Frensham Little Pond
Children will love the little beaches around the pond and walking along the dam.
Lots of ducks and swans on Frensham Little Pond
The Basics
Time: 45 mins
Distance: 2.6 km
Terrain: Flat, sandy paths
Pushchair: Yes
Dogs: Yes. On leads from May to September and they should not enter the water at any time.
Refreshments: Light lunches, hot drinks and snacks from The Tern Café with outdoor seating beside the pond.
Toilets: Behind the café
Parking: There are two car parks along Priory Lane. The first, smaller one is free. The main car park further along is free to National Trust members, but will cost £1.50 per hour for first 2 hours; £4 for up-to 4 hours; £6 for 5 hours and above - use Paybyphone (Postcode: GU103BT - W3W: stylists/skirting/lavender)
The medieval stone dam ahead
Many people will be familiar with Frensham Little Pond’s nearby big brother, the Great Pond, which provides a well-known inland beach and swimming spot. But just around the corner is this smaller version and the good news is that as swimming is not allowed here, nature thrives and the crowds are fewer.
The Route
There are plenty of paths linking the ponds across Frensham Common. You could easily explore and make up your own route. For families, we recommend an easy to follow loop around the circumference of the pond.
The main car park is at the end of Priory Road, near the café and the start of the circular pond walk. You will need to pay to park here unless you are National Trust members. A free alternative is the smaller car park that you pass first on Priory Lane. If you want to save some pennies and park here, it is only a five minute walk to get to the same start point. If you chose this car park, stand looking at the information board and turn left along the sandy path. You will soon pass another information board to your right. You can chose to take a diversion here up the hill to the view point over the pond at Sandy Ridge. Otherwise, keep going in a straight line until you reach the main car park.
From the main car park, continue towards the Tern Café. Veer right just before the café through an area of scots pines down to a sandy beach.
From here, the rest of the walk is incredibly self explanatory. Just follow the pond walk (orangey yellow markers) in an anti-clockwise direction around the pond. As long as you are on the path closest to the pond, then you can’t go wrong!
As you near completion of the circuit, you will leave the side of the pond briefly to pass over a short boardwalk before returning to the water at the medieval stone dam.
Did you know?
In 1940 the pond was drained to stop it being used as a recognisable landmark for enemy aircraft. The area was then used as a military training ground until it was refilled nearly a decade later.
If you liked this walk…
…try this one around Frensham Great Pond which has similar scenery, but you can swim in the water.
