Merstham
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Merstham is a village in the Reigate and Banstead borough of Surrey, England and is part of the London commuter belt. It is situated just north of Redhill, near the intersection of the M25 and M23 motorways, on the edge of the North Downs and is on the route of the North Downs Way.
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[edit] History
The area has been settled since pre-Roman times, and the village is mentioned in the Domesday Book
The area has long been known for its quarries, and it was as a result of these that the village became a destination of the world's first public railway; the Croydon, Merstham and Godstone Railway was an extension of the horse-drawn Surrey Iron Railway of 1803, of which a small particle exists can be seen near Quality Street.
The village's oldest church, St. Katharine's, dates from approximately 1100, and the current building originates from approximately 1220.
Merstham railway tunnel was the scene of a murder on 24 September 1905. The mutilated body of Mary Money was found in the tunnel and was first thought to be a case of suicide. On inspection however, a scarf was found in the victim's throat, and marks on the tunnel wall showed that she had been thrown from a moving train. The crime was never solved, but suspicion rested with Miss Money's brother, Robert Money.
After World War II, a large housing estate was built to the south-east of Merstham village. This area has its own shops and amenities, and is usually known as Merstham Estate. South Merstham is located south of both mentioned areas and is made up of mainly Victorian and Edwardian terraces, which served Albury Manor. There is much new development in Merstham, especially close to Mercers Park, nearer to the end of South Merstham. The old village itself is sometimes known as Old or Top Merstham.
Rockshaw Road, in Top Merstham, was developed at the very end of the 19th century and between the World Wars was home to many notable people, among them senior Army and Navy figures, financiers and politicians.[2]
[edit] Transport
Buses run to Croydon, Coulsdon, Purley and Redhill town center.
The village is served by Merstham station on the Brighton Main Line, with direct services to Croydon, London Bridge and London Victoria. Whilst Gatwick Airport is a few miles south.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Merstham online - the community website with a wealth of information
- Merstham Village
- Merstham Cricket Club
- Merstham F.C. online
- County Council web site
- The Merstham Tunnel Mystery
- Reigate and Redhill Guide and Directory
