Weybridge Heath

The Heath comprises 47 acres (19 ha) of lowland heathland that runs from the deep cutting of the South West Main Line railway eastwards to Cobbetts Hill.

During the 1970s and 1980s the heathland fell into a poor state of repair because the surrounding brush was ill-maintained and coppicing, which is essential for the maintenance of small heaths, had ceased.

Gradually, the area became more and more overgrown with newly grown brush composed of the saplings of deciduous trees, and became to resemble more of a young wood.

The project consisted of the removal of many taller trees from a central portion of the site, and the clearing of brush from this area.

It was on the original heath in this location that British myrmecologist Horace Donisthorpe collected many of the ants from which he produced so many observations and deductions.