Banstead
Encyclopedia
Banstead is a town
in the borough of Reigate and Banstead
in the county of Surrey
, England
, on the border with Greater London
. It lies 13 miles (21 km) south of London
, 5 miles (8 km) west of Croydon
and 8.5 miles (14 km) of the county town
of Kingston-Upon-Thames. Banstead is on the North Downs
and is protected by the Metropolitan Green Belt
; Banstead Downs
is a Site of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSI). Although Banstead is a town, it is frequently referred to and known as "Banstead Village". Nearby towns include Epsom
and Worcester Park
to the west, Reigate
to the south and Leatherhead
to the west.
At the 2001 Census
the population of Banstead Village ward was 8,510, although the area covered by the former Banstead Urban District had 46,280 people.
Banstead appears as a destination in the 1895 novel The Time Machine
by H. G. Wells
and also gains a brief mention in another of his novels War of the Worlds.
as Benestede. It was held by Richard from the Bishop of Bayeux. Its Domesday Assets were: 9½ hide
s, 1 church, 1 mill
worth £1, 17 plough
s, woodland
worth 20 hogs. It rendered (in total): £8.
, which stretches from the war memorial
at one end to the library
at the other. Every year, scouts
and guides
parade down the high street in recognition of Remembrance Day
and St George's Day
. The town shops are frequently associated with the middle class—for example Marks & Spencer Simply Food, Boots the Chemist
, and Waitrose
. There are also a variety of restaurants along the high street like Zizzi
and Pizza Express
. On 12 December 2008, a large fire totally destroyed the Waitrose supermarket, a local landmark. While the original store was being totally rebuilt Waitrose opened a temporary store, around 200m down the High Street, in a building vacated by the defunct Woolworths
retail chain. The rebuilt store re-opened on 26 November 2009.
Other than the limited amount of employment in the retail
sector based around the high street, a small number of jobs are found in the public sector; in the local authority offices and NHS
facilities to the west of the Banstead's centre, and in various schools across the area. However, the majority of Banstead's residents commute out of the district for employment.
Church are both located on the high street. Within the area there is also Banstead Community Church, St Ann's Roman Catholic Church, the Methodist Church, St Paul's Church and the United Reformed Church
.
, Epsom
or Reigate
.
and pre-preparatory.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in the borough of Reigate and Banstead
Reigate and Banstead
Reigate and Banstead is a local government district with borough status in east Surrey England. It covers the towns of Reigate, Banstead, Redhill and Horley....
in the county of Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, on the border with Greater London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
. It lies 13 miles (21 km) south of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, 5 miles (8 km) west of Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
and 8.5 miles (14 km) of the county town
County town
A county town is a county's administrative centre in the United Kingdom or Ireland. County towns are usually the location of administrative or judicial functions, or established over time as the de facto main town of a county. The concept of a county town eventually became detached from its...
of Kingston-Upon-Thames. Banstead is on the North Downs
North Downs
The North Downs are a ridge of chalk hills in south east England that stretch from Farnham in Surrey to the White Cliffs of Dover in Kent. The North Downs lie within two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty , the Surrey Hills and the Kent Downs...
and is protected by the Metropolitan Green Belt
Metropolitan Green Belt
The Metropolitan Green Belt is a statutory green belt around London, England. It includes designated parts of Greater London and the surrounding counties of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey in the South East and East of England regions.-History:The...
; Banstead Downs
Banstead Downs
Banstead Downs is a Site of Special Scientific Interest in Surrey, England . It covers . To the west is the A217 and to east is the B2218. The town to the north is Sutton; whilst Banstead lies to the south...
is a Site of Special Scientific Interest
Site of Special Scientific Interest
A Site of Special Scientific Interest is a conservation designation denoting a protected area in the United Kingdom. SSSIs are the basic building block of site-based nature conservation legislation and most other legal nature/geological conservation designations in Great Britain are based upon...
(SSSI). Although Banstead is a town, it is frequently referred to and known as "Banstead Village". Nearby towns include Epsom
Epsom
Epsom is a town in the borough of Epsom and Ewell in Surrey, England. Small parts of Epsom are in the Borough of Reigate and Banstead. The town is located south-south-west of Charing Cross, within the Greater London Urban Area. The town lies on the chalk downland of Epsom Downs.-History:Epsom lies...
and Worcester Park
Worcester Park
Worcester Park is a suburb of London, England covering both the extreme north west of the London Borough of Sutton in Greater London , part of the Borough of Epsom and Ewell in Surrey and The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. The area is south west of Charing Cross...
to the west, Reigate
Reigate
Reigate is a historic market town in Surrey, England, at the foot of the North Downs, and in the London commuter belt. It is one of the main constituents of the Borough of Reigate and Banstead...
to the south and Leatherhead
Leatherhead
Leatherhead is a town in the County of Surrey, England, on the River Mole, part of Mole Valley district. It is thought to be of Saxon origin...
to the west.
