If you’re looking for somewhere peaceful to take a walk, Frensham Little Pond near Churt in Surrey is always well worth a visit. Originally created in the 11th century to supply the Bishop of Winchester with fish, the pond is a sanctuary for wildlife surrounded by a mosaic of purple heathers, fragrant yellow gorse and rich green bracken.
Although Frensham Little Pond has largely remained unchanged since it was created, how it has been used and its inhabitants has varied greatly. William de Raleigh, the Bishop of Winchester, had originally instructed his bondsmen to build a dam. Frensham was formed by building an ironstone wall (some of the original stonework is visible by the sluice gate) across a shallow value and damming a stream entering the southern end. This had come from a spring in Churt and springs that rise near the Devil Jumps which are conical-shaped ironstone hills.
Formerly known as Tancred’s Mere and Crowfoot Pond, the pond (owned by the National Trust) covers 37 acres and is about 80 metres in length. There are many footpaths to explore through the woodland and around the pond itself with the option to walk to nearby Frensham Great Pond and Common. The latter is a Green Flag Award-winning site, leased to and managed by Waverley Borough Council from the National Trust. The car park at Frensham Great Pond is especially popular during the summer months as there is a beach and swimming with sailing available for guests of the Frensham Pond Sailing Club.
The precious heathland at Frensham Little Pond is a sanctuary for wildlife and there’s much to see whenever you visit. It is internationally important for the variety of rare and endangered wildlife that thrives there is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Protection Area and a Special Area of Conservation. While there are some sandy areas around the pond swimming is not permitted to protect the wildlife habitats. The pond is home to wildfowl, dragonfly and damselfly nymphs, newts, toads and frogs.
The sandy heathland at Frensham Little Pond has evolved over the years. Up until the 20th century, locals used to graze their animals and visit to cut bracken and wood which created a virtually treeless landscape. A variety of unique plants and wildlife developed as a result of this. Today the site supports both dry and wet heath, ponds, reedbeds, alder carr and a range of open heath and deciduous woodland.
There are around 135 acres to discover with tranquil scenes over the lake, birds and other wildlife. You can climb up to Snowball Ridge to take in the views and for refreshments, there’s the Tern Cafe which has a great selection of drinks, snacks and of course delicious cake. A walk around the pond takes longer if you have children with you but at 2.5 miles it’s perfectly doable with much to look at along the way. Like Frensham Great Pond, Frensham Little Pond can get busy during the summer, especially on a hot day. Make sure you arrive early if you want to secure a space in the car park.
