H.G. Wells lived in Woking while writing The War of the Worlds and used the common as the specific setting for the initial alien arrival.
The Horsell Common Preservation Society was formed in 1910 to prevent the land from being enclosed or developed for urban expansion.
The park contains a memorial sculpture known as the Martian Tripod, installed in 1998 to commemorate the book's centenary.
It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its unique dry heathland habitat.
The area was historically part of the larger Windsor Forest and was subject to commoners' rights for grazing and fuel collection.
Horsell Common is a 350-hectare site of biological importance characterized by heathland, woodland, and wetland habitats. It is internationally recognized as the landing site for the Martian cylinder in H.G. Wells' science fiction novel, The War of the Worlds. The site is managed by the Horsell Common Preservation Society, which maintains a network of public bridleways and footpaths. It features the protected Heathtown area, which is part of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area. The landscape is primarily composed of sandy soil, supporting rare flora and fauna such as the woodlark and Dartford warbler. The area remains a functional agricultural and conservation space, preserved through local community trust oversight rather than municipal ownership. It serves as a vital corridor for local wildlife and a venue for low-impact outdoor recreation.
The Martian Tripod sculpture located near the junction of the main public paths.
Wear waterproof footwear, as the paths can become waterlogged and muddy after rainfall.
Keep dogs on leads during the bird breeding season to protect ground-nesting species.
Bring a map or GPS, as the network of woodland tracks can be disorienting for first-time visitors.
Do not attempt to walk off-path during the nesting season or in high-risk fire periods, and avoid parking on grass verges.
Clean up after dogs, stay on marked paths to protect rare heathland vegetation, and do not remove plants or wood.
