Puttenham and Crooksbury Commons

Puttenham and Crooksbury Commons

Site of Special Scientific Interest
Puttenham Common
Location	Surrey
Grid reference	SU 911 461
Interest	Biological
Area	113.8 hectares (281 acres)
Notification	1986
Location map	Magic Map

Puttenham and Crooksbury Commons is a 113.8-hectare (281-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest between Farnham and Guildford in Surrey. Puttenham Common is owned by the Hampton Estate and managed on behalf of Surrey County Council. Hillbury Hillfort on Puttenham Common is a scheduled monument. It is a univallate hillfort which probably dates to the Iron Age.

Crooksbury Common

Looking at the only sector of the potential view available in 2014, which is otherwise obscured by trees. Centred looking to the west of Hindhead from the view-table SU 8787 4595.

Crooksbury hill at 162 metres (531 ft), is the highest point on Crooksbury Common. It is the 21st highest hill in Surrey. Atop the hill lies a triangulation point with views over the valley towards Hindhead and Gibbet Hill. It was mentioned in a Sherlock Holmes short story, "The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist", in which Holmes is 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

Puttenham Common is of archaeological interest. There is a hill fort at Hillbury which is a scheduled monument, probably dating back to the Iron Age. The site can be found on the highest point of the hill above Cutmill pond.<ref>