Oxshott Heath and Woods facts for kids
Oxshott Heath and Woods is a cool place in Oxshott, Surrey, England. It's a big area of woods and open heathland, about 200 acres wide. That's like 150 football fields! It's a special kind of land called "common land." This means local people have some old rights here. They can walk around and even collect dead wood for their fires.
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Discover Oxshott Heath and Woods
This amazing area is about 0.81 square kilometers (that's 810,000 square meters!). Its unique shape comes from the ground itself. Here, a layer of London Clay meets a layer of sand. The sand sticks up, forming a small hill. From the top of this hill, you can see Box Hill near Dorking to the south. There's even a war memorial on the highest point.
Why is Oxshott Heath Important?
Oxshott Heath is part of a larger area called Esher Commons. It's so special that it's been named a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means it has important plants, animals, or geology that need protecting.
Plants and Trees You'll See
The types of trees growing here depend on the soil. You can find different kinds of trees in the woodlands:
- Mature and young oak trees
- Tall beech trees
- Light-colored birch trees
- Shiny silver birch (often on drier heathland)
- Green Scots Pine (also found on drier heathland)
Exploring the Area
Oxshott Heath and Woods has clear borders. To the south, you'll find the local railway line called the New Guildford Line. To the east is the A244 road, which goes between Esher and Leatherhead. To the north, there's the Portsmouth Road and more woods that connect to Esher Commons. To the west, you'll see many houses in Oxshott itself.
Oxshott Woods is a great place for visitors to enjoy nature. It has paths that go up and down hills, offering both easy and more challenging walks.
How Oxshott Heath is Looked After
Unlike the nearby Esher Commons, Oxshott Heath has its own special group of people who manage it. They are called a "board of conservators." This group was set up a long time ago, in 1904, to make sure the heath is well cared for.
Because it's "common land," people living in the area have rights to use it. They can walk around freely and even collect dead wood for their own fires. The local government owns the land, but these rights are protected.
A Cool Find from the Past
In 1935, something very old was discovered here! It was a round Anglo-Saxon bronze brooch from the early 900s. This amazing piece of history is now kept and shown at the British Museum. Experts believe it was made in England and has beautiful, detailed carvings of snakes on it.
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Oxshott Heath and Woods
an off-road section
