Buckland: Trails, Nature and History

The North Downs Way runs through Buckland. Other local features include a Village Green with a pond, landscape features of the North Downs, water activities and historic buildings. If you’re looking for a hotel in Buckland, you can plan your stay around whether you’re mainly interested in walking, enjoying nature, trying water activities or learning about local history.

Landscape and nature in Buckland

Buckland Village Green is a registered Village Green and includes a pond. It is maintained as a recreational space for the benefit of the local community. This clearly identifies its use as part of local community life.

The North Downs ridge in Buckland lies within the Surrey Hills National Landscape. In addition, sections of the North Downs in Buckland are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). These designations offer different points of reference for the landscape: the ridge’s inclusion in a National Landscape, and the designation of certain sections as SSSIs.

Buckland Park Lake, part of the Buckland Estate, covers 50 acres. The lake is bordered by striking sand cliffs and almost 50 acres of mature woodland. The lake’s size and the surrounding landscape features shape the natural character of this place.

Walking: long-distance trail and walk

The North Downs Way long-distance trail runs through Buckland. Another named walk is Buckland Lanes and Fields: it takes 1.5 hours and is 3.5 miles long. The local walking booklet was updated in June 2023. This gives you two distinct walking options for planning your day: a walk with a specified duration and distance, and a long-distance trail that runs through Buckland.

Church and windmill history

The church of St Mary the Virgin dates from the 14th and 15th centuries. In 1860, it was extensively remodelled and rebuilt by Henry Woodyer. The church’s historic stained glass also dates from the 14th and 15th centuries. Its medieval heritage and the major rebuilding of 1860 can therefore be understood as distinct phases in its history.

Buckland Windmill was probably built between 1860 and 1870. It is the only surviving wind-powered sawmill in the United Kingdom. Both its cautiously stated date and its distinctive function as a sawmill are notable features of this building.

Water activities at Buckland Park Lake

The Surrey Hills Adventure Company offers open-water swimming and stand-up paddleboarding at Buckland Park Lake. SUP technique sessions are available in a 1:2:1 format, in small private groups, and as sessions open to everyone. The programme therefore includes two different water activities and several types of SUP session.

Nearby, the SHAC lagoon is one of the few open-water swimming spots available year-round. If you’re planning your trip around a water activity, you can distinguish between the activities at Buckland Park Lake and the swimming option at the lagoon.

Planning your trip

When choosing your destination, it’s also helpful to distinguish between the two walking options: Buckland Lanes and Fields has a stated duration and distance, while the North Downs Way is a long-distance trail that runs through Buckland.

Discover more destinations: Chertsey, Thames Ditton, Cranleigh, Virginia Water, Ash, Bletchingley, Godalming, Seale

For the broader travel guide: Surrey.