A beautiful place. Enchanting reflections in the Hammer-Pond at Friday Street in the heart of the Surrey Hills.
Commentary.
Early autumn and the leaves begin to change colour and fall.
The lush foliage of this gem, tucked away in the back-slope of Leith Hill always impresses me.
The old hammer-pond is a remnant of a medieval iron industry.
One of the tributaries of the River Tillingbourne was dammed in the 16th. Century.
The fall of water created working forge-hammers that shaped the smelted iron into farm implements, fences, gates, tools, weapons, cannons and cannon balls.
The iron was found in the local rock, Lower Greensand.
The industry faded here, when cheaper, more plentiful supplies of iron was discovered in various parts of Central and Northern England.
However, it can still be seen to this day.
On many local buildings ironstone has been built into the mortar to both strengthen and decorate it.
Today, the industry and noise has gone.
This place has become a beautiful and peaceful haven of tranquillity.
Surrounded by the Surrey Hills, pine plantations and endless banks of deciduous trees - Beech, Ash, Oak and Sweet Chestnut it offers sumptuous and splendid reflections in the clear and still spring-water in all seasons.
Edged by the water-irises, sedges and rushes these and other
water-side plants give shelter to Moorhens, Coots and Mallard Ducks.
Only the fall of water from a sluice-gate into the valley below
breaks the serene and lingering silence of this special beauty-spot in the heart of Surrey.
A beautiful place. Enchanting reflections in the Hammer-Pond at Friday Street in the heart of the Surrey Hills.
Commentary.
Early autumn and the leaves begin to change colour and fall.
The lush foliage of this gem, tucked away in the back-slope of Leith Hill always impresses me.
The old hammer-pond is a remnant of a medieval iron industry.
One of the tributaries of the River Tillingbourne was dammed in the 16th. Century.
The fall of water created working forge-hammers that shaped the smelted iron into farm implements, fences, gates, tools, weapons, cannons and cannon balls.
The iron was found in the local rock, Lower Greensand.
The industry faded here, when cheaper, more plentiful supplies of iron was discovered in various parts of Central and Northern England.
However, it can still be seen to this day.
On many local buildings ironstone has been built into the mortar to both strengthen and decorate it.
Today, the industry and noise has gone.
This place has become a beautiful and peaceful haven of tranquillity.
Surrounded by the Surrey Hills, pine plantations and endless banks of deciduous trees - Beech, Ash, Oak and Sweet Chestnut it offers sumptuous and splendid reflections in the clear and still spring-water in all seasons.
Edged by the water-irises, sedges and rushes these and other
water-side plants give shelter to Moorhens, Coots and Mallard Ducks.
Only the fall of water from a sluice-gate into the valley below
breaks the serene and lingering silence of this special beauty-spot in the heart of Surrey.