Puttenham & Crooksbury Commons

Puttenham & Crooksbury Commons lie to the south of the Hog's Back which runs between Farnham and Guildford in Surrey, England. The commons are sites of special scientific interest (SSSI) [ [http://www.guildford.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/AA01380B-24A8-4495-A978-6B07FD433E8D/0/WS_APP_4.pdf Guildford Borough] ] and are managed by English Nature. Both commons lie on greensand and are covered with heathland.

Crooksbury Common

Crooksbury hill at 162 metres, is the highest point on Crooksbury Common. Atop the hill lies a triangulation point with views over the valley towards Hindhead and Gibbet Hill. It was mentioned in a Sherlock Holmes novel named "The Solitary Cyclist" were Holmes was called upon to solve a singularly interesting case involving Miss Violet Smith.

The name Crooksbury is of Celtic origin. The fragments 'cruc' or 'crug' refer to burial mounds usually on a hill-top, which may pertain to fact there are earthworks on the flank of Crooksbury hill one of which is called Soldier's Ring.

Puttenham Common

Surrey Wildlife trust notes that Puttenham Common is of archaeological interest. There is a hill fort at Hillbury which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, probably dating back to the Iron Age. The site can be found on the highest point of the hill above Cutmill pond. [ [http://www.surreywildlifetrust.co.uk/Default.asp?EntityID=%7B159E2D4D-204C-4095-8858-2F928C38532C%7D Surrey Wildlife trust - Puttenham Common] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1001070.pdf English Nature]
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/279513 Map and photo of Crooksbury Common]