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Many of the landscapes that we love to walk and visit now were once very different places, and they hide secrets of a tragic past.
Through the work of local trusts, councils and committees the memorials that they built can paint a picture of a time gone by, and allow us to offer rememberance and show respect to those who have tragically lost their lives all these years later and for years to come.
The walk to The Chattri is a nice simple one, straight up a long hill and back down again checking out the views over the rollinig hills and over Brighton.
The memorial itself is quite spectacular and the following details are taken form the on-site info boards. It was built in honour of the Indian soldiers who fought alongside British forces in World War One and lost their lives. The bodies of muslim soldiers were taken to a purpose built burial ground near to the Shah Jehan mosque in Woking, and the bodies of Sikh and Hindu soldiers were carried out to be cremated at the location where the memorial now stands, before their ashes were scattered at sea in accordance with their religious rites.
The word 'Chattri' is Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi for 'Umbrella'. Which is relected in the design and also symolises the protection offered to the memory of the dead.
An area of military significance in defending London, there are several monuments here.
The fort was built in the late 1800's as part of a defensive scheme for the capital as Britain had concerns of beign invaded by the French who were increasing their naval fleet causing fear within the British goverenment
Another poignant memorial is the 'Wing Tips' that sits in a clearing on the hill. The info board explains that in March 1945, a B17 carrying 9 crew crashed at this location killing all on board, and the wing tips are placed the exact distance of those of the plane.
The walk takes you through ancient woodland, over Surrey hills with fantastic views and through fruit tree fields and several memorial features.
It is a First World War Centenary Woods and there is lots of fascinating history which you can find more about here: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/langley-vale-wood/
The memorials include the Regiment of Trees, depicting 12 figures amongst the trees representing some of the 20,000 civilian volunteers called upon to stand in Kitchener's new army.
Witness, is constructed of 35 pieces of oak standing over 6m tall, inspired by war artist Paul Nash, and inscribed with words from seven poets of the time.
Jutland Wood is a series of 14 oak porthole markers which each represent a British warship that was sunk in war, detailing the vast numbers of tragic deaths on board each.
And there's lots more! Give yourself a bit more time if visiting here, you'll need it to take in all the fascinating and poignant details.
This walk is a loop, and the long flat area which is now mainly fleds within that loop is formerly an airfield of RAF Coolham. 15 airmen serving at the base lost their lives durign the 1944 D-Day campaign, and along one side if the track there are 15 Oak trees planted in their memory.
You can start the walk at The Selsey Arms pub a short distance away, which also has tributes to this significant local area.
A lovely woodland walk here with views at the summit, on the Octavia Hill Trail route.
Octavia Hill was a founding member of the National Trust who died is 1912, and was an early pioneer in the development of social housing. At the summit there is a large stone seat memorial to her. Typically though when I visited people were sat on it and Ididn't want to take their picture, but it is there!
