Narnia Trail

Narnia

IN BANSTEAD WOODS

Discover the Narnia trail at Banstead Woods and Chipstead Downs Nature Reserve

The wonderfully magical characters from CS Lewis’ classic children’s tale The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe have been carefully sculptured from standing deadwood by talented chainsaw sculptor Ella from The Tree Pirates and installed at various points throughout Banstead Woods and Chipstead Downs Nature Reserve. Lucy Pevensey can be found waiting by the lamppost near the car park and Aslan the lion sits proudly only a few metres away. A short walk across the field and left into the woods is where you will discover the snow queen standing tall. Then a short stroll away you can even walk through the wooden wardrobe, pushing aside the wooden hanging coats. This wonderful trail has been in place since 2017 and was installed by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s Greenspaces team with permission from The CS Lewis Company Ltd. “Children will be able to step through the wardrobe and discover characters from CS Lewis’s famous book, while also discovering the site’s wonderful flora and fauna”, says Cllr Dr Lynne Hack, deputy leader and executive member for environment. Chipstead Downs and Banstead Woods have some of the finest views in the North Downs and is hugely popular with runners, dog walkers and nature lovers. Banstead Woods encompasses 250 acres of beautiful ancient woodland, with history stretching back for nearly a thousand years, to the time of the Domesday Book in 1086. In Bluebell season (mid-April to May), Banstead Woods are carpeted in beautiful Bluebells, especially in the old Orchard area. As you walk through the woods, you do see pockets of bluebells but it’s when you get to the Orchard area that there are blankets of Bluebells to enjoy.