Limpsfield families are being spoilt for outdoor trails at the moment, with the launch of the Parish Council’s Limpsfield Way and now the new Family Activity Trail, a joint project by the National Trust and Friends of Limpsfield Common that provides a waymarked nature trail around Limpsfield’s High Chart.

Starting at the National Trust High Chart car park, Moorhouse Road on the Chart, the trail is 1.2 miles long and runs around the high chart paths and bridleways in a circular route that takes you through ancient woodland, pine forest, past a spring, over the greensand ridge, by a Roman Road and along the boundaries of a historic deer park! Who knew there was so much history on the Chart…?!

The Friends of Limpsfield Common and National Trust have gone to great efforts to make the paths as accessible as possible, laying aggregate on some of the worst of the muddy sections and renovating the High Chart carpark, but you may find that the trail is not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs in the wettest winter months.

There are lots of things to look out for and do along the way and you’ll find that some of the waymarking posts also have numbers on them that relate to tasks, history and other interesting facts and information. To find all the instructions, route information, and map, hop onto the Limpsfield Parish Council website HERE. You’ll also find the link to the trail on the Outdoor Active app, which you can download onto your phone.

Who are the Friends of Limpsfield Common?

The group of friends was started in 1972, when the National Trust took over responsibility for the Common. The groups now numbers over 200. They pay an annual membership that generates around £3000 a year, and is spent on whatever the group and National Trust Lead Ranger for the Common decide is the best use for the money, such as equipment for the Task Force of over 40 volunteers that are crucial to the continued management of the Common.

The Task Force, is a merry bunch of volunteers who dedicate much of their spare time to making sure we can all benefit from the beautiful area that is Limpsfield Common and Limpsfield Chart.

The Volunteers spend hours clearing pathways, cutting bracken, felling, pruning and chopping under the watchful eye of the Limpsfield Common NT Ranger, Jeremy Saunders. They also take it in turns to litter pick around the area. You’re bound to see the Task Force in and around the Common and Chart on Thursdays, often taking a well earned lunch break at The Carpenter’s Arms!

If you want to join them, email: friendsoflimpsfieldcommon@gmail.com

Find out more about them and what they do on their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/folimpsfieldcommon/