A prominent historic landmark in Banstead is the four Gally Hills on Banstead Downs. The area can also be explored via walking trails, varied landscapes and other leisure activities. This gives you specific interests to consider when planning your trip: time outdoors, archaeology, culture or golf.

Nature and Trails

Banstead Heath is designated a Site of Nature Conservation Importance and comprises traditional heathland, acid grassland meadows and areas of secondary woodland. Banstead Woods is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI); the council manages the area in accordance with Natural England’s guidelines.

The Banstead Commons are open to everyone for recreation. The Banstead Commons Conservators organise a programme of guided walks every year. This means general recreation on the commons and an annual programme of guided walks are two different ways to plan your visit.

The Narnia Trail in Banstead Woods starts at the Holly Lane car park on Holly Lane, Banstead, Surrey CR5 3NR. It takes about half an hour and is mostly suitable for pushchairs. However, some paths are gravelled and have steep slopes. If you are planning to bring a pushchair, take these path conditions into account when deciding.

Banstead Woods has a 3-mile (5-kilometre) circular walking trail through 250 acres of ancient woodland. The information answers different planning questions: the Narnia Trail is described in terms of its approximate duration, while the circular trail is described by its distance. You can then decide whether the time available or the distance you want to cover matters more to you.

Banstead Heath has more than eight miles of bridleways and designated riding routes. If horse riding is one of your interests, it adds a distinct activity to the walking options and another focus for planning your stay.

History and Culture

The four Gally Hills on Banstead Downs are historic monuments and rare examples of Anglo-Saxon hlaews, or burial mounds. On Banstead Heath, the site of a Roman villa lies at Chussex Plain. These archaeological sites represent different periods: burial mounds on Banstead Downs and a Roman villa site at Chussex Plain.

In the Middle Ages, Banstead Woods was a deer park where royal red deer were kept; the land was enclosed in 1439. This connects its medieval use with a specific date for the enclosure of the land.

The Church of All Saints in Banstead also has a specific art-historical connection: the west windows feature designs by Dante Gabriel Rossetti and William Morris. For those interested in church art, this detail adds another way to explore the area’s history alongside its archaeological and landscape themes.

The Banstead Downs Golf Club course is a par-71 course measuring just under 6,600 yards. These two key figures help golf enthusiasts assess the course; golf complements the nature- and history-related themes with a sporting option.

Discover more destinations: Charlwood, Newchapel, Smallfield, Godalming, Brookwood, Ash, Englefield Green, Betchworth

For the wider travel overview: Surrey.