Open Space
Banstead Downs is a large site of Special Scientific Interest, covering 430 acres (1.7 km2). 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, which are overall referred to as Banstead Commons. The other areas are Burgh Heath (87 acres), Banstead Heath (760 acres) and Park Downs (74 acres). 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.
Read more about this topic: Banstead
Famous quotes containing the words open and/or space:
“She saw
her five young children
writhe and die;
in that hour
she began to watch you,
she whose eyes are open forever.”
—Denise Levertov (b. 1923)
“This moment exhibits infinite space, but there is a space also wherein all moments are infinitely exhibited, and the everlasting duration of infinite space is another region and room of joys.”
—Thomas Traherne (1636–1674)