This is part of a formerly much larger site, the significant portion of which was transferred to Surrey through local authority boundary adjustments. Old maps show a far larger woodland on the site, which has been progressively pared-down over the centuries to the meagre area it occupies today. The final blow came with the construction of the A3 Esher by-pass, reducing the wood by roughly half. The name is believed to originate from the word Graplingeham, thought to be the name of an early owner.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
The Grapsome
Borough: Kingston upon Thames
Grade: Borough Grade II
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 0.33 ha
Description
Wildlife
The site consists of a small copse and an adjoining hedgerow, both of which are likely to be of ancient origin. The sheer diversity of trees, shrubs and plants at the bottom of the hedgerow still growing here is a strong indicator of its ancient origins.Facilities
Horse riding; waymarked walking route.
Dog-rose in flower © Mike Waite
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