BANSTED, (Surrey) bet. Darking and Croydon, not far from Carshalton and Epsom-Wells, is a village noted for abundance of walnut-trees, but more for its neighbouring Downs, one of the most delightful spots in England; 1st, by reason of its fine carpet-ground, covered with a short herbage, perfumed with thyme and juniper, which makes the mutton of this tract, though small, very sweet; 2dly, for the pretty seats around it; and 3dly, for its pleasant prospect of several Cos. on both sides of the Thames, including a view of the royal palaces of Windsor and Hampton-Court, and also of London, from the tower to Westminster, it being a tract of no less than 30 m. extending from Croydon to Farnham, though under different appellations. The soil, being for most part a sort of chalk mixed with flints and sand, is dry soon after rain. There is a four miles course on them, which, in the season of horse-races, is much frequented, as all the Downs are, throughout the whose summer, for their wholsome air. The manor of this village anciently bel. to Gilbert, E. of Clare, who gave it with his daughter to Roger de Mowbray, who, with her consent, gave the whose tythe to the priory of St. Mary Overy's, in Southwark. The manor was, in the R. of K. John, or Hen. III. alienated to Hubert de Burgh, E. of Kent; and, to this day, the people here shew the remains of his cellars in a pit, in a field at the E. end of the Churchyard.