Things to do in the Surrey countryside
New-born lambs, vibrant birdsong and a landscape bursting with the colours of the season; there’s so much to discover, this month, in the Surrey countryside...
1. Lamb spotting
Gambolling, with wagging tails and bright eyes, in the warmth of the spring sunshine, it’s hard not to be uplifted by the sight of new-born lambs. And, with lambing season well underway, this month promises opportunity aplenty.
Greeting lambs has long been considered good luck, so why not boost your fortunes with a visit to Merrist Wood College, Worplesdon, on April 27, for its annual lambing weekend. You will be able to take part in a range of seasonal activities, and sheep shearers will also be in action
Meanwhile, at Bocketts Farm Park near Fetcham (until April 23), more than 350 lambs are expected so, time your visit right, and you may well witness one being born. Find out more about these sacred animals in the daily ‘Meet the Shepherd’ sessions, before saying ‘hello’ to the other on-site springtime arrivals, including the super cute baby chicks and ducklings.
2. Country walks
©National Trust Images/Nick Meers ©NTPL/Nick Meers
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A distant view of the south front of Polesden Lacey from Prospect Lodge.
Gunpowder Walk, April 28
This guided circular takes in historic sites such as Shalford Mill and the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills.
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, April 6-22
What better way to focus on the finer details of what’s around you than with a search around the lake and grass amphitheatre of Claremont Landscape Garden.
Wellness Walk
Download the self-led walk through the Polesden Lacey landscape and Surrey Hills beyond. Viewpoints en route feature plaques of inspirational quotes and poetry extracts to anchor you in the moment.
3. Birdsong
Jon Hawkins Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photo
Katy Fielding, Surrey Wildlife Trust liaison officer, Whitmoor Common
"Birds singing – that’s one of the things I love most about this time of year. At Whitmoor Common, you often hear ‘Darties’ – the nickname for Dartford warblers, one of my favourite birds – first. They’ve got a distinct rattling, scratchy song so you know what to listen out for.
On warm sunny mornings, you can see these cherry-red breasted warblers flitting around gorse and heather bushes. On those days, I like to go to an area of the Common called ‘Compartment Three’ – it’s quieter here, and, because it’s one of the birds’ breeding areas, you've got a good chance of spotting them.
Why are Darties so special? Well, they are one of the most threatened birds, so to have them at Whitmoor is a real testament that we’re managing the site right. Surrey heaths are extremely important to this small, dark brown bird because it doesn’t migrate and is dependent on heathland habitat for breeding, feeding, sheltering and overnighting throughout the year."
