Heathland is a significant component in the Surrey Hills landscape, covering some 18% of the AONB as heaths and commons. Extensive areas of heathland occur in south west Surrey at Thursley, Frensham and Hindhead, and unusually at Headley on acid soil overlying chalk. Heathland also survives in numerous small pockets, as at the Hurtwood, Leith Hill, Blackheath and Crooksbury. These heathlands represent one of Europe’s most important and threatened habitats which is reflected in the designation of Thursley as a National Nature Reserve.