A Brief History of Leatherhead

A small market town in Surrey, with a very interesting history is Leatherhead, located 4 miles south of Epsom. Though probably seeing human habitation as far back as the Neolithic Era, and certainly known to the Romans (Stane Street passes nearby), the first mention of Leatherhead was in Anglo-Saxon times, appearing in King Alfred’s will and being bequeathed to his son Edward. Later appearing in the Domeday Book as Leret, it was held by Osbert de Ow, and even this far back had a church. Its position on a crossroads and on a ford of the River Mole, led it to becoming a market town and Henry III granted Leatherhead the right to hold a weekly market and an annual fair. The Running Horse pub which still stands in Leatherhead today dates from 1403 and has been mentioned in poems and writings over the centuries. The Swan Hotel was a popular coaching station beside the River Mole, it declined only after the arrival of the railway in the 19th century. Leatherhead’s charming old centre was mostly ruined in the 1970’s and 1980’s as it was developed as a pedestrianised area with little thought for the history of this charming town. Map of Leatherhead.

Towns of Surrey UK

One of the south-east of England’s Home Counties, Surrey has borders with Hampshire, Kent, West Sussex, Berkshire, East Sussex and Greater London, it has just over 1 million inhabitants. Before the Roman invasion of Britain, the area which now forms Surrey was settled by a tribe called the Atrebates, who were allies of Rome, it later became part of the Brittania Prima region. The county town of Surrey is Guildford, a historic town which dates from a Saxon settlement on the River Wey, its name probably comes from the Saxon Gyldeford (“Gold Ford”). Guildford Castle dates from these ancient Saxon times and was renovated in 2003. Modern day Guildford is a busy English market town and has been voted among the top 10 best places to live in England. Not far from Guildford is another large town called Woking, a popular commuter town for those working in central London. Woking was made famous by HG Wells, as the place where the Martians first landed in his book “War of the Worlds”. Woking however has a long history and probably developed around an 8th century monastery, mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, Woking was named as Wochinges at that time. Modern day Woking mostly developed around the railway station built during the mid-nineteenth century. Another of Surrey’s larger towns, Camberley is a more recent development, growing up around Sandhurst’s Military Academy during the 19th century, the area was formerly part of Bagshot Heath, a favourite haunt of highwaymen. The first town was called Cambridge Town, but was later changed to Camberley as the Post Office often got the mail confused with that bound for Cambridge. A smaller Surrey town situated on the River Mole, Leatherhead has a history that goes back much further than that of Camberley, way back in fact, to Anglo-Saxon times, when a settlement was founded in around 880 AD. Named in the Domesday Book as Leret, Leatherhead had a parish church during the 11th century. One of the oldest surviving buildings is the Running Horse pub which was originally built in 1403. South of Leatherhead is the small but charming town of Dorking, well known for its large number of antique shops and dealers. Dorking’s history goes back even further as it originally developed along the Roman road Stane Street, which carried travellers from London to Chichester, it later became a coaching post for those heading to Brighton during the 18th century. To the north of Dorking and Leatherhead is another famous Surrey town – Epsom, renowned for its running of the English Derby horse race since 1780. Epsom is an affluent town which also has a long history and was formerly called Evesham at the time of the Domesday Book in the eleventh century.

Review of Bude Cornwall

A small but very popular seaside resort in the county of Cornwall, United Kingdom, Bude is surrounded by spectacular cliffs and some wonderful scenery. Dangerous waters off the coast of Bude have claimed many victims over the years, with shipwrecks common and smuggling rife. These days it is a renowned beach holiday destination with some of the best beaches in Cornwall to be found in the area, the main beaches that serve the town are Summerleaze and Crooklets beach, further south you will find Widemouth Bay, with miles of fine sandy beaches. With the beaches facing west towards the Atlantic Ocean, seas are high and attract surfers who enjoy the favourable conditions for their sport.

Suffolk Towns – Bury St Edmonds and Nearby

One of East Anglia’s most historic towns, Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk was considered a royal town by the Saxons and would certainly have been known by the Romans long before this. A monastery was built in Bury St Edmunds in around 633 by order of the King of the East Angles (Sigebert) and it was here that King Edmund was buried in 903 AD. The town grew around the abbey which later became the meeting place of the Barons of England as they formulated the Magna Carta. Much later during the 17th century the infamous Bury St Edmunds witch trials were held there. There are still remains of the abbey close to the town centre, though it was mostly destroyed during the 16th century. To the north-west of Bury St Edmunds is the small market town of Mildenhall, which has held a regular market since the 15th century, Mildenhall made big news in the nineteen forties when a large haul of Roman silver was found there, it is probably best known as the home of the air base RAF Mildenhall. To the south of Bury St Edmunds, sitting beside the River Stour, Sudbury is another historic Saxon town, recorded in the Saxon Chronicles of 799 AD. Sudbury later grew prosperous through the wool and silk trade, it was also a well known haunt of famous artists such as John Constable who painted scenes of the area. A village which also benefited from the wool trade is Long Melford (located to the north of Sudbury), the proportions of its Holy Trinity Church attest to this, built with ‘wool’ money, it appears more like a cathedral. Two stately homes in the village of Long Melford, also built with ‘wool’ money, are Melford Hall and Kentwell Hall.

