Frensham Little Pond
Frensham Little Pond is a lake within Frensham Common in the south-western corner of Surrey. The lake is a popular place to visit during for leisurely walks on the Common.
Southwestward across the common is its companion, Frensham Great Pond.
The Frensham ponds were artificially created in the 13th century; once part of the lands of the Bishop of Winchester, whose castle was at nearby Farnham, the ponds provided fish for the tables of the bishop's estate. Today Frensham Little Pond is owned by the National Trust.
Wildlife
Today the pond and surrounding area is a sanctuary for wildlife. Many common birds are seen about and upon the pond and several rare ones too. It has reed buntings, sedge warblers and great crested grebes, nightjars and woodlarks. There are damselflies and dragonflies darting over the glistening water in warmer months, and the banks of the pond are fringed with a multitude of yellow iris, purple loose-strife and common reeds.
The surrounding heathland overspreads sandy soil (Frensham Great Pond even has a sandy beach) and this produces a colourful mosaic of purple heathers, fragrant bright yellow gorse and rich green bracken.
Frensham is considered internationally important for the variety of rare and endangered wildlife that thrive on the heath and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Protection Area and a Special Area of Conservation. The Little Pond is National Trust. The Common and Great Pond are leased to and managed by the local council.
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