Epsom
Epsom maps (2 available)
Map of Surrey
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
Personalised maps
Create an historic map centred directly on any postcode!
Epsom books (24 available)
- 13 photos on Epsom appear in 4 Frith books - View photos of Epsom
- Read extracts and see photos from these books on Epsom and Surrey
Epsom memories
Read and share memories of Epsom and Surrey inspired by Frith photos
The Nell Gwynne
In our early teens we used to go to the Nell Gwynne, upstairs in the 'coffee bar' where we had what I believe was the worlds first Nickelodeon (manual version). We paid the lady 3d, I think it was, and she put our favourite record on the record player on the counter and we listened while we chatted.
Anybody out there remember the Lecture Hall School in Upper High Street (circa 1943/44)? Headmistress was a Miss Gray. I fell in love with Ann Bridson (I was 7).
Waterloo Rd had a DIY shop in those days, going under the name of 'Useful Bros'.
I went to the Infants School down the bottom end of White Horse Drive, where we filed ...read more here
Contributed by Brian Robinson
The Nell Gwenn
The white building in the forground is the Nell Gwenn public house, a well-known hostelry.
Contributed by heather Lee
Going to School
The path shown in the picture was my route to the infants school which was then in Church House, down the steps to the right of the tower. Miss Cordell was headmistress, ably supported by Miss Hyde, Mrs Wooding and Mrs Price, whose sons Dominic and Christopher also attended the school.
Contributed by Tim Cole
Rosebery Park
I was born in Epsom in 1936. Apparently, when still in my push-chair, I trundled down the bank shown in the picture and ended up in the water!! Later when 10 or 12 we used to sail our model yachts on the pond and in our teens spent a lot of evenings in the park chatting up the girls! Happy, happy days. I must admit there was a tear or two in my eyes when I saw all those lovely trees felled by the great storm.
Contributed by Brian Robinson
Lifespan
I was born in a house that is not yet built in this photo, the house would be on the bottom left corner of this print. I still live 200 yards away, level with where the photograph was taken. The area of trees and shrubs on both sides of this view of Dorking Road were developed. However to the rear of the person taking the photograph it is still open common land, as shown in print ref 80804, this view is as was, apart from lamp posts and road signs.
Contributed by alick potter
Woodcote Pond
My brother and I used to play in the woods on Woodcote Green and build dens. We also used to paddle in the pond in wellies, or walk on the ice in winter.
Contributed by Caroline Allison
Waterloo Road
This photo was taken from immediately in front of my Uncle's/Father's (Antiques) shop in Waterloo Road, looking towards the station. Divers, the shop with all the hardware items immediately in the foreground, was next door and I was always being told off as a child for touching/playing with their goods!
Contributed by Chris Wraight
Extracts From Epsom & Surrey books
This view of the western end of the High Street, seen from the forecourt of the Spread Eagle, is dominated by the clock tower built by Butler and Hedge in 1847-48, which commemorates the passing of the Public Health Act in that year. With public lavatories at its base, it replaced an earlier watchtower, and provided a focus for the host of market stalls which occupied the central section of the roadway beyond. On the right is a branch of the London and County Bank, with Dorset’s shop next door exhibiting a gleaming display of light fittings. Just beyond, the Commercial Inn advertises its accommodation for cyclists and, in the infancy of the motor car, its good stabling for horses.
An extract from from"Around Cheam, including Sutton, Ewell, Banstead and Epsom Photographic Memories".
Once the village of Ebbisham, its popularity as a spa resort in the Restoration period, followed by its emergence as a racing centre in the following century, saved Epsom from decline. This view of the unpaved main crossroads at High Street and Waterloo Road gives a clear impression of the original narrowness of the eastern section of the thoroughfare, with the old coaching inn, The Spread Eagle, prominent on the corner of Ashley Road.
An extract from from"Surrey Revisited Photographic Memories".
Once the village of Ebbisham, its immense popularity as a spa resort after the Restoration, followed by its emergence as a racing centre, brought Epsom to national prominence. This view of the unpaved main crossroads at the junction of the High Street and Waterloo Road gives a clear impression of the original narrowness of the eastern section of the thoroughfare, with the old coaching inn, the Spread Eagle, prominent on the corner of Ashley Road.
An extract from from"Around Cheam, including Sutton, Ewell, Banstead and Epsom Photographic Memories".
A nostalgic view of a quiet Epsom High Street, with horse-drawn traffic and pedestrians only - plus a few dogs - and a gas lamp standard. An old watch tower used to stand on the site of the Clock Tower of 1854, close to a large pond, which was infilled when the tower was built.
An extract from from"Surrey Photographic Memories".
Woodcote Park was commandeered by the War Office in 1915, and Humphreys of Knightsbridge were contracted to build not only huts but also a chapel and a splendid recreation room. It stands on the far right of this photograph, which gives a general view of the barracks.
An extract from from"Surrey Photographic Memories".