This name is from Ebba’s ham. Ebba was a Saxon landowner with several settlements across the North Downs such as Effingham and Bookham. A 7th century brooch was found in Epsom and now has a place in the British Museum.
Epsom was once a spa town but little of that remains. Epsom Salts carries the name of the town and was originally made by boiling the mineral waters from Epsom.
Epsom is very lucky to have so many parks and open spaces, with the Downs and parks including Nosuch Park, which is renowned for its many species of wild bird and remains of a palace. The Palace was built by HenryVIII in 1538 and was more or less completed in 1541 but several years on the decorations to the outside walls were still being created. It was demolished in 1682 and the site excavated in 1959. Only a fraction can be seen nowadays.
Another famous landmark is Hortons Park, 400 acres of Nature Reserve, Golf Course, Equestrian Centre and Farm. The farm is a lovely day out for both children and adults alike. There are numerous animals, often with their young, and most of the enclosures allow the animals to get close so they can be petted. Smaller animals have low walls and children are able to climb in and stroke and hold them. There is also an indoor play area and a café on site.
Epsom was named in 2005 as the UK’s most sought after place to live. It is easily accessible by train and has frequent services to Waterloo, Victoria and London Bridge. Trains also run to Leatherhead, Dorking, Guildford, Croydon and Wimbledon. The A24 runs through the centre of town and nearby is junction 9 of the M25 motorway. It once had two railway stations, Epsom Station which is still in use and Epsom Town station which was closed in 1929. A further two lines shave been laid to serve the Epsom Downs Racecourse, they are Epsom Downs Station and Tattenham Corner Station.
The Racecourse dates back to 1780 when the first Ladies Day took place. This year, 2007, Ladies Day is lst June and Derby will be run on the 2nd June. Both these days are really enjoyable with great atmosphere and a fair is usually held on the Downs during the weekend.
The Racecourse is a great place for private or corporate functions and has suites that hold from ten to four hundred guests. It now is licensed for Civil Ceremonies with its beautiful views it is a lovely venue for a wedding ceremony and reception. There is an l8 hole golf course opposite and several hotels in the area.
There are plenty of properties to be let around Epsom and the average prices of these are, a studio flat £600pm, l bed flat £750pm, 2 bed flat £1000pm a 2 bed house £970 and a 3 bed house £1215pm.
Epsom has a large shopping centre with a huge variety of smaller shops plus all the well known stores like, Monsoon, H & M, Dorothy Perkins, Next, Dickens and Jones and Marks and Spencers all being in the Ashley Mall, Kings Shade Walk and with Woolworths and Wilkinsons in the High Street.
In Derby Square a number of bars were built during the 1990’s including Yates, Weatherspoons, and Chicago Rock Café, recently the Lime restaurant and bar and Boogie Lounge Nightclub have also opened.
Well known for its Christmas Pantomimes Epsom Theatre also put on several productions a year and have opened a Bar and Bistro serving pre and post performance meals. Altogether a very enjoyable evening out can be spent here.
There is a Odeon cinema in town and the Rainbow Leisure Centre.
Epsom has several sports facilities and has golf, football and hockey, and athletic clubs. A polo club is nearby holding matches and training sessions.
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