At the 2001 Census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
the population of Banstead Village ward was 8,510, although the area covered by the former Banstead Urban District had 46,280 people.
Banstead appears as a destination in the 1895 novel The Time Machine
The Time Machine
The Time Machine is a science fiction novella by H. G. Wells, published in 1895 for the first time and later adapted into at least two feature films of the same name, as well as two television versions, and a large number of comic book adaptations. It indirectly inspired many more works of fiction...
by H. G. Wells
H. G. Wells
Herbert George Wells was an English author, now best known for his work in the science fiction genre. He was also a prolific writer in many other genres, including contemporary novels, history, politics and social commentary, even writing text books and rules for war games...
and also gains a brief mention in another of his novels War of the Worlds.
History
The settlement appears in the Domesday BookDomesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
as Benestede. It was held by Richard from the Bishop of Bayeux. Its Domesday Assets were: 9½ hide
Hide (unit)
The hide was originally an amount of land sufficient to support a household, but later in Anglo-Saxon England became a unit used in assessing land for liability to "geld", or land tax. The geld would be collected at a stated rate per hide...
s, 1 church, 1 mill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
worth £1, 17 plough
Plough
The plough or plow is a tool used in farming for initial cultivation of soil in preparation for sowing seed or planting. It has been a basic instrument for most of recorded history, and represents one of the major advances in agriculture...
s, woodland
Woodland
Ecologically, a woodland is a low-density forest forming open habitats with plenty of sunlight and limited shade. Woodlands may support an understory of shrubs and herbaceous plants including grasses. Woodland may form a transition to shrubland under drier conditions or during early stages of...
worth 20 hogs. It rendered (in total): £8.
Economy
The centre of Banstead has a typical high streetHigh Street
High Street, or the High Street, is a metonym for the generic name of the primary business street of towns or cities, especially in the United Kingdom. It is usually a focal point for shops and retailers in city centres, and is most often used in reference to retailing...
, which stretches from the war memorial
War memorial
A war memorial is a building, monument, statue or other edifice to celebrate a war or victory, or to commemorate those who died or were injured in war.-Historic usage:...
at one end to the library
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
at the other. Every year, scouts
The Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
and guides
Girlguiding UK
Girlguiding UK is the national Guiding organisation of the United Kingdom. Guiding began in the UK in 1910 after Robert Baden-Powell asked his sister Agnes to start a group especially for girls that would be run along similar lines to Scouting for Boys. The Guide Association was a founder member of...
parade down the high street in recognition of Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth...
and St George's Day
St George's Day
St George's Day is celebrated by the several nations, kingdoms, countries, and cities of which Saint George is the patron saint. St George's Day is celebrated on 23 April, the traditionally accepted date of Saint George's death in AD 303...
. The town shops are frequently associated with the middle class—for example Marks & Spencer Simply Food, Boots the Chemist
Alliance Boots
Alliance Boots GmbH is a leading international, pharmacy-led health and beauty group. It has two core business activities - pharmacy-led health and beauty retailing, and pharmaceutical wholesaling and distribution - and has a presence in more than 25 countries...
, and Waitrose
Waitrose
Waitrose Limited is an upmarket chain of supermarkets in the United Kingdom and is the food division of the British retailer and worker co-operative the John Lewis Partnership. Its head office is in Bracknell, Berkshire, England...
. There are also a variety of restaurants along the high street like Zizzi
Zizzi
Zizzi is a chain of Italian restaurants found across the United Kingdom which is owned by Gondola Group, who also own Ask and PizzaExpress restaurants. There are currently 87 Zizzi restaurants in the UK. Many include a masonry oven, visible over the counter to the customers, where pizzas are...
and Pizza Express
Pizza Express
PizzaExpress is a restaurant group with over 400 restaurants across the United Kingdom and 40 overseas in China, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan and the Middle East. It was founded in 1965 by Peter Boizot.In Ireland, PizzaExpress trades under the name Milano....
. On 12 December 2008, a large fire totally destroyed the Waitrose supermarket, a local landmark. While the original store was being totally rebuilt Waitrose opened a temporary store, around 200m down the High Street, in a building vacated by the defunct Woolworths
Woolworths Group
Woolworths Group plc was a listed British company that owned the high-street retail chain, Woolworths, as well as other brands such as the entertainment distributor Entertainment UK and book and resource distributor Bertram Books...
retail chain. The rebuilt store re-opened on 26 November 2009.
