Banstead Downs

Image: © Marathon Taken: 4 Nov 2013

The total area of Banstead Downs which remains is only a tiny fragment of an enormous tract of mostly unenclosed downland and woodland which formerly stretched from Carshalton in the north to the scarp slope of the North Downs near Reigate in the south. This was one of the last large remaining areas of the ancient Royal Forest which covered the entire county of Surrey in medieval times. Banstead Downs once boasted several racecourses, but these were gradually superseded by Epsom Downs. Enclosure of the downs started in the 18th century and accelerated during the next hundred years but there was still much open country in the mid-19th century. After a long legal battle what remained of Banstead Downs was granted to the Corporation of London by an Act of Parliament of 1893. Since the Second World War much of the downs has been invaded by scrub and woodland and little open grass land now remains. This area near Belmont station is one such area. The houses and flats in the distance are on Downs Road.

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