It is part of a much larger Site of Special Scientific Interest, the Thursley, Hankley and Frensham Commons.

[1] The land has been occupied since the Bronze Age[2] — it features a group of four bowl barrows which have been dated to this period.

The poet, Wilfred Owen, was posted there in June 1916, after completing his basic training, to be commissioned into the 2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment.

Today it is managed by the National Trust, to provide a mixture of habitats for wildlife, with birch, oak and pine woodland, as well as open heathland.

The centre features a countryside exhibition and often hosts school groups and children's holiday activities.