Other than the limited amount of employment in the retail
Retail
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
sector based around the high street, a small number of jobs are found in the public sector; in the local authority offices and NHS
National Health Service (England)
The National Health Service or NHS is the publicly funded healthcare system in England. It is both the largest and oldest single-payer healthcare system in the world. It is able to function in the way that it does because it is primarily funded through the general taxation system, similar to how...
facilities to the west of the Banstead's centre, and in various schools across the area. However, the majority of Banstead's residents commute out of the district for employment.
Religion
Banstead has several churches. The All Saints Church and Banstead BaptistBaptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
Church are both located on the high street. Within the area there is also Banstead Community Church, St Ann's Roman Catholic Church, the Methodist Church, St Paul's Church and the United Reformed Church
United Reformed Church
The United Reformed Church is a Christian church in the United Kingdom. It has approximately 68,000 members in 1,500 congregations with some 700 ministers.-Origins and history:...
.
Education
There are several schools in and around Banstead. Further education is not available in the town, most students go to institutions in SuttonSutton, London
Sutton is a large suburban town in southwest London, England, and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Sutton. It is located south-southwest of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. The town was connected to central London by...
, Epsom
Epsom
Epsom is a town in the borough of Epsom and Ewell in Surrey, England. Small parts of Epsom are in the Borough of Reigate and Banstead. The town is located south-south-west of Charing Cross, within the Greater London Urban Area. The town lies on the chalk downland of Epsom Downs.-History:Epsom lies...
or Reigate
Reigate
Reigate is a historic market town in Surrey, England, at the foot of the North Downs, and in the London commuter belt. It is one of the main constituents of the Borough of Reigate and Banstead...
.
Secondary
- The Beacon School, previously Nork Park Secondary School, is the predominant secondarySecondary schoolSecondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
comprehensive schoolComprehensive schoolA comprehensive school is a state school that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude. This is in contrast to the selective school system, where admission is restricted on the basis of a selection criteria. The term is commonly used in relation to the United...
in the area. Nork Park, a public park, borders the rear perimeter of the school. It is one of only two schools in the United Kingdom that supply ball boys to the Wimbledon Tennis ChampionshipsThe Championships, WimbledonThe Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors...
. It has over 1000 students.
Independent
All of the following schools are preparatoryPreparatory school (UK)
In English language usage in the former British Empire, the present-day Commonwealth, a preparatory school is an independent school preparing children up to the age of eleven or thirteen for entry into fee-paying, secondary independent schools, some of which are known as public schools...
and pre-preparatory.
- Aberdour SchoolAberdour SchoolAberdour School, founded in 1933, is a co-educational preparatory school for ages 3–13 in Banstead, Surrey, England.-History:Aberdour was founded in 1933 as a boys boarding school...
- between Banstead and Burgh HeathBurgh HeathBurgh Heath is a residential area of the borough of Reigate and Banstead in Surrey, England. It is located on the A217 road, between Banstead and Tadworth. A neighbouring village is Nork...
. - Greenacre School
- Priory Preparatory School
Transport
- The majority of the town is bypassed by the A217 dual carriagewayDual carriagewayA dual carriageway is a class of highway with two carriageways for traffic travelling in opposite directions separated by a central reservation...
to the west. The A2022A roads in Zone 2 of the Great Britain numbering schemeList of A roads in zone 2 in Great Britain starting south of the River Thames and east of the A3 .-Single- and double-digit roads:-Triple-digit roads:-Four digit roads:...
passes through the residential area just to the north of the town centre, however the town centre frequently suffers from traffic congestionTraffic congestionTraffic congestion is a condition on road networks that occurs as use increases, and is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queueing. The most common example is the physical use of roads by vehicles. When traffic demand is great enough that the interaction...
. - There are several bus services through the town, linking to EpsomEpsomEpsom is a town in the borough of Epsom and Ewell in Surrey, England. Small parts of Epsom are in the Borough of Reigate and Banstead. The town is located south-south-west of Charing Cross, within the Greater London Urban Area. The town lies on the chalk downland of Epsom Downs.-History:Epsom lies...
, Sutton and CroydonCroydonCroydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
, which all have good onward bus and rail connections. - Banstead railway stationBanstead railway stationBanstead railway station serves the one-time village, now extensive London suburb, of Banstead in the Borough of Reigate and Banstead in Surrey...
is located to the west of the town's centre, across the A217. It is closer to NorkNork, SurreyNork is a residential area of the borough of Reigate and Banstead in Surrey, England. It is located between Banstead and Epsom Downs. The main road through the area from north to south-west is Nork Way, along which a parade of shops is located at the northern end.The buildings in the area are...
than to Banstead itself, therefore if travelling by public transport it is often quicker and easier to get a train to Sutton railway station then a bus from the station concourse directly into Banstead town centre, as Banstead railway station is a single track, unmanned station, which only sees 2 trains per hour during the rush hour, 1 per hour at other times and no Sunday service. There is now a ticket machine as of 2011. - Banstead is served by the S1 bus (Banstead to Mitcham via Sutton), the 420 bus (Redhill to Sutton), and the 166 Bus (Epsom to Croydon).
