About
Headley Heath is a Site of Special Scientific Interest in the Surrey Hills, a mosaic of acid heath, chalk downland and mixed woodland whose name comes from the Old English for a clearing with heather. The manor appears in the Domesday Survey of 1086, and in the Second World War the Canadian Army trained here, digging trenches and gun emplacements and cutting many of the paths walkers use today. A herd of belted Galloway cattle now grazes the heath, keeping it open for heather, stonechats, woodlarks and lizards. Waymarked National Trust trails start from the main car park, among them a military history loop with audio clips, a spring bluebell walk and the Lizard Trail. Reviewers praise the choice of routes and the quiet away from the car park, and warn of steep slopes and winter mud. One tip from visitors: there are no toilets, though a food van serves the main car park. Well-controlled dogs are welcome, on a lead around the cattle.
Check today’s timesSee all times
- CountrysideSee opening notes
Opening times may change at short notice.
Open heath and woodland; the NT page publishes no opening calendar or set hours for Headley Heath.
Belted Galloway cattle graze the heath in rotating areas; check the notices on site for where they are.
No toilets. A mobile van (not National Trust) in the main car park serves drinks, ice creams and light snacks, 9am to 4.30pm daily. No overnight parking or camping.
PricingFreeFree for all visitors
Free entry for everyone
Entry
Free for everyone
Pricing details
Open heath, free to everyone. Parking charges for non-members apply separately.
ParkingFree for members
£9 all day
Parking details
Two National Trust car parks: Headley Heath main car park on Headley Common Road, KT18 6NN (JustPark location code 80589), and Brimmer car park opposite Headley Grove Farm (JustPark location code 80588). Free for NT members, who must register or scan their card. Non-members: £2 up to 1 hour, £4 up to 2 hours, £6 up to 4 hours, £9 all day, paid at the machine or on the JustPark app. There is no phone signal at the car parks, so set up the app before the visit; payment can be made up to 48 hours afterwards. No overnight parking or camping.
Driving pin: the Headley Heath main car park (Google car-park listing, 51.270943, -0.2737513), the start of four NT trails and matching the NT postcode KT18 6NN; the attraction listing sits about 10 m away. The NT page coordinate (51.2635, -0.2815) is a heath centroid, not an arrival point.
2 car parks · JustPark codes
Enter the code for your car park in JustPark to pay, or at the machine. Members park free after checking in.
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Walking routes4 routes
Headley Heath military history trail(opens the full route on the National Trust site)
WalkmoderateDog access not confirmed3.2 km distance1hr30 to walk
