Caterham
Encyclopedia
Caterham is a town in the Tandridge District of Surrey
, England. The town is geographically divided into two sections: Caterham on the Hill
and Caterham Valley
- the main town centre. The town lies close to the A22
, a few miles south of Croydon
, in a valley cut into the dip slope
of the North Downs
. Caterham on the Hill is above the western side of the valley.
administrative division of Tandridge
hundred
.
The original settlement was on the ridge above the modern town and is now called Caterham on the Hill
. The modern town in the valley is a product of the Victorian age and the coming of the Caterham railway line in 1856. The Victorian expansion of the town required the building of a much larger parish church (St Mary the Virgin) in 1866 but the old Norman
church of St Lawrence was retained and remains directly across the road from St Mary's. As it grew Caterham Valley gained its own church, St. John the Evangelist, which was consecrated in 1882. It is even larger than St. Mary's.
From 1877 Caterham barracks on the hill was a depot for the foot guards regiments. In August 1975 a local public house (the Caterham Arms) which was frequented by soldiers was targeted by an IRA
bomb.
The barracks were closed in the 1990s and the site redeveloped for housing.
Caterham is the scene of the only murdered police officer in Surrey Police
's history.
On 6 July 1974 PCs John Schofield, Ray Fullalove and PS Harley Findlay were on routine patrol in Caterham when they became suspicious of a man on foot carrying a large holdall. They pulled alongside him in their patrol car and started to question him. As PC Fullalove started to get out of the car Egon Von Bulow produced a gun and shot him in the stomach before shooting PC Schofield dead. PS Findlay was also shot but was saved by his breast pocket notebook, which deflected the bullet into his arm.
Von Bulow escaped but was later arrested on the day of PC Schofield’s funeral, which took place at St. Mary’s Church, Caterham, six days later. In March 1975 Von Bulow was sentenced to life imprisonment for Murder. PS Findlay later received the Queen’s commendation for brave conduct.
The North Downs Way
, a popular National trail with walkers passes very close to the town.
situated opposite Caterham railway station in Caterham Valley. Church Walk was built on the site of the Valley Hotel, which was demolished in 1988. Long before the Valley Hotel was built (to cater for visitors arriving on the new railway trains) there used to be a tennis court, croquet lawn, rose garden, fountain, and Mr. Woollet's nursery.
sports car, have a dealership based in Station Avenue although the cars have actually been supplied by a factory in Dartford
since the company expanded. When Caterhams were first built, they were built in a small factory behind a petrol station in Townend, on Caterham-on-the-Hill.
Caterham Cars are known as much for racing
as they are for road use.
. You can now get a train into London stations:London Victoria station and London Bridge station
. You can also go to Charing Cross station
on a Sunday.
and Surrey Cricketers Ali Brown
and James Benning
attended the school.
attended the school.
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. The town is geographically divided into two sections: Caterham on the Hill
Caterham on the Hill
Caterham-on-the-Hill is a civil parish in Tandridge District Council in Surrey. It has a population of 11,555 and is the oldest part of Caterham. The parish council clerk is Helen Broughton....
and Caterham Valley
Caterham Valley
Caterham Valley is a civil parish in Tandridge Borough Council in Surrey. It has a population of 7,581. The parish council clerk is Bill Ridley.The parish church of St. John the Evangelist was consecrated in 1882....
- the main town centre. The town lies close to the A22
A22 road
The A22 is one of the two-digit major roads in the south east of England. It carries traffic from London to Eastbourne on the East Sussex coast...
, a few miles south 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...
, in a valley cut into the dip slope
Dip slope
A dip slope is a geological formation often created by erosion of tilted strata. Dip slopes are found on homoclinal ridges with one side that is steep and irregular and another side, the dip slope, that is generally planar with a dip parallel to the bedding...
of 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...
. Caterham on the Hill is above the western side of the valley.
History
The town lies within the Anglo-SaxonAnglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon is a term used by historians to designate the Germanic tribes who invaded and settled the south and east of Great Britain beginning in the early 5th century AD, and the period from their creation of the English nation to the Norman conquest. The Anglo-Saxon Era denotes the period of...
administrative division of Tandridge
Tandridge (hundred)
Tandridge was a hundred in what is now Surrey, England. It includes the borough of Tandridge.It includes the parishes of Bletchingley, Caterham, Chelsham, Crowhurst, Farleigh, Godstone, Horne, Limpsfield, Lingfield, Oxted, Tandridge, Tatsfield, Titsey, Warlingham and Woldingham.The hundred has...
hundred
Hundred (division)
A hundred is a geographic division formerly used in England, Wales, Denmark, South Australia, some parts of the United States, Germany , Sweden, Finland and Norway, which historically was used to divide a larger region into smaller administrative divisions...
