Horton Railway Historical Walk

Discover how the railway aided the construction of Epsom’s asylums, as they were known in the early twentieth century, and its role in the huge operation of the hospitals’ infrastructure as a largely self-sufficient community.

By 1889 the London County Council needed land to build further asylums for London's mentally ill and acquired the 1,000 acre Horton Estate for £40,000, converting the Manor House to a hospital. In 1903 the LCC commissioned the construction of a new hospital, Long Grove Asylum, to be built on Horton Lane at Ewell as an annexe to Manor Hospital and the nearly completed St Ebba's Epileptic Colony.

After two months of negotiations, the London County Council, Epsom Rural District Council, Epsom Urban District Council and the Ewell Parish Council approved construction of the railway.

Progress with the railway was quick, with the first train-load of bricks and cement reaching the site on 20th April 1905. Hauled by a Manning Wardle 0ˆ’6ˆ’0 saddle tank named 'Hollymoor', she would await a summons by telephone from the L.S.W.R. at Ewell West after the arrival of a special goods train carrying materials. The arrival of a newly built Barclay 0ˆ’4ˆ’0 saddle tank 'Crossness' necessitated protection of the single line and a staff system was introduced.

Epsom & Ewell’s Countryside Manager, Stewart Cocker, will uncover the story of Horton Light Railway and reveal where to spot signs of these lost lines in the current local landscape.

Timings & Tours

Monday 15 September:

1300-1600

Location & directions

Horton Country Park, Horton Lane, Epsom, Surrey, KT19 8PL

Contact on day:

Susan Dalloe

Telephone number:

+442083941734

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Event is free but pre-booking required due to number restrictions

Booking contact name:

Bourne Hall

Booking telephone number:

+442083939571

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking website:

https://www.bournehall.org/

Additional information

Walk organised by Bourne Hall Museum

Max no of people per tour:

30

Est. tour duration:

3 hour(s)

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