Banstead Downs
Encyclopedia
Banstead Downs is a Site of Special Scientific Interest
in Surrey
, England
(but bordering Greater London
). It covers 430 acres (1.7 km²). To the west is the A217 and to east is the B2218. The town to the north is Sutton
; whilst Banstead
lies to the south. It lies at about 125 m above sea level and is bisected by a railway line.
The Downs is one of four green areas in the area referred to as Banstead Commons. The other areas are Burgh Heath
(87 acres), Banstead Heath (760 acres) and Park Downs (74 acres). These areas were the focus of a long legal battle in the 19th century.
Banstead Downs is home to the rare small blue butterfly
.
The four tumuli
(burial mounds) that can be seen on the Downs have been identified as dating from Saxon
times and are known as the Gally Hills because they are the site of a 15th century gallows
.
Much of the Downs is used as a golf course.
Site of Special Scientific Interest
A Site of Special Scientific Interest is a conservation designation denoting a protected area in the United Kingdom. SSSIs are the basic building block of site-based nature conservation legislation and most other legal nature/geological conservation designations in Great Britain are based upon...
in Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
(but bordering Greater London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
). It covers 430 acres (1.7 km²). To the west is the A217 and to east is the B2218. The town to the north is Sutton
Sutton, London
Sutton is a large suburban town in southwest London, England, and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Sutton. It is located south-southwest of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. The town was connected to central London by...
; whilst Banstead
Banstead
Banstead is a town in the borough of Reigate and Banstead in the county of Surrey, England, on the border with Greater London. It lies south of London, west of Croydon and of the county town of Kingston-Upon-Thames. Banstead is on the North Downs and is protected by the Metropolitan Green Belt;...
lies to the south. It lies at about 125 m above sea level and is bisected by a railway line.
The Downs is one of four green areas in the area referred to as Banstead Commons. The other areas are Burgh Heath
Burgh Heath
Burgh Heath is a residential area of the borough of Reigate and Banstead in Surrey, England. It is located on the A217 road, between Banstead and Tadworth. A neighbouring village is Nork...
(87 acres), Banstead Heath (760 acres) and Park Downs (74 acres). These areas were the focus of a long legal battle in the 19th century.
Banstead Downs is home to the rare small blue butterfly
Butterfly
A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
.
The four tumuli
Tumulus
A tumulus is a mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves. Tumuli are also known as barrows, burial mounds, Hügelgrab or kurgans, and can be found throughout much of the world. A tumulus composed largely or entirely of stones is usually referred to as a cairn...
(burial mounds) that can be seen on the Downs have been identified as dating from Saxon
Anglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon is a term used by historians to designate the Germanic tribes who invaded and settled the south and east of Great Britain beginning in the early 5th century AD, and the period from their creation of the English nation to the Norman conquest. The Anglo-Saxon Era denotes the period of...
times and are known as the Gally Hills because they are the site of a 15th century gallows
Gallows
A gallows is a frame, typically wooden, used for execution by hanging, or by means to torture before execution, as was used when being hanged, drawn and quartered...
.
Much of the Downs is used as a golf course.