Castle Hill, Chessington facts for kids
Castle Hill is a really cool place in Chessington, London. It's like a secret spot that's super important for both history and nature! It covers about 3.5 hectares, which is like 7 football fields.
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Discover Castle Hill!
Castle Hill is a very special place. It's known as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, which means it's a historical site protected by law. It's also a Local Nature Reserve, meaning it's a special area set aside to protect nature. Plus, it's considered a Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation, Grade 1, which means it's one of the most important places for wildlife in the local area.
Who Looks After Castle Hill?
This amazing site is owned by Merton College, Oxford, which is a famous university college. They lease, or rent, the land to Kingston Council. The good news is that a group called the Lower Mole Countryside Management Project helps look after Castle Hill. They work hard to keep it a great place for both people and wildlife.
Exploring Nature and History
Castle Hill used to be part of a large deer park. You can still see old bumps and ditches in the ground there. These are called earthworks and they might have been part of a medieval hunting lodge. A hunting lodge was a building used by people long ago, perhaps for hunting or as a place to stay.
The Bonesgate Stream flows along one side of Castle Hill. The woods here are very old, with lots of oak and hazel trees. If you visit, you might see beautiful flowers like bluebells, wood anemones, and wood sedge growing on the ground. It's also a great spot for birdwatching! You might hear or spot birds like jays, great spotted woodpeckers, and song thrushes.
How to Visit Castle Hill
You can get to Castle Hill from Filby Road. Right next to it, to the north, is the Bonesgate Open Space. If you go east, you'll find Horton Country Park in Surrey. It's a wonderful place to explore nature and history!
