Esher Commons - Geology and Terrain

Geology and Terrain

The geology of the Commons consists of the damp clay soils of the Claygate Beds and acidic soils of the Bagshot Beds and Plateau Gravels with peat on top. The terrain is lowland heath, predominantly covered by woodland, including both deciduous and coniferous trees, notably: oak; beech; silver birch; birch; and Scots Pine in various stages of maturity. There is also grassland, and areas of marsh, bog and open water which provide a rich variety of habitats to support many species of plant and animal life.

The Common was not always wooded, and much of the area was formerly open heathland used as common grazing land. It has not been grazed for many years and secondary woodland has grown over much of the area. The significance of the variety of habitats has resulted in the Common being designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1955 by the Nature Conservancy (now English Nature), the statutory body which enables and promotes nature conservation in England. A programme to fell tracts of secondary woodland has led to various public protests. In spite of the SSSI designation, the A3 Esher bypass was built through the middle of Esher Common in 1974. As compensation, approximately 90 acres (360,000 m2) of "exchange land" became part of the Commons. The Ledges were added to West End Common, and an area including Middle Pond became part of Esher Common.