Lead organisation
Partner organisations
Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership
Project description
Runfold Ridge is a 12-hectare Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) perched on the Hogs Back, part of the iconic North Downs. Once a working agricultural field, the site transferred to The Land Trust in 2020 and is now being transformed back to vibrant chalk grassland. Through a carefully planned programme of works—including hay cutting and collection, green hay seeding, kidney vetch planting to support the small blue butterfly, and the creation of chalk scrapes—the site is being revitalised to benefit chalk grassland flora and invertebrates.
Open to the public, Runfold Ridge not only supports wildlife but also provides a space for local communities to connect with nature. Thoughtful management of woodland and scrub alongside restored grassland is helping the site recover from its agricultural past while providing climate and soil benefits, carbon sequestration, and opportunities for recreation and wellbeing.
Project location
A 12-hectare ex-agricultural site overlooking the Hog's Back chalk ridge. Tongham Road, Runfold, Surrey, GU10 1PJ.
Contribution to Big Chalk
Though modest in size, Runfold Ridge plays a vital role in the wider Hogs Back and North Downs network, forming an important stepping stone for species such as the small blue butterfly. By restoring chalk grassland and broadening habitat diversity, the project strengthens ecological connectivity across the landscape. Reduced land-use intensity enhances climate resilience, stabilises soils, and supports biodiversity while offering local communities a space to enjoy, explore, and benefit from nature.
Do you have a project that could strengthen the future of southern England’s iconic chalk and limestone landscapes?
The Big Chalk programme brings together a dynamic suite of partner-led projects, each unique in its focus, area, and partnerships but sharing a commitment to our collective vision.
If your project contributes to the Big Chalk mission, we invite you to register it as a Big Chalk Project. Registered projects gain access to networking, shared learning, and best practice—alongside the Big Chalk brand, boosting your profile and connecting you to a powerful, growing network of partners.
Together, these projects form a united effort to secure the future of southern England’s chalk and limestone landscapes, making a lasting impact for nature and communities.