Essex History – Braintree, Clacton and Billericay

Three of the larger towns in Essex, Braintree, Billericay and Clacton on Sea all have interesting histories, in different ways from each other. Braintree, located some 10 miles from Chelmsford, has a population of around 42,000, somewhat more than 4,000 years ago when it was a tiny village, as it still was when the Romans invaded Britain and built two roads, at the junction of which the settlement grew (though later abandoned). Recorded as Branchetreu in the Domesday Book, the present name is thought not to have come from the River Brain, but rather, the other way round. A famous son of Braintree, naturalist John Ray, was actually born in the village of Black Notley, two miles south of the town. Billericay was possibly settled even longer ago than Braintree, with evidence of burial mounds found in Norsey Wood, dating from the Iron and Bronze Ages. The Romans also knew about Billericay and built a fort close to the town at Blunts Well. Due to later settlement being centred around Great Burstead, Billericay doesn’t get a mention in the Domesday Book, though by the 13th and 14th centuries it was attracting pilgrims heading south for Canterbury. Clacton on Sea is a relative ‘baby’ compared to these ancient towns, only founded in 1871 as a seaside resort. Clacton reached its height of popularity during the 1960’s and 1970’s, the town’s famous pier being a major draw. Clacton and Great Clacton were however still settled in ancient times, with Celts being in the area in around 100BC, the original village was also named in the Domesday Book as Clachintuna.

Cowes Isle of Wight Flat

Superb ground floor flat for sale in a quiet part of Cowes on the Isle of Wight, England, United Kingdom. One of a block of four apartments this excellent property has its own entrance, allocated parking space, shares a communal garden and is currently vacant and ready to move into. Perfect for first time buyers this Cowes property would be ideal for someone wishing to get on the property ladder on the Isle of Wight, it offers entrance hallway, one bedroom, one bathroom, lounge, kitchen and gas central heating. Cowes is situated in the north of the Isle of Wight and is a sizeable town and seaport, it has ferry links with Southampton and road links with Newport, Cowes is renowned for its yearly sailing regatta, which attracts thousands of visitors to the town, which means this property could also be a good investment for rental purposes. The employment situation on the island is reasonable and Isle of Wight jobs are generally plentiful, especially during the summer season. The island benefits from a good climate and Isle of Wight weather is generally better than mainland England, making it a popular holiday destination. The current asking price for this fine Cowes flat is a very attractive 100,000 pounds sterling. Isle of Wight Map.

Colchester and Chelmsford Essex

Two of the most ancient towns in the county of Essex, Colchester and Chelmsford are also amongst the oldest in Britain. Colchester, in fact, is claimed to be the oldest Roman Town in the British Isles and was actually the capital of Roman Britain until sacked by the great Boudica in 61AD. The Romans called the town Camulodunum and built a fortress of considerable importance, a later Anglo-Saxon settlement was overrun by Viking forces during the 9th century, and the Vikings remained in control until the area was re-taken by Edward the Elder in 920. Colchester Castle dates from the Norman occupation and was built upon earlier Roman ruins. Chelmsford is the county town of Essex and has a population of over 120,000, Chelmsford was also a significant Roman town, though it has been the site of human settlement since the Neolithic Era. The Romans called the town Caesaromagus and it developed around the fort which was constructed there. Chelmsford later became the seat of the local assize (13th century) and has been recognised as the county town since then. Chelmsford saw some decline in the late 20th century, though the town is now undergoing some rejuvenation.

Aylesbury Bucks Maisonette

Roomy 1st floor, tastefully furnished maisonette currently offered for rent (on a six months contract) in the lovely little town of Aylesbury, in green belt Buckinghamshire, England. Very nice rental property located close to Stoke Mandeville Hospital and comprising 1 large bedroom with built-in pine wardrobes, 1 small child's bedroom, open plan lounge / diner / kitchen, with wood-effect flooring, full bathroom, hallway, fully furnished and equipped, Italian leather suite, breakfast bar, TV, double-glazed, gas central heating. Aylesbury is a bustling town, generally good for employment, with, in normal times a good choice of Aylesbury jobs available for those wishing to settle and work in the town, Aylesbury is also on the main railway line to central London, Marleybone, and has good bus links with High Wycombe, Oxford, Watford and Milton Keynes, so would be ideal for communting. Available to rent from late March 2009 we are inviting enquiries for this Aylesbury maisonette now, at the rate of 500 pounds monthly (One month deposit, one month up-front), all bills to be paid by the tenant (water, electricity, council tax, gas etc). For a location map of Aylesbury you can look here: Aylesbury Map.