.
The original settlement was on the ridge above the modern town and is now called Caterham on the Hill
Caterham on the Hill
Caterham-on-the-Hill is a civil parish in Tandridge District Council in Surrey. It has a population of 11,555 and is the oldest part of Caterham. The parish council clerk is Helen Broughton....
. The modern town in the valley is a product of the Victorian age and the coming of the Caterham railway line in 1856. The Victorian expansion of the town required the building of a much larger parish church (St Mary the Virgin) in 1866 but the old Norman
Norman architecture
About|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
church of St Lawrence was retained and remains directly across the road from St Mary's. As it grew Caterham Valley gained its own church, St. John the Evangelist, which was consecrated in 1882. It is even larger than St. Mary's.
From 1877 Caterham barracks on the hill was a depot for the foot guards regiments. In August 1975 a local public house (the Caterham Arms) which was frequented by soldiers was targeted by an IRA
Provisional Irish Republican Army
The Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
bomb.
The barracks were closed in the 1990s and the site redeveloped for housing.
Caterham is the scene of the only murdered police officer in Surrey Police
Surrey Police
Surrey Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing the county of Surrey in the south of England.The force is led by Chief Constable Mark Rowley and has its headquarters at Mount Browne, Guildford, Surrey...
's history.
On 6 July 1974 PCs John Schofield, Ray Fullalove and PS Harley Findlay were on routine patrol in Caterham when they became suspicious of a man on foot carrying a large holdall. They pulled alongside him in their patrol car and started to question him. As PC Fullalove started to get out of the car Egon Von Bulow produced a gun and shot him in the stomach before shooting PC Schofield dead. PS Findlay was also shot but was saved by his breast pocket notebook, which deflected the bullet into his arm.
Von Bulow escaped but was later arrested on the day of PC Schofield’s funeral, which took place at St. Mary’s Church, Caterham, six days later. In March 1975 Von Bulow was sentenced to life imprisonment for Murder. PS Findlay later received the Queen’s commendation for brave conduct.
The North Downs Way
North Downs Way
The North Downs Way is a long-distance path in southern England, opened in 1978. It runs from Farnham to Dover, past Godalming, Guildford, Dorking, Merstham, Otford and Rochester, along the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Kent Downs AONB.East of Boughton Lees, the path splits...
, a popular National trail with walkers passes very close to the town.
Notable people
- Angus DeaytonAngus DeaytonGordon Angus Deayton is an English actor, writer, musician, comedian and broadcaster. He is best known for his role as Victor Meldrew's long-suffering neighbour Patrick Trench in the comedy series One Foot in the Grave...
, television presenter, attended Oakhyrst Grange SchoolOakhyrst Grange SchoolOakhyrst Grange School is a small, independent school in Caterham, Surrey, England, for pupils aged 3–11. It is on the outskirts of Caterham, in Stanstead Road, and has been on its current site for over 50 years...
(Caterham) and Caterham School - Nicky ForsterNicky ForsterNicholas Michael "Nicky" Forster is a former professional footballer who has also been player-manager at Brentford, and is now manager of Dover Athletic...
, footballer, born in Caterham - Dar LyonDar LyonMalcolm Douglas Lyon , generally known as Dar Lyon was an English first-class cricketer who played for Somerset County Cricket Club through the 1920s...
, first class cricketer - Humphrey Lyttleton, jazz trumpeter & broadcaster, trained for Army at Caterham Barracks
- Bill NighyBill NighyWilliam Francis "Bill" Nighy is an English actor and comedian. He worked in theatre and television before his first cinema role in 1981, and made his name in television with The Men's Room in 1991, in which he played the womanizer Prof...
, actor, born in Caterham - Katie Price, former glamour model, author and celebrity, lives in the area
- Michael RobbinsMichael RobbinsMichael Anthony Robbins was a British actor known for his television work...
, actor, died in Caterham
Commerce
Church Walk
Church Walk Shopping Centre is a small shopping mallShopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
situated opposite Caterham railway station in Caterham Valley. Church Walk was built on the site of the Valley Hotel, which was demolished in 1988. Long before the Valley Hotel was built (to cater for visitors arriving on the new railway trains) there used to be a tennis court, croquet lawn, rose garden, fountain, and Mr. Woollet's nursery.
