.
Linking up with #whatsthestory here on PODcast and #CountryKids at Coombe Mill.
Such beautiful pictures!!! Makes me long to buy a camera! I love the umbrella shot 🙂 x
Beautiful pictures. It is not too far from us so we must go on the trail as it looks like you had so much fun!
Oops mummy h’s ha glad you were able to do something else and that the weather picked up ! Foxgloves are my favourite wild flowers 🙂 #whatsthestory
Looks like a wonderful walk, so very beautiful x
Such lovely pictures! It looks like a fab place to visit xx
Another of your stunning countryside walks. I do love the expressions you capture on Pod, she always looks so adorable and like she is enjoying every minute. Love the oversized umbrella.
Beautiful! And I so love her coat. Gorgeous. What I love about days out in the wide open is the fact that sometimes you feel totally and utterly alone. That’s my favourite. Like there is only you and your little fam xxx
Pod is so lucky for all the amazing adventures you take her on. I wish I was in your family. You got to so many fun amazing locations together. Inspires me to be more creative with what I do with the kids. You are such a great fun mommy!!!! Lovely post and stunning photos of your princess as always… Thanks for hosting my lovely.
Utterly stunning and love your little on’e ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ style coat!
Beautiful pictures! You manage to visit some gorgeous places, bet Pod loves your adventures.
What a lovely walk, looks beautiful
What a perfect place for a walk. Pod’s coat is gorgeous, and looks particularly stunning against all that green!
Oops mummy! Looks like a great day was had. My son would love all that tree climbing.
Just love seeing POD running around so freely,clearly having a great time!
I wish you were my mummy #fact
Another stunning location for a photo shoot Charly and the beautiful little purple coat is out again. Yay!
Aww thats such a lovely trip to a lush place =) #whatsthestory
Looks like such a wonderful place to walk, Amazing pictures x
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Despite getting the day wrong for you original plans, you look as though you had a fabulous day! x
I love the umbrella shot! It looks like you really did have a wonderful time xx
Lovely photos. We love exploring and z generally just likes getting mucky. I always like your pics but I think my favourite ones are seeing Pod and her partner in crime having fun together 🙂
Heathlands are such interesting habitats and I used to work for a project managing chalk grasslands so I am very fond of them. Lovely pictures of lovely landscapes!
It’s so refreshing to see all this greenery, since all we see here are tall buildings.
Lovely photos! You probably know how much I love Headley already but I’ll say it again.. I do love Headley! In all the times I’ve been I have never seen the cattle either. I have seen them from the road, by Brimmer car park but we usually stay around Aspen Pond (my kids favourite place) and the Pyramids, playing in the dens between the 2. I’m so glad you had a nice time. Be great to meet up there one day 🙂
I’ll have to ask Dad if he used to bug hunt there, the name sounds familiar for some reason.
It is good to get out even if the weather is rubbish x
Love all your photo’s, your daughter has the most beautiful curls! A lovely place to visit, even in the rain 🙂 ps loving the blog redesign x
You have do many beautiful places to explore near you, how lovely. And that photo of POD balancing while eating her banana is wonderful 🙂
What a lovely looking place. Some wonderful views too. Its amazing what you can find in our country. Love the photo on the treestump!#countrykids.x
You guys are lucky to be surrounded with lots of woodland! 🙂 As always, love the photos, especially the ones of POD! 🙂 #CountryKids.
Great pics as always’ I love the one of pod & daddy in the valley 🙂 It’s always great when the weather perks up unexpectedly #CountryKids
Loving your photos as always, what a wonderful day out. You blog is looking pretty fab these days too, loving it. Will join in again with what’s the story this week x
Another totally gorgeous place!! I can’t get over that little jacket and the huge umbrella 🙂 Gorgeous photos!
It’s so interesting how the landscape changes so quickly!
[…] K was a bit of a challenge but in the end knoll stuck. This photograph was taken at Headley Heath in Surrey which is managed by the National Trust.  It’s a designated Site of Specific […]
[…] will be. I couldn’t resist this one of POD holding a brolly for the first time. We were at Headley Heath and although it poured initially, it did clear up. It’s another gem from the National […]