A Registered Common some 4 hectares in size to the east of Guildford around which the village of Compton has grown up. The Common would have been an essential part of village life offering firewood, building material and fodder for animals. It is now used for informal recreation, walking, cycling and horse-riding. It is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Access/furniture
Public footpaths and tracks dissect the site throughout and in general the area has unrestricted access. Parking is available within the village with the Common never being more than a couple of minutes away. Disabled and pushchair access along the main tracks from the village centre to The Avenue, locally known as the Black Path. No seating but plenty of dry places to picnic.

Habitat
Predominantly mixed broadleaved woodland with open areas and glades and some wet woodland. Along the black path historic pollards (trees which are regularly cut at about 2m to produce new shoots) can be found; these have been put back into cyclical management, these would once have supplied Commoners with firewood, fencing materials and fodder.

Management
Open areas of grassland are cut once per year and where possible cuttings are taken off site. Footpaths are cut regularly and pollards are managed on a cyclical rotation.

Trees and Countryside Section
Parks and Countryside Services
Guildford Borough Council
Stoke Park Nursery
Nightingale Road
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 1ER

Tel: 01483 444771
Email: countryside@guildford.gov.uk