SSSI Sites Of Special Scientific Interest

Via Moor Lane (TW18 4YY), Stanwell Moor (TW19 6AU) or by footpath near Wraysbury Gardens (TW18 4US).

Designated a SSSI because of its important floral species, wintering wildfowl and waders. The River Colne flows through the site which is great for bird watching with seasonal specialities such as Hobby, Kingfisher, Yellow Wagtail, Stonechat and Short-eared Owl. The Moor is designated common land and holds great historic value. We ask all visitors to follow the onsite signage during the nesting season (April-July). Ground nesting birds such as Lapwing and Skylark use the Moor during this time and nests can be abandoned if disturbed, so we ask walkers and dog owners to be considerate.

Read our 

Situated between Staines Bypass and London Road. Access through Leacroft (TW18 4NZ), Shortwood Avenue (TW18 4JL), Shortwood Common London Road (TW18 4HP) and footpath near TW15 3JL.

A grassland site which boasts rare species of plants such as Wild Clary, Wormwood and Bermuda Grass. Time your visit in May and an impressive display of Buttercups can be seen. The pond falls within the SSSI remit and holds Brown Galingale (a nationally rare plant), and is a haven for fish, birds and amphibians. 

Opposite the Kingfisher Pub with parking available off Chertsey Bridge Road (KT16 8LF) and Thames path.

An area of unimproved grassland situated on the floodplain of the River Thames; such habitat are now very uncommon in the south-east of England. Dumsey Meadow is the only remaining grazed unimproved Thames-side meadow in Surrey. The grass is cut for hay in August and then grazed using a herd of Belted Galloway supplied by Surrey Wildlife Trust. The Thames Path skirts the southern perimeter of the site and is well worth a visit all year round.

Lower Sunbury, in-between Green Street and The Avenue, TW16 6RD

This Park has a historic background and offers guests the chance to visit a park with more traditional methods of management resulting in a naturalised setting. A wide range of veteran trees can be seen with a variety of birds and invertebrates to be discovered. The site is seasonally grazed, typically between April-September which, in time, will aid the process of allowing more desirable floral species such as wild flowers to establish. Situated adjacent to the Walled Garden there's an opportunity to visit both sites simultaneously.

Situated just south of Shepperton Studios, TW17 0QA

The site runs parallel to the River Ash and incorporates approx. 1km of riparian habitat featuring mature Oak trees which hold significant value for varying bat species. A joint river enhancement project in 2016 with the Environment Agency, Groundwork and Spelthorne Council saw a relic channel re-opened as a fish bypass. This project brought hydrological and ecological benefits to the site. Keep your eyes peeled for Kingfishers and Stag beetles. The still water features also aid population of amphibians; if you're lucky you might also spot a Grass Snake.