What is Banstead known for?

Banstead Downs, which for many centuries meant all the open land stretching from Epsom to Croydon and Reigate, became well known for horse racing in the 17th century.

What’s it like to live in Banstead?

Banstead is perfectly positioned between the city and Surrey countryside, just outside Greater London’s boundaries. Here you’ll find working farms, smallholdings and leafy lanes where it’s not unheard of to get stuck behind a tractor – yet it is well within the M25 and Travelcard zones.

Who owns Banstead Woods?

The area is located 1km to the south of Banstead, and to the west of Chipstead. The site is owned in parts by Surrey County Council and by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council.

How did Surrey get its name?

Surrey’s history The name Surrey is Saxon meaning “South Ridge” though later the name of the area was Sudergeona or “southern”. Little remains of the Roman or the Saxon periods in Surrey exist.

What borough is Banstead in?

borough of Reigate & Banstead
The borough of Reigate & Banstead is located in the county of Surrey within the south east of England. The borough covers approximately 12,900 hectares in area, stretching from the outer edge of London in the north to its border within West Sussex in the south.

Where do you park for Banstead Woods?

Holly Lane Car Park
How to Get to Banstead Woods By Car. Use Holly Lane Car Park (Chipstead) for your sat nav or the postcode CR5 3NR. The car park is just off the main road so you can’t miss it.

Is Banstead safe to live?

Banstead is among the top 5 most dangerous small towns in Surrey, and is the 27th most dangerous overall out of Surrey’s 105 towns, villages, and cities. The overall crime rate in Banstead in 2021 was 62 crimes per 1,000 people.

Are there toilets in Banstead Woods?

Banstead Woods’ recorded history stretches back for nearly a thousand years, to the time of the Domesday Book in 1086. There are no toilets or places for refreshments along the actual route, however there are many benches along the way should you wish to bring a picnic.

Can you cycle in Banstead Woods?

This large open space in Banstead has lots of walking trails to follow. There’s also bridleways which are suitable for cyclists. Part of the Banstead Commons the heath covers 760 acres with miles of paths popular with dog walkers and cyclists. Also nearby are Banstead Downs and Banstead Woods.

What is the history of Surrey?

Surrey may have formed part of a larger Middle Saxon kingdom or confederacy, also including areas north of the Thames. The name Surrey is derived from Sūþrīge (or Suthrige), meaning “southern region”, and this may originate in its status as the southern portion of the Middle Saxon territory.

Is Harry Potter from Surrey?

Harry Potter grew up in a Surrey town – but where? Little Winging and the iconic house where Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon begrudgingly brought up Harry Potter is in Surrey. The fictional town, created by author JK Rowling, is where Harry lives and sleeps in a cupboard under the stairs.

What council is Banstead?

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council provides a range of local government services in the Reigate and Banstead borough of east Surrey, which includes the towns of Reigate, Redhill, Horley and Banstead.

Where is Banstead in England?

/ 51.322; -0.204 Banstead is a town bordering Greater London in the borough of Reigate and Banstead in Surrey, England. It is 2.5 miles (4 km) south of Sutton, 5 miles (8 km) south-west of Croydon, 7.5 miles (12 km) south-east of Kingston-upon-Thames, and 13.3 miles (21 km) south of Central London .

What is the history of Banstead Asylum?

On the site of Downview and Highdown Prisons by the end of the 19th century stood one of the London County Lunatic Asylums, Banstead Asylum, a psychiatric hospital from 1873 to 1986.

How many mentally ill people were kept at Banstead Mental Hospital?

It was to house 1000 mentally ill people from London, but this soon rose to 2,000 and later 2,500. In modern times, the inmates were treated as patients and the institution became a psychiatric hospital known as Banstead Hospital. This was closed in October 1986.

What is the history of the Banstead Commons?

The Banstead area has four distinct areas of Commons which were the subject of a long legal battle in the late 1800s. These are: The Banstead Common Conservators have published a leaflet on the subject and this is freely available from the Help Shop in the Horseshoe at the western end of Banstead High Street.