Newlands Corner facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Newlands Corner
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Type	Nature reserve
Location	Guildford, Surrey
OS grid	TQ044493
Area	103 hectares (250 acres)
Managed by	Surrey Wildlife Trust

Newlands Corner is a beautiful nature reserve located east of Guildford in Surrey, England. It covers about 103-hectare (250-acre) of land. This special place is owned by the Albury Estate. However, it is looked after by the Surrey Wildlife Trust. They manage it so people can visit and enjoy nature. This arrangement is part of an agreement with Surrey County Council.

Exploring Newlands Corner's Nature

Newlands Corner is a fantastic place to explore. It sits on a hill that reaches about 567 feet (173 m) high. The slopes are covered in grass where animals sometimes graze. You'll also find many trees scattered around.

Unique Habitats and Ancient Trees

The area has different types of natural spaces. There are parts with chalk grassland. This is a special kind of grassy area that grows on chalky soil. You can also find beautiful woodlands here. Newlands Corner is part of the Western Greensand Ridge. This is a long line of hills known for their natural beauty. The famous North Downs Way walking path also goes through this site.

One of the most amazing features is the collection of ancient yew trees. On the northern wooded slope, there are 129 yew trees. Each of these trees has a trunk that is more than 3.5 meters around. This means they are likely over 500 years old! Some yews are even bigger, with trunks over 6 meters around. These giant trees could be more than 1000 years old. Some of these ancient trees are so old that their centers are hollow. You can even walk right through them!

Newlands Corner in History and Pop Culture

Newlands Corner has a few interesting stories connected to it. It was a key location in a famous mystery.

The Mystery of Agatha Christie

In December 1926, the famous crime writer Agatha Christie disappeared. Her car was found at Newlands Corner. It was in a bush hanging over a chalk pit. This pit was at the bottom of the south side of the hill. Agatha Christie was found several days later. She had checked into a hotel in Harrogate using a different name. Because of this real-life mystery, Newlands Corner was used in a TV show. It became the setting for the final scene of the Doctor Who episode "The Unicorn and the Wasp".

Stargazing at Newlands Corner

Newlands Corner is also a great spot for looking at the stars. The Drove Road area is known as a "dark sky site." This means it's far enough from city lights to see the stars clearly. It's a good place for amateur astronomy near London. The downhill slope faces south, which is perfect for seeing many constellations. In winter, you can often see Orion and Gemini. Once or twice a year, the Guildford Astronomical Society holds public events here. They bring about 25 telescopes for people to use. Around 150 members of the public usually attend these fun stargazing nights.

Changes and Future Plans

Over the years, there have been some discussions about Newlands Corner's future.

In October 2015, Surrey County Council announced plans to reduce funding for the Surrey Wildlife Trust. This news caused a lot of concern. Many local residents and councils were unhappy. An online petition was started, and a "Save Newlands Corner" website was created. In July 2018, parking charges were introduced at the site. However, bigger plans for new buildings like a restaurant, shops, and a coach park were stopped.

Gallery

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  Panorama view south

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  Panorama view south west

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  Panorama view south east