Welcome To Banstead Commons
Banstead Commons consists of 1350 acres (550 hectares) of open green spaces and are comprised of four separate areas; Banstead Heath, Banstead Downs, Park Downs and Burgh Heath.
Banstead Commons are owned by Reigate and Banstead Council. As a result of the Metropolitan Commons (Banstead) Supplemental Act of 1893, the Commons are managed by the Banstead Commons Conservators. The Act conferred upon the Conservators a statutory duty to ensure safe and free access for the public to the commons and to protect the Commons from damage and trespass.
Whilst society and the local area have changed greatly over the 130 years, the role of the Conservators has remained essentially the same: to protect the integrity of the Commons from landowners and other external pressures.
DiscoverOur Commons
A Haven For Nature
As well as providing important recreational areas, the Commons are important wildlife habitats. The northernmost two, Banstead Downs and Park Downs, are chalk downland and are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to their rich biodiversity. Banstead Heath and Burgh Heath are made up of a mosaic of heathland, acid grassland and woodland habitats providing rich and diverse landscapes.
Latest News
Conservation grazing update – Banstead Downs
Apr 2024
Our small flock of twenty seven sheep, a mixture of Herdwick and Beaulah Speckled Face breeds, will be introduced to Pen 3 on Banstead Downs on Thursday 11 April The grazing enclosure is highlighted in red on the map below Visitor access to the enclosure is not permitted at this time We estimate the sheep will be grazing this section of grassland for approximately ten weeks depending on the vegetation growth The grassland areas of...
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