Banstead Downs
Coordinates: 51°20′06″N 0°11′35″W / 51.335°N 0.193°W Banstead Downs is a Site of Special Scientific Interest in Surrey, England (bordering Greater London). It covers 430 acres (1.7 km2). To the west is the A217 and to east is the B2218. The town to the north is Sutton, whilst Banstead lies to the south and Epsom to the west. It lies at about 125 metres above sea level and is bisected by a railway line.
Archaeological finds on Banstead Downs include Roman and Iron Age pottery and Bronze Age axes. Saxon bowl barrows have been found at the "Gally Hills" site to the west of Brighton Road. The name Gally Hills possibly indicates the former position of a gallows and a gibbet is said to have stood nearby. The northern most barrow of the remaining Gally Hill barrows was excavated during May 1972, after extensive damage, and was thought to contain the remains of a Saxon warrior. Other secondary burials, in which were found two intact skeletons with dislocated necks, suggest that gallows victims were also buried nearby.
Banstead Downs are recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086, when they were the property of Bishop Odo, the half-brother of William the Conqueror.
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