December 2025 Friends of the Surrey Hills Newsletter

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As 2025 draws to a close, we’re celebrating the last 12 months of nature inspiration, connection andย conservation in the Surrey Hills.

Thank you for helping us care for this special National Landscape.
January
Nature met music in Natureโ€™s Anthem โ€” a powerful rap by MOBO Award-winner Still Shadey, inspired by the Surrey Hills and community voices. Filmed at the National Trust’s Box Hill, this piece celebrates hope, healing, and connection through art. This projectย formed part of Surrey Hills Arts’ contribution to the nationalย Nature Calling programme.ย Watch the full rap above.
February Celebrating our Surrey Hills Farmers
 

February

We celebrated the farmers in the Surrey Hills that are feeding the future and nurturing nature.ย Through the Defraย Farming in Protected Landscapes programmeย (FiPL), local farms have planted hedgerows, restored ponds, and created habitats that protect wildlife while producing food.
March honouring history on Reigate Hill
 

March

Alongside the National Trust, we marked 80 years since the tragic B-17 Flying Fortress crash with a moving memorial service at the Wing Tips sculpture, joined by the US Air Attachรฉ and civic leaders. A powerful reminder of sacrifice and shared heritage.
April
Shaping the future of the Surrey Hills
We asked you to help us set our bold 75-year vision for a thriving landscape within our Management Plan. Thank you to the over 1,000 people who took part and helped Rosie May Jones create this fantastic Year 2100 poem from the responses.April also saw ourย Surrey Hills Spring Fair take place at the Rural Life Living Museum.
May Surrey Connect opens the door to the Surrey Hills
 

May

Escaping to the Surrey Hills got easier! We launched the expanded Surrey Connect on-demand bus from Dorking station to the National Trust’s Leith Hill Place to help people explore heritage, nature, and art with the Community Rail Partnership.ย Plan your adventure here.
June new national nature reserve launches
 

June

A new National Nature Reserve was launched by Natural England.ย The Wealden Heaths in the southwest Surrey Hills was declared as part of the Kingโ€™s Series of reservesโ€”protecting nature for generations to come.ย Plan your visit here.

We also welcomed guests to the Surrey Hills Country Fair at Merrist Wood –ย check out theย 2026 event here!
July sharing knowledge shaping landscapes
 

July

We welcomed colleagues from across the UKโ€™s Protected Landscapes as part of the National Landscapes Conference to explore the Surrey Hillsโ€”from ancient yews to chalk grasslands and thriving local businesses.

The Nature Calling games trail also launched at Box Hill in July –ย discover the trail here.
August new signs new chapter
 

August

Corten-steel Surrey Hills National Landscape signs replaced the old highways signsโ€”crafted by local talent and youth teams to celebrate our landscape and inspire future generations.
September surrey hills wood fair
 

September

The 15th Surrey Hills Wood Fair brought guests together to discover traditional woodcrafts, meet master makers, and enjoy an unforgettable day in the woods. A true celebration of community, nature and creativity. Look out for our Surrey Hills Wood Fair returning in 2026!

In September we also celebratedย Back British Farming Day by sharing the unique stories of our female farmers in the Surrey Hills.
 

October

Our Surrey Hills Enterprises held their very firstย Fire & Food Fair at Hogs Back Brewery, bringing together nature, fire, and flavour in a vibrant celebration of local culture. From live-fire cooking to music and rural makers, the event showcased the creativity and community spirit that make the Surrey Hills so special.

We also celebrated the Farming in Protected Landscapes fundedย pond restorations at Loseley Park.
November
The Surrey Hills Symposium returned to the University of Surrey, this year exploring adventure, purpose andย theย Growing Together projectย which connected communities experiencing barriers with nature, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). The project engaged over 500 people, with 91% feeling more connected to the natural world and 86% gaining new skillsโ€”insights that inspired over 100 ideas to shape a major new funding bid to NLHF aimed at transforming access, skills, and resilience across the Surrey Hills. Watch the Growing Together project video above,ย andย read more.
December
Natural England’sย formal notice period to responsible bodies is live until 14 January, regarding its intention to extend the Surrey Hills National Landscape by approximately 30%. This milestone brings us closer to a bigger, conserved, and enhanced Surrey Hills.
In 2025, our Surrey Hills Societyย welcomed new CEO Em Adler to lead its mission of helping people enjoy and engage with the landscape. At the start of the year, ourย Surrey Hills Enterprises bid farewell to their retiring Chairman Simon Whalley, welcoming Michael Coughlin as the new Chair.

Thank you for being a Friend of the Surrey Hills in 2025.