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Pine and heather at the Land of Nod, 1912 |
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Pine and heather at the Land of Nod, 1912
The Land of Nod is the name given to an estate lying between Headley Down and Barford.
According to the present owner, the name came about when a man called Cane (or Keyne) who had been excommunicated lived here, we think in the early 1700s.
In the Bible, it was the land to which Cain was exiled after he had slain Abel. |
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It is unclear exactly where this picture was taken-possibly at the point on footpath No.19 where it descends sharply to the present parish boundary with Grayshott.
However, many people can still remember the area where Heatherlands has now been built as once being like this, 'the prettiest spot in Headley' from which there were wonderful views. |
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Ludshott Common, 1917 |
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Ludshott Common, 1917
Ludshott Common has belonged to The National Trust since 1908. Along with similar properties in Surrey and West Sussex it forms part of an extensive area of 'lowland heathland' owned by the Trust in this region. Continual management of the property has ensured, not only that the panoramic views of the South Downs and East Hampshire Hangers shown in this picture remain with us today, but also that the Common supports a diversity of rare animals and plants. |
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However, during two World Wars it was given over to the Army for training purposes, and significantly in the Second World War was used as a tank training ground. Locals remember it then as 'just a sea of mud' and 'absolutely barren of vegetation except for the bigger trees.' |
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The majority of Ludshott Common lies in the parish of Bramshott with small sections at the northern and western edges in the parishes of Grayshott and Headley. This view shows the small section of the common that is actually in Headley parish. The boundary with Bramshott runs from about this point diagonally left towards the back of properties in Furze Hill Road. This triangular piece of 'Headley Common' was given to The National Trust by Ingham Alexander Whitaker in 1911 to commemorate the Coronation of George V.
The road, known locally as the 'Grayshott Straight' and now designated B3002, runs between Hindhead and Bordon. During the Second World War, army tanks were hidden under the trees to the right, crossing the road for their crews to practice military operations on the common. |
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Ludshott Common, 1915 |
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Ludshott Common, 1915
Probably taken a little further towards Grayshott along the same road.
Until the early part of the 20th century, the commons were grazed by a variety of different animals which cropped the vegetation and restricted the growth of tree saplings. Since then, this maintenance has had to be performed by man. |
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The National Trust is carrying out plans to restore endangered species to their natural habitat-these include birds such as the nightjar, woodlark and Dartford warbler and reptiles such as the sand lizard and the smooth snake. |
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Map of Wishanger Manor Estate, about 1868 |
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Map of the Wishanger Manor Estate, c.1868
The estate, extending from Grayshott to Frensham Great Pond and over the county boundary into parts of Surrey in places, is shown shaded.
Note in particular the absence of buildings in Grayshott and Hindhead at this time.
(This map is in possession of the Whitaker family) |
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Grayshott Hall, 1882
Described in 1882 as a 'small mansion erected within the past five years,' and pictured here before the extensions of 1887 which added a tower and other features.
In the 1860s it was even smaller, being then called Grayshott Farm and described as a 'two-storeyed stone and brick house with small low rooms, windows with diamond panes and doors with bolts and bars'. |
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Front of Grayshott Hall, 1882 |
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| It was here in 1867 that Alfred Tennyson and his family rented rooms for about a year.
Joseph Whitaker of Palermo bought the Wishanger Estate in 1884 for one of his sons, Alexander Ingham Whitaker, who lived here until 1927.
More recently it has become a Health Fitness Retreat, for which Whitaker's motto in Latin over his front door seems entirely appropriate: Pax Intrantibus on entering-Salus Exeuntibus on leaving. |
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Introduction
Ludshott Common and Grayshott Hall
