Banstead Downs

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Banstead Downs is a Site of Special Scientific Interest in Surrey, England. 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 are one of four green areas in the area referred to as Banstead Commons. The other areas are Burgh Heath (87 acres), Banstead Heath (760 acreas) and Park Downs (74 acres). These areas were the focus of a long legal battle in the 1800s.

Banstead Downs is home to the rare small blue butterfly.^[1]

The four burial mounds that can be seen on the downs been identified as dating to Saxon times and are known as the Gally Hills because they were used as the site of a gallows in the 15 th Century.

There are four tumuli on the site dating back to Saxon times. They are known as Gally Hills as they were the site of a gallows in the 15th century.

[edit] References

1. ^ Walk London with audio clip

[edit] External links

• Map
• Banstead Commons Conservators