HISTORY

Epsom can trace its existence back to 7th century Anglo-Saxon England and is located 13.6 miles (12.9 km) south-southwest of Charing Cross, London.

Epsom is known for the oldest flat horse race in the world, "The Derby", inaugurated in 1780.

It is also known for the eponymous mineral salt discovered in 1618 by Henry Wicker, an Epsom farmer who noticed that his cows would not drink the bitter-tasting water from the well, but would wade through a small pool of water on Epsom Common. To this day, people have used it to ease health problems, such as muscle soreness and stress.

Famous people born or connected with Epsom include Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Victoria Beckham (Designer), James Hunt (F1 World Champion), Andrew Garfield (Actor), and Tracey Emin (Artist).

TRAVEL

20 Worple Road, is a half-mile from Epsom town centre. Its buses offer routes into London and south into Surrey.

The railway station is on the main line into London Bridge, Victoria and Waterloo, with a journey taking 35-60 mins (dependent on service).

Epsom also has good road links, with junction 9 of the M25 just 4 miles away.

THINGS TO DO

As well as The Derby, held every June, the Epsom Playhouse, is its premier theatre, opera and music venue.

A multiplex cinema is located in the Upper High Street, and the town centre, and the North Downs, have many high-quality pubs and restaurants.

For cyclists, 10 miles away is Boxhill, which hosted the Olympic 2012 cycling stages.

And for retail therapy and more things to do, the county capital, Guildford, lies to the south-west, and the north, Kingston-Upon-Thames and Richmond-Upon-Thames