Landmarks
- The old village well stands to the east of the town centre in Woodmansterne Lane. It is almost 300 feet deep and was last used around the end of the 19th Century. The wellhead cover dates from the 18th Century and still contains the winding gear.
- The parish church of All Saints was built around the end of the 12th Century on a site donated by Nigel de Mowbray, Lord of the ManorLord of the ManorThe Lordship of a Manor is recognised today in England and Wales as a form of property and one of three elements of a manor that may exist separately or be combined and may be held in moieties...
. The West window was designed by Dante Gabriel RossettiDante Gabriel RossettiDante Gabriel Rossetti was an English poet, illustrator, painter and translator. He founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in 1848 with William Holman Hunt and John Everett Millais, and was later to be the main inspiration for a second generation of artists and writers influenced by the movement,...
and produced by William MorrisWilliam MorrisWilliam Morris 24 March 18343 October 1896 was an English textile designer, artist, writer, and socialist associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the English Arts and Crafts Movement...
.
- Nork Park contains the remains of the Colman familyColman'sColman's is a UK manufacturer of mustard and various other sauces, based at Carrow, in Norwich, Norfolk. Presently an operational division of the multinational Unilever company, Colman's is one of the oldest existing food brands, famous for a limited range of products, almost all varieties of...
mansion (as in Colman's Mustard). Many apple trees that date from the original orchard survive.
- A large mound of earth close to The Beacon SchoolThe Beacon School, Picquets WayThe Beacon School, Picquets Way, is a mixed comprehensive school located in Banstead, Surrey, United Kingdom. The school is a specialist media arts college and was equipped with state-of-the-art technology when the school gained its media arts status. The school's current headteacher is Lisa Croke...
is known as the Tumble Beacon. This was once part of a series of beacons/bonfires that stretched from the South Coast towards London, which were used to warn London of the arrival of the Spanish ArmadaSpanish ArmadaThis article refers to the Battle of Gravelines, for the modern navy of Spain, see Spanish NavyThe Spanish Armada was the Spanish fleet that sailed against England under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia in 1588, with the intention of overthrowing Elizabeth I of England to stop English...
. The area is one of the highest points on the southern Thames basin rim, and as such commands far-reaching views across London. This is also where the Beacon School gets its name.
- On the site of DownviewDownview (HM Prison)HM Prison Downview is a women's closed category prison. Downview is located on the outskirts of Banstead in Surrey, England , and is immediately adjacent to the southern boundary of Belmont in Greater London...
and Highdown Prisons once stood the Banstead Asylum, a psychiatric hospital from 1873 to 1986. After being forcefully committed to the Asylum in the late 1960s by his manager, Vincent CraneVincent CraneVincent Crane was a self-taught pianist, who studied theory and composition at Trinity College of Music, and graduated in 1964...
of the band Atomic RoosterAtomic RoosterAtomic Rooster were an English progressive rock band, composed of former members of the The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. Throughout their history, keyboardist Vincent Crane was the only constant member, and wrote the majority of their material. Their history is defined by two periods, in the early...
wrote the song "Banstead," which featured on the 1970 album Atomic Roooster.
Notable residents
- Helen Barnes, (nee Barham) Showgirl and Singer
- Dickson EtuhuDickson EtuhuDickson Paul Etuhu is a Nigerian footballer who plays for Fulham in the Premier League. His younger brother Kelvin is also a footballer...
, footballer - Andrew GarfieldAndrew GarfieldAndrew Russell Garfield is an American-English actor who has appeared in radio, theatre, film, and television. His early roles include the films Lions for Lambs, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, and Boy A, which garnered him the 2007 BAFTA Television Award for "Best Actor".Garfield achieved...
, actor - Chris PowellChris PowellChristopher George Robin "Chris" Powell is an English football manager and retired player, who had a long career as a left back, crowned by five caps for the English national team...
, footballer - Sarah TullamoreSarah TullamoreSarah Tullamore is an English-born actress, singer, dancer and voice-over artist who lives in Paris, France.-Biography:Tullamore was born in Carshalton, a suburb of the London Borough of Sutton, England and grew up in Banstead....
, actor, singer and dancer, grew up in Banstead - David WalliamsDavid WalliamsDavid Edward Walliams is an English comedian, writer and actor, known for his partnership with Matt Lucas on the TV sketch show Little Britain and its predecessor Rock Profile...
, actor and comedian