Sandown Isle of Wight Cottage

Charming 2 bedroom holiday cottage available for holidays in the Isle of Wight resort of Sandown. Fully equipped cottage sleeps up to 6 people and is set in its own private garden and has private parking. The cottage has gas central heating and has all bed linen provided for your holidays in the resort. Sandown together with its neighbour Shanklin is one of the most popular areas of the Isle of Wight, a superb holiday destination for the UK it benefits from a fine climate with the weather in the Isle of Wight as good as anywhere in England. This Isle of Wight cottage is offered for holidays from just £300 to £600 per week. Isle of Wight Map.

Hertfordshire – The Eastern Towns

The county of Hertfordshire lies to the north of Greater London and many of its towns serve as commuter towns for the great city itself. Among these towns are the county town Hertford, a historic town with a population of around 30,000 inhabitants. The name of the town derives from the Anglo-Saxon for a ford visited by harts (or stags). Remains of Hertford Castle date from 1463, when it was rebuilt by King Edward IV, later the English Parliament moved to the town temporarily when London was hit by the Great Plague. Another nearby town, Ware, has a history going back even further, as settlements in the area date back some 6,000 years. The Romans also established a settlement in Ware and it was situated on the important road Ermine Street. To the south-east of Hertford and Ware, the town of Hoddesdon grew around a coaching station, which was a popular stopping off point for travellers between Cambridge and London, the coaching trade reached its height in the 18th century. South of Hoddesdon lies the town of Cheshunt, mostly famous as the location of the death of Richard Cromwell (Lord Protector of the Commonwealth) in the year 1712. Cheshunt these days is a sizeable town with a population of over 50,000. Hertfordshire Map.

Hayle Penwith

Located in the Penwith district of Cornwall in the United Kingdom, the small town and parish of Hayle was previously a significant cargo port, importing coal for the smelting of tin and exporting the resulting tin and ore. Lying close to the coastal towns of Carbis Bay and St Ives, Hayle today has a population of just over 8,000 and is growing in popularity as a tourist destination, with visitors attracted to the fine scenery and the 3 miles of golden sand which is ideal for family holidays. Hayle is situated beside the A30 road between Penzance and Camborne, it is about 6 miles from Penzance. Hayle Map.

Hotel Burlington Margate Kent

You can be sure that a warm welcome awaits you at friendly family run Burlington Hotel in Margate. Established in 1977 the Burlington Hotel is handily situated close to Margate town centre, near to the beach and within easy walking distance of the railway station. The hotel has 12 rooms available all having a high standard of cleanliness. Freshly cooked home breakfasts await you as you arise to enjoy a day in one of England’s finest seaside resorts, hoping for some fine Margate weather and maybe an hour or two on the beach, you are sure to enjoy your stay in this super little hotel. Located at 8 Buenos Ayres, Margate, Kent, England. Margate Map

Harpenden Hertfordshire – A Short History

A small town in the county of Hertfordshire, Harpenden is within the district of St Albans and has an interesting history. Roman remains discovered in areas around Harpenden suggest of settlements in the centuries BC, however the original village of Harpenden developed as woodland was cleared under Edward the Confessor during the eleventh century, to make room for farming around Wheathamstead Manor, the first church to be built was the St Nicholas church (1217). Somewhat later during the Wars of the Roses, a common close to Harpenden was the site of the Second Battle of St Albans. During the early 19th century, Harpenden was the location of the 1st annually run steeplechase race, and was a popular location for horse racing throughout the century. The face of Harpenden changed forever with the arrival of the railway, as farms were replaced with residential development. During WW2 the town was used for the evacuation of children from bomb torn London. Harpenden today is mostly a commuter town, which enjoys excellent road and rail links with London. Harpenden Map.

Tring and Berkhamsted

Two small towns located in the county of Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom, Tring and Berkhamsted have populations of 11,000 and 16,000 respectively. Both have long and interesting histories and both were mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1089. Berkhamsted in fact was the site of Edgar Aetheling’s surrender to William of Normandy (who thus became William the Conqueror), Berkhamsted’s stone castle was built on the site of a former wooden Saxon fortification in the 1080’s until finally abandoned in the late fifteenth century, in the 14th century Edward the Black Prince spent his honeymoon there. Tring Manor was once owned by the great grandfather of George Washington (U.S president), and later by the Rothschild family who founded the well known Natural History Museum in the town. The four Tring reservoirs were built to supply water to the Grand Union canal, which runs north of the town. Tring Map.

Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire

A bustling town within the UK county of Hertfordshire, Hemel Hempstead was possibly settled as long ago as the Roman times, with remains of a Roman villa being found in nearby Boxmoor. The first records mentioning the town date from the 8th century and its name drived from the Anglo-Saxon Hean-Hempsted (or High Hempstead), in the Domesday Book it was named as Hamelamesede. The Norman conquest saw its land owned by Robert, Count of Mortain, it was later controlled by Thomas Becket, it was later granted a Royal Charter by Henry 8th. The town has mostly grown however since WW2 as it was developed as a ‘new town’, it now has a population of around 81,000. Map of Hemel Hempstead.