Caterham Cars
Makers of the Caterham SevenCaterham Seven
The Caterham Seven is a super-lightweight sports car produced by Caterham Cars in the United Kingdom. It is based on the Lotus Seven, a lightweight sports car sold in kit and factory-built form by Lotus Cars, from the late 1950s to the early 1970s...
sports car, have a dealership based in Station Avenue although the cars have actually been supplied by a factory in Dartford
Dartford
Dartford is the principal town in the borough of Dartford. It is situated in the northwest corner of Kent, England, east south-east of central London....
since the company expanded. When Caterhams were first built, they were built in a small factory behind a petrol station in Townend, on Caterham-on-the-Hill.
Caterham Cars are known as much for racing
Caterham Racing
Caterham Racing is a term used to describe Motor Racing of Caterham Seven-type sportscars.-History:The Caterham Seven is a small sports car produced by Caterham Cars in the United Kingdom. It is based on the Lotus Seven, a lightweight sports car sold in kit and pre-built form by Lotus Cars, from...
as they are for road use.
Transport
Rail
Caterham is the modern terminus of the 1856-built Caterham Line from PurleyPurley, London
Purley is a place in the London Borough of Croydon, England. It is a suburban development situated 11.7 miles south of Charing Cross.The name derives from "pirlea", which means 'Peartree lea'. Purley has a population of about 72,000....
. You can now get a train into London stations:London Victoria station and London Bridge station
London Bridge station
London Bridge railway station is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex in the London Borough of Southwark, occupying a large area on two levels immediately south-east of London Bridge and 1.6 miles east of Charing Cross. It is one of the oldest railway stations in the...
. You can also go to Charing Cross station
Charing Cross railway station
Charing Cross railway station, also known as London Charing Cross, is a central London railway terminus in the City of Westminster, England. It is one of 18 stations managed by Network Rail, and trains serving it are operated by Southeastern...
on a Sunday.
Buses
Bus routes that operate through Caterham are:- 400 (Caterham - East GrinsteadEast GrinsteadEast Grinstead is a town and civil parish in the northeastern corner of Mid Sussex, West Sussex in England near the East Sussex, Surrey, and Kent borders. It lies south of London, north northeast of Brighton, and east northeast of the county town of Chichester...
via Gatwick Airport) - 404 (Caterham – Old CoulsdonOld CoulsdonOld Coulsdon is a small village near Coulsdon in London, England and part of the London Borough of Croydon.The nearest station is Coulsdon South.-Schools:*****Oasis Academy Coulsdon was formerly Coulsdon High School...
) - 407 (Caterham – SuttonSutton, LondonSutton 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...
) - 409 (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...
– Caterham) - 466 (Caterham – Addington VillageAddington, LondonAddington is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Croydon. It is situated south south-east of Charing Cross.-History:...
) - 509 (Caterham - East Gristead via LingfieldLingfieldLingfield can refer to:* Lingfield, County Durham* Lingfield, Surrey** Lingfield Park Racecourse** Lingfield railway station, serving the village and racecourse...
) - 540 (WoldinghamWoldinghamWoldingham is a village and civil parish in Surrey located above sea level just within the M25, southeast of London. Situated high on the North Downs between Oxted and Warlingham, it is a village of 2,326 inhabitants...
– RedhillRedhillRedhill can refer to:* Redhill, South Australia, Australia* Redhill, Nottinghamshire, England* Redhill, Shropshire, England* Redhill, Somerset, England* Redhill, Surrey, England**Redhill railway station**Redhill Aerodrome* Redhill, Singapore, Singapore...
) - 603 (Redhill - OxtedOxtedOxted is a commuter town in Surrey, England at the foot of the North Downs, north of East Grinstead and south-east of Croydon.- History :The town lay within the Anglo-Saxon administrative division of Tandridge hundred....
