Newlands Corner

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Newlands Corner is a 103-hectare nature reserve near Guildford in Surrey, England. It is owned by the Albury Estate and was once managed by the Surrey Wildlife Trust under an access agreement, but it is no longer managed by them.

The site sits on chalk grassland with woodlands and sits along the Greensand Ridge on the North Downs. It rises to about 567 feet (173 metres) and offers wide views across the countryside. The area features chalk grassland and trees, including 129 ancient yew trees. Many are hundreds of years old, with some so large that hollow trunks allow a person to walk through.

History: Newlands Corner is famously connected to the disappearance of Agatha Christie in December 1926. Her car was found in a chalk pit at the hill’s south side, and she was later found in Harrogate. The location also appears in a Doctor Who episode, The Unicorn and the Wasp.

Astronomy: Drove Road at Newlands Corner is a well-known dark-sky site near London, popular with amateur astronomers. In winter, observers can see Orion and Gemini. The Guildford Astronomical Society and other groups hold public events there, often with around 25 telescopes and about 150 attendees.

Future plans: In 2015, Surrey County Council announced plans to cut funding to the Surrey Wildlife Trust, which led to petitions and local opposition. In 2018, parking charges were introduced, but plans to build a restaurant, shops, and a coach park were halted.