Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspaces (SANGs)

Ether Hill and Queenswood, Fox Hill Road, Ottershaw is immediately adjacent to Ottershaw Memorial Fields. This area of woodland extends to 10.8 hectares (26.7 acres). Local knowledge, old maps and the remaining small amounts of Ling and Bell Heather suggest that the site may have been covered by heathland in the past. While most of the site is currently covered by either broad-leaved semi-natural, mixed or plantation woodland, there are several distinctive boundary banks within the site which support magnificent mature Beech and Oak specimens. Much Rhododendron has been cleared from the site in recent years and the further removal of this non-native invasive plant will continue as a priority.

Ether Hill & Queenswood are managed as Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspaces in order to create an enjoyable natural environment for recreation, away from the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area.

Facilities

A well waymarked trail takes you around the woodlands, and to the top of Ether Hill, where there are benches from which to admire the beautiful panoramic view across Queenswood Golf Course and the surrounding countryside. The waymarking is particularly nice here, with images of local wildlife on the marker posts plus information boards by the car parks and near the entrances to the woodland. 
 
Public toilets including a disabled facility are located adjacent to the far car park nearer the park pavilion at Ottershaw Memorial Fields. There's also a children's play area and games court located in the field area.

If you are seeking a faster pace, join the free Homewood Parkrun, every Saturday here at 9am. For further details, please visit the Homewood parkrun page.

How to get to Ether Hill and Queenswood

By car

The closest car park to the SANGs is on Fox Hills Road - view the entrance on the what3words website. Please note, there is a 2-metre height restrictor above the entrance. There is an additional car park further along Fox Hills Road, a short stroll across the playing field from the woods. This is where the public toilets are located. Visit the what3words website to view this entrance. There is a 2.1-metre height restrictor over this car park entrance. Both car parks offer free parking and have dedicated disabled parking bays.

By foot and bike

Ether Hill & Queenswood are located to the west of Ottershaw, west of Fox Hills Road, adjacent to Ottershaw Memorial Fields. The park is 0.5 km from National Cycle Network Route 223.

By public transport

The closest rail stations are either Chertsey (3.5km) or Addlestone (4km). Please visit the Surrey County Council website Surrey County Council - Bus timetables for up-to-date details on bus routes and services.

Nature and wildlife

Good amounts of standing and deadwood are present within the woodland. This is something we plan to encourage on this site as this would extend the area of suitable habitat available to the species found at nearby Ottershaw Chase. The area of tall Scots Pines at the top of Ether Hill has a cathedral like aesthetic quality. In one relatively small area a few of the larger Pines have been felled to reduce shading and form a glade to further encourage the growth of the Heather.