CountrysideSurrey4.7
Frensham Little Pond was created in the 13th century to supply fish to the Bishop of Winchester and his court at Farnham Castle, and the shore path still passes its medieval dam. It later saw early industrial action and even served as a military training ground. Now part of the Wealden Heaths National Nature Reserve, the pond and heath shelter great crested grebes, reed buntings and sedge warblers, nightjars and woodlarks, with dragonflies over yellow iris and purple loosestrife in summer. Reviewers describe the loop around the pond as a lovely, peaceful walk, especially when the heather is in flower, and stop for coffee and cake at the Tern Cafe, which has outdoor seating only. To protect wildlife, swimming, inflatables and paddleboards are not allowed. Dogs are welcome but must stay out of the pond and on short leads from March to September. The Trust's family walk circles the pond and climbs to Snowball Ridge.
Open countryside, free for everyone. Parking is charged separately for non-members.
Non-members pay to park.
Members park free. Non-members: £2 up to 1 hour, £4 up to 2 hours, £6 up to 4 hours, £9 all day. Validate parking at a machine, in the JustPark app (location ID 80579) or at the Tern Cafe; there is no phone signal, so set up the app before arriving. No overnight parking or camping; parking on Priory Lane is prohibited.
The trail page says there are two car parks, both free for members; the pin is the main car park on Priory Lane where the family walk starts.
Enter this code in JustPark to pay, or at the machine. Members park free after checking in.
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The countryside is open from dawn to dusk.
Tern Cafe hours vary by day and season, typically 10:00 to between 15:00 and 16:30; hot food from 10:30. Outdoor seating only. Toilets next to the cafe are open during cafe hours.
Swimming, inflatables, rings and paddleboards are not permitted on the pond; no barbecues or fires because of the high wildfire risk. Picnics are welcome.
Many paths are smooth and fairly level; Blue Badge parking is available. Frensham Common and Great Pond are leased to and managed by Waverley Borough Council.
Photo: Frensham Little Pond in autumn. Peter S, CC BY-SA 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Frensham_Little_Pond_-_geograph.org.uk_-_7657544.jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0. Resized and cropped for display; derivatives retain the source licence.
Dogs at the location: Allowed with restrictions. Well-controlled dogs are welcome but may not swim in the pond; short leads while birds nest, March to September.
Dog walks in the grounds: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs may walk the paths around the pond and heath, on short leads from March to September and never in the water.
Leads: Short leads from March to September; otherwise under close control.
Seasonal dog restrictions: Leads during the ground-nesting season, March to September; dogs never allowed in the pond.
2.5 miles (4 km), short version 2 miles, 1 to 2 hours, moderate. Starts at the car park in Priory Lane, grid ref SU857418; car parks free for members, non-members pay via JustPark 80579. Includes a climb to the ridge, wooded sections and a boardwalk.
Read moreShow lessChecked 2026-09-23