The correct answer is “Holly”.

The correct answer is “Ivy”.

The correct answer is “Blackberry”.

The correct answer is “Grape”.

The correct answer is “Hawthorn”.

The correct answer is “Dogwood”.

The correct answer is “Elderberry”.

The correct answer is “Black Briony”.

The correct answer is “Yew”.

The correct answer is “Privet”

This fungus, commonly seen on trees at Box Hill, is Ganoderma adspersum (some would call this Ganoderma australe now, as they think it may be the same species).  Popularly known variously as shelf fungus or bracket fungus.

The scientific name is Hericium cirrhatum.  It’s common name is tiered tooth fungus and is a very rare sight in Britain, where it is found mainly in southern England.  It occurs also in some parts of central and southern mainland Europe, but nowhere is it common.

Phallus impudicus, known colloquially as the common stinkhorn, is a widespread fungus recognizable for its foul odor and its phallic shape when mature, the latter feature giving rise to several names in 17th-century England. Impudicus is derived from the Latin for “shameless” or “immodest”!

Hygrocybe coccinea or scarlet waxcap is a fairly frequent find on cropped grassland and in woodland clearings; it also occurs on old lawns and parks.  It is considered an indicator of good, unimproved grassland.  This was found on the Donkey Green.

Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, is noted for its hallucinogenic properties but is also classified as poisonous – so don’t try it!

Lycoperdon perlatum, is popularly known as the common puffball, but also sometimes as warted puffball, gem-studded puffball, or the devil’s snuff-box.  When mature it becomes brown, and a hole in the top opens to release spores in a burst when the body is compressed by touch or falling raindrops.

The forewings of plume moths usually consist of two curved spars with more or less bedraggled bristles trailing behind. The usual resting posture is with the wings extended laterally and narrowly rolled up. Often they resemble a piece of dried grass, and may pass unnoticed by potential predators even when resting in exposed situations in daylight. There is a moth known as a “ghost moth” but not one known as a “feather moth”.

The daisy-like, yellow flower heads of Common Ragwort may be pretty enough to the casual observer, but they belie the poisonous nature of this plant. Renowned as a weed of paddocks and pastures where it can be harmful to livestock, it is not usually such an issue in gardens or countryside. In fact, it is the foodplant of the black and red Cinnabar Moth: sometimes its black- and yellow-barred caterpillars cover the plant, totally stripping the leaves. Common Ragwort flowers from June to November.  The soldier beetle is a very common beetle throughout most of Britain.

In the Elizabethan era the plant was used in ales and Gervase Markham’s Countrie Farm (1616) recommended that one should “Drinke everie morning a small draught of Eyebright wine.^”  Herbalists use eyebright as a poultice with or without  administration of a tea for the redness, swelling, and visual disturbances caused by conjunctivitis. The herb is also used for eyestrain and to relieve inflammation caused by colds, coughs, sinus infections and hay fever.

Yellow-wort is a low-growing annual that flowers between June and October. Like other members of the gentian family, its yellow flowers close during the afternoon. Its waxy, bluish-green leaves help the plant to retain water in the arid conditions in which it usually thrives.

Restharrow is a  plant of the pea family, which has pink flowers and creeping woody stems with spines.  The origin is mid 16th century, from  rest (stop, arrest) + harrow (because the tough stems impeded the progress of a harrow/plough).

There is a butterfly called a “White Admiral”, which was in fact seen on our nature walk, but this is the more commonly seen Red Admiral.

Dark Mullein – verbascum nigrum– grows best in dry grassland and is well suited to sandy or chalk and limestone soils, on sites where there is plenty of sunlight. Plants attract a wide range of insect life such as Bees. Dark Mullein is a tall growing species that produces spikes of soft yellow flowers. These will remain in bloom from June to September.

Box Hill is in fact named after the many Box trees that grow on its slopes.  Sir Benjamin Box (if indeed anyone with that name ever existed) had nothing to do with Box Hill and the popular pastime of sliding down Box Hill whilst true had no influence on the name.

National Trust owns Box Hill, having been given it by a local businessman and philanthropist Leopold Salomons.

Box Hill was given to National Trust in 1914; at that time NT was a relatively new, very small organisation and Box Hill was managed on their behalf by a local management committee.

George Meredith was a famous writer in his time, although relatively unknown now, and lived in Flint Cottage.  Amongst other writings, he wrote a poem called The Lark Ascending which inspired Ralph Vaughan Williams to compose the music of the same name.  JM Barrie, author of Peter Pan, was a great fan of Meredith and used to sit on the grassy bank opposite Flint Cottage to catch a glimpse of his hero – hence the name Barries Bank.

The 2012 Olympic Cycling Road event completed nine circuits of Box Hill (for the men) or two circuits (for the women) before returning to London.

Box Hill has the European designation SAC – Special Area of Conservation, as well as being a SSSI – Site of Special Scientific Interest, and falls within the Surrey Hills AONB – Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Stepping Stones were indeed taken up at the start of WW2 to deter invading forces; they were replaced and re-dedicated by Prime Minister Clement Attlee in 1946.

The Belted Galloway is an extremely hardy breed which is adaptable to a wide range of habitats and environmental conditions.  It has proven value for both conservation and commercial use. A gentle, placid nature and attractive appearance makes the Belted Galloway a very useful animal for grazing sites with public access such as Box Hill.

The Adonis Blue was used as the emblem of Box Hill.  It is a very bright – almost irridescent – blue butterfly found on the chalk grassland of Box Hill and elsewhere.  The Small Blue is also rare and found on Box Hill but is not actually blue in colour.  Little Blue is a song by the Beautiful South.

The first orchid is the Birds Nest orchid, found in the woods under Beech trees; the second one is the Bee orchid found on the chalk grassland;the third, with the distinctive “arms and legs”, is the Man Orchid also found on the chalk grassland.