Chatley Heath

Chatley Heath is part of 336 hectare reserve including Wisley Common, Ockham and parts of Hatchford. It is an area with a mixed habitats including heathland, ancient woodland and conifer woodland.[1] On the top of Chatley heath (formerly known as Breach Hill) is a tower built as part of the Royal Navy Semaphore line.

Chatley Heath Semaphore Tower

The octagonal tower was built as part of the Admiralty semaphore chain which operated between 1822 and 1847. It is the best preserved remaining tower and has a working semaphore mast. It is 60 feet (18 m) high with five storeys topped by a parapet built of red brick. It was occupied until 1963, when it was condemned as unfit because of lack of services. It then suffered vandalism and was damaged by fire in 1984. Surrey County Council and the Surrey Historic Buildings Trust restored the tower to mark the centenary of the County Council.[2] It is open to the public on Sundays in summer, and contains hands-on working semaphore models and displays on the history of overland naval communications in the early 19th century.[3]

Its mid-long distance access is the first exit immediately southwest of the Wisley Interchange of the A3, after meeting the M25 there. A roundabout at the interchange enables access from the Guildford direction. Local alternative access can also be obtained via East Clandon, East Horsley or Cobham.

References

  1. ↑ Wildlife Extra - Wisley Common, Ockham & Chatley Heath
  2. ↑ A Guide To The Industrial Archaeology Of The Borough Of Elmbridge
  3. ↑ Visit Surrey - Chatley Heath
Next station upwards Admiralty Semaphore line 1822 Next station downwards
Coopers Hill  Chatley Heath Pewley Hill 

Coordinates: 51°18′55″N 0°26′18″W / 51.31523°N 0.438268°W / 51.31523; -0.438268

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