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Post 15

This part of Old Redding Nature Reserve is Common land, called Harrow Weald Common. Looking ahead notice the fence that runs along to the left of the path. The ground to the right, and to a lesser extent, to the left, is clearly lower than the ground on which the fence sits. This is because in the 19th century enormous quantities of a mixture of gravel, sand and clay called the Claygate Beds was removed from Harrow Weald Common, mainly for roadmaking. The material packs down into a good hard, fast draining surface that was used for roads before the advent of tarmac. Since the area was common land there was no legal authority to stop the extraction until parliament finally acted in 1899 and gave local authorities powers to regulate activities on common land.

The area behind the fence on the left is private land and because of this was not subject to as much gravel extraction as experienced by Harrow Weald Common. As a place where the Claygate Beds have been less damaged, the area behind fence is a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (or SSSI).

As you walk ahead watch out for an arrow directing you to the left, beside an old bench.

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