)
Sport
Sports teams based in Caterham include youth football Queens Park FC, and Old Caterhamians Rugby Football Club, which was established in 1928. Caterham Cricket Club previously played in Queen's Park and now share facilities with the rugby club. Caterham Sea Cadets, formed in 1942, also participate in a number of watersports activities.Caterham School
Caterham School is a private co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 –18 years on the outskirts of Caterham. Angus DeaytonAngus Deayton
Gordon Angus Deayton is an English actor, writer, musician, comedian and broadcaster. He is best known for his role as Victor Meldrew's long-suffering neighbour Patrick Trench in the comedy series One Foot in the Grave...
and Surrey Cricketers Ali Brown
Ali Brown
Alistair Duncan Brown , more commonly known as Ali Brown, is an English cricketer who played for Surrey County Cricket Club, before moving to Nottinghamshire for the 2009 season. He is nicknamed "Lordy", in allusion to Ted Dexter because of his big-hitting, confident batting style...
and James Benning
James Benning (cricketer)
James Benning is an English cricketer who currently plays for Leicestershire County Cricket Club having previously represented Surrey. He is a right-hand bat and right-arm medium pace bowler...
attended the school.
Oakhyrst Grange School
Oakhyrst Grange School is a private co-educational school for pupils aged 3–11, on the outskirts of Caterham. Angus DeaytonAngus Deayton
Gordon Angus Deayton is an English actor, writer, musician, comedian and broadcaster. He is best known for his role as Victor Meldrew's long-suffering neighbour Patrick Trench in the comedy series One Foot in the Grave...
attended the school.
de Stafford College (de Stafford School)
de Stafford School is a state comprehensive school for students age 11–16. It is located on Burntwood LaneEssendene Lodge school
Essendene Lodge school is a small private school in Caterham in Essendene road near the blacksmith arms pub.East Surrey Museum
The small East Surrey Museum near the station houses a local history collection. It is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 10am −5pm.Miller centre
Based in the town centre the Miller Centre is a theatre and community centre that puts on regular non-professional shows, films and is host to a number of clubs and community groups.Nearest places
- CoulsdonCoulsdonCoulsdon is a town on the southernmost boundary of the London Borough of Croydon. It is surrounded by the Metropolitan Green Belt of the Farthing Down, Coulsdon Common and Kenley Common...
- KenleyKenleyKenley is a district in the south of the London Borough of Croydon. It borders Purley, Coulsdon, Riddlesdown, Caterham and Whyteleafe. Kenley is situated 13 miles south of Charing Cross. The 2001 census showed Kenley having a population of 13,525....
- PurleyPurley, LondonPurley is a place in the London Borough of Croydon, England. It is a suburban development situated 11.7 miles south of Charing Cross.The name derives from "pirlea", which means 'Peartree lea'. Purley has a population of about 72,000....
- 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...
- ChaldonChaldonChaldon is a village in Surrey, England on the North Downs to the west of Caterham. It falls within the boundaries of Tandridge district.The village lay within the Anglo-Saxon administrative division of Wallington hundred....
- GodstoneGodstoneGodstone is a village in the county of Surrey, England. It is located approximately six miles east of Reigate at the junction of the A22 and A25 major roads, and near the M25 motorway.-History:...
- SandersteadSandersteadSanderstead is a village in London Borough of Croydon, located on high ground at the edge of the built-up area of Greater London. From 1915 to 1965 it formed a parish in the Coulsdon and Purley Urban District of Surrey. Having been a farming community in previous centuries, Sanderstead is now...
- WarlinghamWarlinghamWarlingham is a large village on the south-eastern boundary of London, England, just across the border in Tandridge district, east Surrey. Neighbouring villages include Sanderstead, Hamsey Green, Whyteleafe, Farleigh, Fickleshole, Tatsfield and Woldingham...
- WoldinghamWoldinghamWoldingham is a village and civil parish in Surrey located above sea level just within the M25, southeast of London. Situated high on the North Downs between Oxted and Warlingham, it is a village of 2,326 inhabitants...
- WhyteleafeWhyteleafeWhyteleafe is a small town in South East England, in the Surrey district of Tandridge. Four streets in Whyteleafe are just inside the southern edge of the London Borough of Croydon. Neighbouring villages and towns include Woldingham, Caterham, Coulsdon, Warlingham, and Kenley...
Pubs and restaurants
- The Harrow
- The Valley – currently shut (formerly the Fountain and before that The Commonwealth)
- The Old Surrey Hounds
- The Royal Oak
- The Blacksmith's Arms
- The King and Queen
- The Golden Lion
- The Village Inn (formerly The Caterham Arms and before that The Asylum Tavern)
- The Clifton Arms – Closed
- The Tally Ho!
- The Pilgrim
- The Ladybird
- The Fox
- Olivish
External links
- History of Caterham Village
- Page for Caterham in Kelly's Directory of Kent, Surrey & Sussex, 1891
- Page with lots of photographs old and new of Caterham
- Official Dealer for Caterham Cars Caterham