Horton, Surrey

The earliest evidence of human activity in Horton is from the mid-Bronze Age. Remains of pits, ditches and post holes in Long Grove Road indicate that the Horton area was used for agriculture in prehistoric times, which may suggest the presence of an established settlement nearby.[2] Pottery sherds and worked flints, found on the site of the former Manor Hospital site in Horton, show that human activity continued into the early Iron Age[3] and two staters (coins) from this period have been found in the area.[4]

As shown in an 1805 Ordnance Survey map of the area, Horton was a hamlet, separated by fields from the more substantial settlements of Ewell and Epsom.

During the 19th Century, the Horton Manor Estate existed across what is now present-day Horton. Owned by Thomas Buxton, it contained the hamlet of Horton, where the present day Horton Local Centre is located. A map from 1890 shows Horton Farm existed (now Hobbledown). Horton Manor House was located on what is now the western edge of the Manor Park Estate today. The Horton Manor Estate was part of the Epsom Parish. The north of the estate bordered the Ewell Parish.[5]

By the 1890's, psychiatric instutions in London were overcrowded, so a solution was sought outside of London. In 1896, a large proportion of the Horton Estate was bought for £35000 by London County Council to build new hospitals.[6] The Epsom Cluster was a group of five prodominantly psychiatric hospitals which operated in the locality throughout the 20th Century. They were linked by the Horton Light Railway, which branched off from the primary railway near Ewell West railway station.

Constructed from 1896 to 1899, this was the first psychiatric hospitals in the area. It closed in 1996. The area (in the south east of Horton) is now the Manor Park housing estate, backing on to Long Grove Park.

Horton Hospital was in the centre of the area, where the local retail centre now stands. It operated between 1902 and 1997, with some use of the site intil 2002. The hospital was a leading malaria research centre in the early 1970's. The Wolvercote Clinic (for the rehabilitation of sex offenders) ran from 1995 to 2002. The hospital land was then sold off by the government for development, which was constructed in the remainder of the 2000's decade.

Formerly the Ewell Epileptic Hospital (1904-18) before catering to patients with learning disabilities in the latter half of the 20th century.

The area, in the east of Horton now contains the Parkviews housing estate, which was completed in 2012. Small parts of the hospital still operate today.

Operated from 1907 to 1992 in the far west of the area. This psychiatric hospital was used in part for the contatiment of typhoid fever by incarcerating female carriers ofnthe disease. The gangster Ronnie Kray was a patient of the hospital in 1957. After Long Grove was closed, the Clarendon Park housing estate was built on the site of the hospital. It was completed by 2002. Some of the landscaped grounds of the hospital are preserved in Horton Country Park.

Operated from 1921 to 2003. A clinic still exists here, although this area is also predominantly a housing estate. Located in the south of Horton and is adjacent to both Horton Country Park and Epsom Common.

Housing estates rapidly sprung up on the former sites of the Epsom Cluster institutions, including Manor Park and Clarendon Park. They are all connected to Horton Lane via the extensive network of roundabouts.

The housing development coincided construction of a local retail centre in the middle of Horton. This was completed around 2010, containing a variety of amenities. Horton was made a ward of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council in 2022 owing to the substantial housing developments in the area. Previously, Horton was split into four different wards.

Include Clarendon Park in the north-west, Manor Park in the south-east and West Park in the south-west. Parkviews can be found in the north-east on the site of St Ebba's Hospital.

An area of shops in the middle of the area near to the junction of Horton Lane and Chantiliy Way. Centred around a large car park, its principal shop is the Tesco Express Convenience store. The area opened in 2010. The David Lloyd Leisure Centre and Hobbledown Children's park are located nearby.

Contains an 18 hole course, a Par 3 9 hole course, a driving range in addition to a crazy golf course which opened in 2014. Located in the north of Horton, contiguous with Horton Country Park

An area of enclosed green space located in the north of Horton. Hosts funfair events in addition to the annual firework and bonfire night. The Epsom Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) horse riding charity is based adjacent to the arena.

A 1.5 mile long area of open space just west of Horton Lane, with a large car park. A mixture of woodland and fields, containing some horses in the fields. Contains Epsom Polo Club. Adjacent to Epsom Common and Castle Hill Nature Reserve, Chessington.

An adventure park and zoo, located just west of Horton Lane, adjacent to the David Lloyd Centre and Horton Country Park. Contains a soft play area. Formerly known as Horton Park Children's Farm.

An enclosed space located in the east of the area. Contains a playground and is adjacent to the residential area in the west of Epsom. The park is also continous with open space beside Abbots Avenue.