Top 15 Natural Monuments around Pirbright

The Sandpit on Horsell Common is arguably the Common’s most popular and interesting feature. This tranquil beauty-spot is a particular favourite with children, dog walkers and photographers. Historically the Sandpit was excavated for many years for sand and gravel to supply building materials. However, the site is best known as being the location where the Martians first landed in the famous 1897 science fiction novel “The War of the Worlds” by H. G. Wells. When he wrote this work Wells was living in Woking just a mile and a half away so this proximity doubtless influenced his choice of the Sandpit for the first Martian landing.

The excellent Guildford Castle Grounds are unique, interesting and well worth visiting during a hiking, cycling or running tour. The Grounds are famous for their excellent flower displays in the valley that surrounds the Castle Keep. Other free attractions include the remains of Castle walls, passageways, a Victorian bandstand (where music concerts take place), a delightful 17th century bowling green bordered on one side by specimen beech trees, an impressive war memorial and a life-size statue of Alice Through the Looking Glass. Guildford Castle Grounds has a fascinating history. The Castle is thought to have been built either by William the Conqueror or by one of his barons soon after the Norman invasion of England in 1066. The Castle has been used as a Royal Palace, a prison and as a private residence. The grounds at the Castle were opened as public gardens in 1888 to mark the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887. You might wish to explore the Guildford Castle Grounds or to simply admire its scenery during a stop for a snack and a drink. However, should you have time, you may also wish to climb the Castle Great Tower via its spiral staircase. This will give a panoramic view of Guildford and its beautiful surrounding countryside, and provide an appreciation of why the Castle’s location is strategically good.

Estimated to be about 950 years old, the Newlands Corner yew trees are one of the oldest large populations of wild yews growing anywhere in the world. A survey conducted in 2012 found six yews with a girth of at least 19.7 feet (6 m) and 17 yews with a girth of at least 16.4 feet (5 m). The UK’s ‘Ancient Yew Group’ state that the oldest yews originated from about the time of the Norman invasion (and are demonstrably about 950 years old). There is also a ‘Black Death’ cohort of yews that date from soon after 1348 and are about 670 years old. Unfortunately, two of the ancient yew trees at Newlands Corner have died recently for an unknown reason. This has led to the construction of a boardwalk to protect the roots of three of the oldest surviving yews as part of a ‘Yew Tree Project’. The boardwalk is next to the main footpath between Guildford Golf Course and Newlands Corner. It was inspiring to see an ancient yew woodland of international standing where the trees date back to soon after 1066!

Make sure to stroll through the historic grounds of Guildford Castle whilst visiting this wonderful city. The 11th-century castle sits atop a hill in Guildford, providing some picturesque views across the surrounding countryside. The gardens of the castle are beautifully pristine and feature a multitude of colourful flowers and a moat. The castle grounds are free to enter, and if you want to go inside the castle itself, a small fee of under £5 will be required.

Newlands Corner sits upon the North Downs Way and is a fantastic spot to sit and take a break. You can also pick up some refreshments here too as there is a café in the car park. It is popular but there really is plenty of wide open space so pick your spot and enjoy the view. It is here that Agatha Christie's car was found after she went missing for 11 days in 1926.

One of the most well known spots in the Surrey Hills, Newlands corner is almost like the gateway to the North Downs and Guildford.

Depending on the time of the day the queue for food is very long. Beautiful views. A25 is a bit too busy for me.

The spring rising in this cave was reportedly used as a water source by the monks of Waverley Abbey. The cave was naturally formed by the spring, but it was later enlarged and made into a grotto. An ironstone arched entrance was later added in Victorian times. The cave is the subject of a number of local legends, including that of Mother Ludlam, white witch of Waverley, herbalist and helper of the poor.