Epsom Heritage Open Day



Every year, normally in September, a number of the historic buildings of Epsom are opened to the public over a weekend. For a list of buildings open in the year 2002, please see below. Many of these buildings and some others were open in September 2001 and 2000. For information about future Heritage Open Days in Epsom and Ewell, and also in many other areas of the country, please see the relevant pages on the Heritage Open Days website

This year, the Heritage Open Days in Epsom and Ewell are on 13 and 14 September 2003 /b>. Details below.


Every year, the Civic Trust - a registered charity, dedicated to improving urban life - helps co-ordinate Heritage Open Days. For one weekend in the year, people can visit the historic buildings of their neighbourhood, free of charge. A short history will be available at each building and volunteers will be on hand to point out features of interest. These are the buildings that will be open:-

LIST OF PROPERTIES



Epsom



Assembly Rooms Epsom High Street
These are the earliest assembly rooms in the country, built to impress visitors in 1692. With their coffee house and tavern, they formed the heart of Epsom's fashionable Spa.
Town Centre, on High Street/ South Street corner Sat Sun 1000-1700

The Cedars Epsom Church Street
A Surrey farmhouse, transformed in the 1720s when Epsom became the haunt of the wealthy. The ornamental plasterwork, featuring the coat of arms of Sir John Mysters, is particularly fine.
On Church Street/Worple Road corner, between ambulance and police stations Sat 1400-1700

Ice House St. Margaret Drive
See how they kept food cool without refrigeration in this early icehouse, dating from about 1700. Lost from view for many years, it has recently been excavated and restored by the Nonsuch Antiquarian Society.
Off Dorking Road (A24) on opposite side from Epsom Hospital, by the Haywain pub, and walk uphill over the grass. Sun 1000-1300

Old Moat Barn Horton Lane
Traces of the lost manor of Horton survive in this secret corner of Surrey and one of them is this Tudor barn, built from local oaks and pegged with tiles made nearby.
Follow Horton Lane (joins B280 & B284) and look for signpost to Old Moat Garden Centre, opposite Horton Country Park on the Manor Park side. Sat 100-1400 St. Martin's Church Epsom Church Street
Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn worshipped here; the 15th century tower survives while the nave dates from 1824. The chancel was rebuilt 1902 in hopes (foiled!) that we would become Surrey's cathedral.
Church Street opposite Old Kings Head pub Sun 1400-1700

West Park Farmhouse Horton Lane
One of five farms in the manor of Horton, this is 17th century with an 18th century façade. It was saved by the LCC when they took over the area for mental hospitals.
Follow Horton Lane (joins B280 & B284) and turn into Horton Country Park; the house is near the Rangers' office. Sun 1000-1300

Ewell

Fitznells House Chessington Road
In a quiet setting by the village millstream, this was built by Sir John Iwardeby in 1540 with solar (now attractively restored); afterwards given a three-gabled front, and later made into a farmhouse.
Turn off Chessington Road (B2200) opposite Bourne Hall Health Centre Sat 1400-1700

Glyn House Ewell Church Street
Built by the rector Sir George Glyn on his marriage in 1838, with a design which hints at Scottish baronial. From here the Glyn family dominated life in Victorian Ewell.
Church Street, opposite Glyn Lane Sun 1000-1300

Nonsuch Mansion House Cheam Road
See what life was like below stairs in this mansion designed by Jeffrey Wyatt in 1802. Rooms open include the kitchen, sculleries, pastry and game larders, and the wet and dry laundries. Exhibition of rare stained glass from over 400 years.
Turn off Cheam Road/Ewell Road (A232) at Cheam Gate on corner, park and walk 200 yds Sun 1400 - 1700

Nonsuch Palace Walk London Road
This gem of a Tudor palace was demolished by a royal mistress in 1680 - but a site tour with our guide will bring back the lost splendours of its architecture and the luxury of its gardens.
Turn off London Road (A24) at Red Gate (opposite Briarwood Road) and park; or cross park from Nonsuch Mansion House Sun 1500

Old Church Tower Ewell Church Street
Lovingly restored, this 15th century tower of flint and Reigate stone survives from the medieval parish church. It is set in a peaceful ancient graveyard, with many curious monuments.
Corner of Church Street, opposite Ewell Castle Sat 1400-1700

Rectory Barn Ewell Church Street
Holman Hunt and the other pre-Raphaelite artists were frequent guests at Rectory Farm; this weather-boarded 18th century barn survives from the buildings they knew.
Church Street, opposite churchyard Sat 1400-1700

St. Mary's Church, Ewell London Road
Built by Henry Clutton in 1848 and retaining the mediaeval screen and brasses from its predecessor, with many wall monuments. An elaborate pulpit and reredos witness the generosity of Victorian parishioners.
London Road (A24) on Church Street corner; or walk from Old Church Tower in Church Street Sat 1330-1700

St. Michael's Church Ewell Church Street
See how barley was prepared for the brewing industry in this 18th century village malthouse. In its later life it was a concert room for ancient music, and it is now a spiritual centre.
Church Street, near Watch House Sat 1000-1300

Watch House Ewell Church Street
Find out exactly what village justice meant in the 18th century. This primitive lock-up has one section for the local ne'er-do-wells and another for the village fire engine
Church Street, just off High Street corner Sun 1000-1300

Worcester Park

St. Mary's Church, Cuddington The Avenue, Worcester Park
Designed in 1894 by local architect Alick Thomas, and built after a 350-year gap to succeed a lost church two miles away on the Nonsuch Palace site. There is some fine Victorian and later stained glass. Displays about the history of the church and parish.
Off Malden Road (A2043) via The Avenue or off Kingston Road (A240) via Worcester Park, Cromwell and Grafton Roads; at junction with Royal Avenue and St. Mary's Road Sat 1200-1700




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first posted 2000     last updated 10 June 2003