Scenes on the way to the 1843 Derby

While looking through a few old newspapers I came across a newspaper I had not previously heard of The Illustrated London Life. The edition for 4th June 1843 was mainly devoted to a trip to the Derby. The text is far too long to repeat here but we will include a couple of extracts to accompany some of the following great drawings.

That Epsom was once celebrated for its spa everybody
knows. George, Prince of Denmark (Queen Anne’s Albert),
made it a fashionable resort. Seats, villas, &e. &e., sprung
up in vast and beautiful variety ; amid them, the Durdans,
This was formerly in the possession of Lord Guildford ; its
present occupant is Sir Gilbert Heathcote, a fine, true
English gentleman ; a sportsman, in the best sense of that
word ; the intimate friend of the late monarch of this
country, and the tried friend of the poor in his vicinity.
(See The Heathcotes of Durdans also The Durdans)

The celebrated Colonel O’Kelly lived at Epsom, and on
its Downs, Eclipse (the wonder of the turf) made his professional
debut, Eclipse was the first horse ever vanned.
(see Coffin Bones, Horseboxes and Epsom)