Staines Moor
Staines-upon-Thames, Spelthorne
Photo: Irid Escent, CC BY-SA 2.0Photo: Irid Escent, CC BY-SA 2.0
Common land since 1065 and never ploughed, this 289-acre moor north of Staines is a Site of Special Scientific Interest managed by Spelthorne Council with local moormasters. It is known for wintering wildfowl, birds of prey and what are thought to be Britain's oldest anthills.
Highlights
- 190 bird species recorded, including red kite, hobby and barn owl
- Ancient yellow meadow ant hills
- Spring flowers such as yellow flag iris and marsh marigold
- Cattle and horses graze in the warmer months
Good to know
- Grazing animals are taken off the moor in winter to let the land recover
- A circular walk leaflet is available from the Colne Valley Regional Park
Getting there
Staines Moor, Moor Lane, Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, TW18 4YYParking: Access points at Moor Lane (TW18 4YY), Stanwell Moor (TW19 6AT) and a footpath near Wraysbury Gardens (TW18 4US).
Get directionsChecked on 19 October 2026 against spelthorne.gov.uk, colnevalleypark.org.uk. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check
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More things to do in Staines-upon-Thames
Nearby
Photo of Staines-upon-Thames: Ruth Sharville, CC BY-SA 2.0Lammas Recreation Ground
A family park on the Thames in Staines with two play areas, a summer splash park, mini golf and a riverside cafe run by The Little Green Boat Company. There is also a free skate and BMX area and three free tennis courts.
Photo of Staines-upon-Thames: Ruth Sharville, CC BY-SA 2.0Spelthorne Museum
A volunteer-run museum of Spelthorne's archaeology and history, now in the Library Hub in the Elmsleigh Centre by Staines bus station. Finds range from a mammoth tusk and Roman pots to a replica of Neolithic Shepperton Woman.
Photo: Alan Hunt, CC BY-SA 2.0Runnymede Pleasure Grounds
A council-run riverside park on the Thames between Egham and Old Windsor, with play equipment, a chlorinated paddling pool in summer and long river frontage. It sits next to the National Trust meadows at Runnymede, so it works well as the start of a longer walk.