Nestled in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding National Beauty, the quaint village of Elstead offers a blend of history, natural beauty, and athletic achievement. Just 5 miles southeast of Farnham, this charming locale boasts a small historic centre centred around a triangular village green. Elstead's rich history dates back to 1128, when it was first mentioned in the foundation charter of Waverley Abbey.
Today, the village serves as a gateway to numerous outdoor attractions, including the impressive ruins of Waverley Abbey itself. Film enthusiasts may recognize the abbey from its appearances in "Elizabeth" (1998) and Disney's "Into the Woods" (2014). For those seeking a more active adventure, the Elstead Loop offers a network of interlinking cycle routes across rare heathland habitats.
Nature lovers can explore Thundry Meadows, home to one of Surrey's few quaking mires and numerous bat boxes monitored by the Surrey Bat Group. Nearby Thursley National Nature Reserve presents an opportunity to discover one of the largest remaining fragments of heathland in Surrey. This rare.
.. Lucy Williamson.