Prince's Coverts facts for kids
Prince's Coverts is a large woodland area in Oxshott, Surrey, England. It covers about 864 acres (3.5 square kilometers). This beautiful forest is open for everyone to visit. The Crown Estate owns and looks after it. They also call this area Oxshott Woods. It is located next to Malden Rushett in Greater London, the Pachesham Park estate, and Leatherhead Golf Course.
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Exploring Prince's Coverts: What's Inside?
Prince's Coverts is a huge woodland managed by the Crown Estate. It covers 864 acres, which is about 349 hectares. The woodland is split into different parts by roads. These parts include a smaller northern section, Great Oakes, and Sixty Acre Wood. There's also an area called Woodlands Park to the south.
Some parts of the southern woodland have been changed for other uses. For example, there's the Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for Disabled People's Training College. There's also the Dorincourt home for disabled people. Woodlands Park Golf Course and Tyrwhitt House, a center for combat stress, are also in this area.
The southern part of the woods drains its water towards the River Mole. This river is about 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) south of the training college. The northern part of the woods has hills and is where three streams of the Rythe begin. These streams flow north. The main part of Prince's Coverts is what the Crown Estate calls Oxshott Woods.
The Story Behind the Name: Prince Leopold's Woods
Prince's Coverts got its name from Prince Leopold I of Belgium. He later became the first King of Belgium. Prince Leopold lived at Claremont Park in Esher, which is about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) north-west of the woods. A special path for horses, called a bridleway, still connects Claremont Park to Prince's Coverts. You can see two white metal coal tax posts along this path.
Prince Leopold bought the Claremont Estate in 1816. He then bought more land nearby, which he used as a place for hunting. This hunting area became known as Prince's Coverts. After Prince Leopold passed away, the Crown bought the estate back. Since then, the Crown Estate has been managing these woods.
Special Spots in the Woods: Hills and Wells
Prince's Coverts has some interesting natural features.
Jessop's Well: A Historic Water Spring
Jessop's Well is a special water spring. Some maps also call it Chalybeate. In the mid-18th century, a small spa house was built around this spring. A spa house is a place where people could drink or bathe in mineral water for health. For a while, the water from this well was even sold to people living in Berkeley Square, London. They paid 6 old pennies for a bottle.
Horns Hill: The Highest Point
Horns Hill is the highest spot in Prince's Coverts. It's about 260 feet (79 meters) high. This hill is one of several small, rounded hills, called knolls, in the area. These knolls are made of gravel and London clay. They are located north of the much higher North Downs. The soil here is rich in loam, which is a mix of sand, silt, and clay. This type of land stretches through areas like Wimbledon, Streatham Hill, Tulse Hill, Sydenham, and Penge.
Finding Your Way: Maps and Access
The Crown Estate publishes a leaflet that includes a detailed map of Prince's Coverts. This map can help you explore the woods.
How to Visit Prince's Coverts
In 2008, the woods were fenced, and you needed a key to get in. But since 2014, walkers no longer need a key to enter. Signs now show that walkers are very welcome! If you want to ride a horse, you will need a special permit.
There are many paths to explore throughout the woodland. There's even a 3.5-mile (5.6-kilometer) waymarked trail that starts at Prince's Gate.
Main Entrances to the Woods
You can enter Prince's Coverts from several points:
- Highgate Cottage Gate: This entrance is on the B280 road (Fairoak Lane).
- Prince's Gate: You can find this entrance on the A244 road.
- Track to D'Abernon Farm: This track is near The Star pub on the A243 road (Leatherhead Road).
- Footpath from Prince's Drive, Oxshott: This path comes from a private road. You can enter through a stile without needing a key.
- Narrow gap on Fairoak Lane: There's a small opening at the north-east corner of Fairoak Lane. It's almost directly across from the road to Chessington World of Adventures.
More Information
- Welcome to Prince's Coverts Oxshott - This is a leaflet published by The Crown Estate Office, The Great Park, Windsor, SL4 2HT.
