A potted history of Epsom

The subway to platforms at Epsom Station was brightened in 2022 with the addition of two sets of floor to ceiling posters offering a potted history of Epsom.

The Subway at Epsom Station showing, on the right, one of the sets of the “potted history” posters – each of which is shown in more detail below.

These posters (with artwork by Eliza Southwood) were commissioned by Go Epsom (the independent Business Improvement District for Epsom town centre) and appear alongside its welcome to visitors:

Welcome to Epsom

One of the UK’s original Spa Towns, Epsom has a rich and varied history. From the early discovery of Epsom Salts to sport, leisure, scandal, hedonism, feminism, famous residents, pioneering healthcare and innovation, Epsom is full of stories!

Enjoy Epsom

(This welcome is strengthened by smaller posters – of which, more below – alongside the steps to and from the platforms.)

Each of the floor to ceiling posters are shown below, each caption repeating the brief text – to which we have added clickable links to relevant pages on this website.

1618 A chance discovery of a Spring, rich in magnesium sulphate (Epsom Salts) on Epsom Common led to Epsom becoming one of the UK’s first spa towns. [See Epsom Spa.]

1620 – 1725 Epsom’s Spa Town status attracted rich and famous visitors from all over Europe. Samuel Pepys, Nell Gwynn and Daniel Defoe were regular visitors. [The featured building is the 1692 Assembly Rooms.]

1661 After the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, the first recorded horserace was in Epsom in 1661, in the presence of King Charles II.

1837 – Today Epsom, always home to pioneers, from the formidable Mrs Beeton to the UK’s earliest music therapy at Horton, it’s a trailblazing town where women have led the way.

1896 – Today From Epsom School of Arts to the University for the Creative Arts, Laine Theatre Arts, Epsom Playhouse and The Horton, Epsom continues to celebrate creativity.

The following photograph shows not only the other set of floor to ceiling posters (which is identical) but also some of the Go Epsom publicity posters alongside the steps to and from the platforms.

From bottom to top, the posters seen here are as below – again with repeats of the captions together with relevant clickable links.

Busy Markets since 1865.

A famous spa Spa town. [The bather here is adding Epsom Salts to her bathwater.]

Gateway to green open space. [See Parks & Open Spaces.]

Home of The Derby since 1780.

A town with vibrant arts & culture. [This features Laine Theatre Arts.]

Below is the view down the steps, showing the posters on both sides. (The set alongside the steps to the other platforms is identical.)

The set now seen on the right in the above is as below, starting from the top.

Nurturing Creativity. [This features the Fashion and Textiles strand of provision at the Epsom campus of the University of the Creative Arts.]

A town in the history books. [This features the Suffragettes plus an indication of horse racing – all pointing to Emily Davison.]

Take time to explore. [See the Epsom Heritage Trails – and the central feature in the poster is the Clock Tower.)

Home to the greatest flat race in the world. [The Derby]

History and heritage round every corner. [The buildings featured here are the Assembly Rooms; The Spread Eagle; and The Marquis of Granby.]

Extended from an article in the February 2023 edition of “Lives & Times“, the newsletter of the Epsom & Ewell Local and Family History Centre

All photographs by Roger Morgan © 2023 & 2024