The Surrey Hills National Landscape is a 422 km2 (163 sq mi) National Landscape in Surrey, England. It comprises around one quarter of the land area of the county and principally covers parts of the North Downs and Greensand Ridge.[1][2] It was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in May 1958[3] and was redesignated as a National Landscape in 2023. The Surrey Hills National Landscape borders the Kent Downs AONB to the east and the South Downs National Park to the south west.
| Surrey Hills National Landscape | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
 Location of the National Landscape in England | |
| Location | Surrey, England |
| Coordinates | 51°15′01″N 0°19′27″W / 51.2503°N 0.3243°W |
| Area | 422 km2 (163 sq mi) |
| Designated | May 1958 |
| Website | surreyhills.org |
Geography
edit
Hill
Hill
Corner
The highest summit of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, Leith Hill near Coldharbour, is 294 metres (965 ft) above sea level. It is part of the Greensand Ridge, which traverses the National Landscape from west to east, and is the second highest point in south-east England (Walbury Hill at 297 metres or 974 feet above sea level is the highest).
Blackheath Common is also part of the area.
The northern ridge of the hills, predominantly formed by chalk, is separated from the southern ridges, which are predominantly greensand, by the Vale of Holmesdale, which continues into Kent. The North Downs provide a haven for rare plants and insects. Parts of the area are owned and managed by the National Trust, including Ranmore Common, Leith Hill and Box Hill.
Other designations
editChiddingfold Forest, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), lies within the area.
Surrey Hills National Landscape is surrounded by an Area of Great Landscape Value, which covers a further eight percent of the county.[4]
Walking
editThe Surrey Hills area has three long-distance walks running through it: the North Downs Way, the Greensand Way and the Pilgrims' Way.
References
edit- ^ Findlater G (2009). "The State of the Surrey Hills AONB". Surrey Hills AONB. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
- ^ McKernan P (2007). "The cultural heritage of woodlands in the Surrey Hills AONB" (PDF). The cultural heritage of woodlands in the South East. Forestry Commission. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
- ^ "Outstanding beauty area to be preserved". Surrey Advertiser. No. 11776. 17 May 1958. p. 7.
- ^ Rob Fairbanks (2008). "Area of Great Landscape Value Designation". Surrey Hills AONB. Retrieved 26 March 2011.