Frensham Common
51°10′N 00°47′W / 51.167°N 0.783°W
Frensham Common is a large Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) heathland of 922 acres (3.73 km2) owned by the National Trust which includes two lakes.
Terrain, plants and animals
Frensham Common is an English SSSI heathland of 922 acres (3.73 km2) owned by the National Trust which includes two large lakes and managed by Waverley Borough Council and almost wholly within Frensham, Surrey which is a nucleated village on alluvial soil narrowly buffered to the north-west, connected by a path. The local road network surrounds the site; the nearest trunk roads are 5 miles (8.0 km) away. The terrain is elevated and undulating — it has few streams due to the permeability of the soil[1] and high points in ridges to the south-east.[2]
Plants and animals
The site supports the sand lizard, smooth snake, woodlark, Dartford warbler and nightjar.[3]
Lakes
The expanse includes the largest lake in Surrey until the early 20th century, Frensham Great Pond (grid reference SU845400) and Frensham Little Pond (SU860415) built during the Middle Ages to provide fish for the Bishop of Winchester's estate, developed by Bishop Henry of Blois also known as Henry of Winchester who established Farnham Castle to the north, who owned this and nearby manors.
Tourism
A hotel adjoins the south side of the Great Lake by the yachting area. No more than five cottages exist in the common and one of these also is available is used as a visitor place to stay. [4] The north of the lake has car parks and picnic areas. North west of the common border is the small village, which adjoins two hamlets further across the River Wey.
Less than 5% of the Common is within spurs of the common in Churt to the south or Tilford to the north.
Four prehistoric bowl barrows are in a straight line in the centre-east of the common.[5] Villagers termed these the King's Ridge Barrows.[6]
Notable events
During the Second World War, tanks based in the Headley area used Frensham Common for training,[7] whilst Canadian soldiers used to gallop across the Common.[8] At this time, Frensham Great and Little Ponds were drained as otherwise they would have provided markers for German bombers.[9]
The lakes were used as a film location for the 1999 film The Mummy, posing as the river Nile.[10]
In the 1960s small rowing boats were available for hire on the Little Pond from a boathouse.[citation needed]
In 2010, 86 acres (35 ha) (9%) of the common was destroyed by fire.[11]
References
- ^ Cranfield University National Soil Resources Institute
- ^ Grid square map Ordnance survey website
- ^ Farnham online[dead link]
- ^ "Frensham Common Cottage". National Trust. Retrieved 2012-09-03.
- ^ Scheduled Ancient Monuments Three bowl barrows on Frensham Common Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1008880)". National Heritage List for England.
Bowl barrow on Frensham Common Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1013340)". National Heritage List for England. - ^ Megalithic
- ^ BBC WW2 People's War Stories
- ^ BBC WW2 People's War Stories
- ^ BBC WW2 People's Stories
- ^ Filming locations for The Mummy from IMDb
- ^ BBC - Surrey heath fire brought under control, 12 July 2010
External links
