Banstead

Banstead sits within the Reigate and Banstead borough of Surrey, centred on a compact high street with shops, cafés and community facilities. The town occupies a rise of land and is framed by residential streets and pockets of parkland such as Nork Park. The A217 (Brighton Road) passes through the area, giving a clear north–south route, and Banstead railway station provides local rail links to Sutton and Epsom, making the town a practical commuter base as well as a local service centre.

To the north of the centre, Banstead Downs is an open stretch of chalk grassland and common, with remnants of short turf and sunken gullies that have long been used for grazing and informal recreation. The Downs support a mix of grassland species that appear at different seasons and are crossed by public footpaths and bridleways. Small green spaces and playing fields are scattered through the built area, and regular community events are held around the high street and commons, reflecting how local open land and transport form the everyday pattern of the place.