Nostalgic memories of Ashtead's local history

Share your own memories of Ashtead and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

A couple at a laptop

Add a Memory!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin

Tips & Ideas

Not sure what to write? It's easy - just think of a place that brings back a memory for you and write about:

  • How the location features in your personal history?
  • The memories this place inspires for you?
  • Stories about the community, its history and people?
  • People who were particularly kind or influenced your time in the community.
  • Has it changed over the years?
  • How does it feel, seeing these places again, as they used to look?

This week's Places

Here are some of the places people are talking about in our Share Your Memories community this week:

...and hundreds more!

Enjoy browsing more recent contributions now.

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My brothers and I watched the Queen Elizabeth's Coronation with a neighbour; the screen was so small they added a special magnifying glass. Even in black and white I thought it was wonderful. It was a cold day so felt chilly as being a teenager I wanted to show off my summer dress. In the evening I joined local youngsters by the bonfire on Ashtead Common. One lad lived in one side of a pair of nearby old wooden ...see more
I spent my childhood in Ashtead in the 1950s and 60s and I went to Ashtead Primary School in Barnett Wood Lane. One of the teachers was a lovely lady called Miss Portlock and she used to bring her dog to school with her. There was no canteen at the school, so at lunchtime we children were marched about half a mile over the railway bridge to a canteen near Ashtead railway station and close to the top of Links ...see more
My Grandfather Henry Weller ran his rose nursery here and brought up his eight children. As a young boy in the 1940’s I used to go and fish in the lake and play in the brickworks behind the house. The path leading to the house I remember being red from crushed bricks with an archway of roses and roses all around on both sides, it really was a beautiful sight. If I was good I was given some sweets from the shop ...see more
My father's parents (my grandparents) moved from Carshalton to Ashtead in early 1950s to a bungalow at 72 Chaffers Mead. We used to visit regularly from our home in Redhill by rail; a steam train to Deepdene, a run down to Dorking North and an electric train to Ashtead. When we moved to Godalming the journey was even more torturous, with two changes of train, until my father was given a car and we drove. I always ...see more
I am responding to P Mara, I knew a Joe Mara and was a friend of Mick Budd, he was a really pleasant guy, friendly and open. I lived in West Farm and knew Graham, Martin and Roy well. I live in London with my wife and occasionally my children also. I have strong memories of my village childhood, I loved the summers tho' the winters were tough and school a little hit and miss. I'd welcome contact from any of ...see more
My great Grandfather moved here around 1914 and we have pictures of the family at the house, plus a few sketches by my Great great Uncle, however I can find no trace of this property from internet searches. From images that we have, it is very similar in style to the house on the corner of Barnett Wood Lane and Skinners Lane. Does anyone have any information as to the history of either this property or ...see more
I lived in Ashtead from the 1960s to about 1972 when my parents went back to Ireland. I went to St. Peters Primary School Leatherhead for two years,. This is a list of pals I used to hang out with back in the day. My first name is actually Joe but sometimes I use my given name to track any internet mischief etc. Great memories of Ashtead posted here, well done everybody. This be the list: GRAHAM DODGE, JOHN MCKELVIE, ROY JORDAN, MARTIN LIGHTFOOT, CAROLYN DEAR, MICK BUDD to name but a few.
This photograph brings back memories of my very happy childhood in Ashtead between 1944 and 1964 when I went off to join the met Police and live in London. In particular, the shop on the extreme right was Baldwins an old style personal service grocers that my Father Frank Simmons used to manage. He let me work there as a young teenager and I learned the basics of working for a living and being part of a team. He ...see more
I was born in my parents' house in The Mead, off Skinners Lane, in 1935. A year later my father became the proprietor of Ashtead Squash Rackets & Tennis Club. It was built by my grandfather, Edgar Littlewood, who built many large properties in Ashtead from the turn of the century, and who lived at Littlewoods, Ottways Lane, next door to the two public swimming pools he owned. In 1940, my father (a ...see more
I had a job in the park taking dogs for the Atkins - they had kennels in the park - any one know what happed to them?