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Coordinates: 51°21′36″N 0°20′31″W / 51.360°N 0.342°W / 51.360; -0.342
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{{Short description|Village and parish in Surrey, England}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2016}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
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|coordinates = {{coord|51.360|-0.342|display=inline,title}}
|coordinates = {{coord|51.360|-0.342|display=inline,title}}
| population = 7,168
| population = 7,168
| population_ref = (Civil Parish 2011)<ref name=ons>[http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk Key Statistics; Quick Statistics: Population Density] [[United Kingdom Census 2011]] ''[[Office for National Statistics]]'' Retrieved 21 November 2013</ref>
| population_ref = (Civil Parish 2011)<ref name=ons>[http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk Key Statistics; Quick Statistics: Population Density] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030211201309/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/ |date=11 February 2003 }} [[United Kingdom Census 2011]] ''[[Office for National Statistics]]'' Retrieved 21 November 2013</ref>
|area_total_km2=4.71
|area_total_km2=4.71
|os_grid_reference= TQ1563
|os_grid_reference= TQ1563
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|london_distance={{cvt|14+1/4|mi|km|round=0.5}}
|london_distance={{cvt|14+1/4|mi|km|round=0.5}}
}}
}}
'''Claygate''' is a suburban village in [[Surrey]], England, {{convert|13|mi|km|abbr=off}} southwest of central London. It is the only [[civil parishes in England|civil parish]] in the [[borough of Elmbridge]]. Surrounded by green belt, it lies inside the [[Greater London Built-up Area]].
'''Claygate''' is an affluent<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dann|first=Kitty|date=2013-09-02|title=Paying a high price to live in Elmbridge|url=http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/paying-high-price-live-elmbridge-5828687|access-date=2021-10-04|website=SurreyLive|language=en}}</ref> suburban village in [[Surrey]], England, {{convert|14|mi|km|abbr=off}} southwest of central London. It is the only [[civil parishes in England|civil parish]] in the [[borough of Elmbridge]]. Adjoining [[Esher]] and [[Hinchley Wood]] to the west and north respectively, and bordered by green belt land to the south and east, Claygate lies within the [[Greater London Built-up Area]].


Claygate was once in the main manor of [[Thames Ditton]], but is now administered from [[Esher]]. It is primarily residential and has a small number of offices, outlying farms and two small shopping areas, the Old Village and the Parade, with hair and beauty shops, a supermarket, five [[pubs]] and a number of restaurants.
Claygate was once in the main manor of [[Thames Ditton]], but is now administered from [[Esher]]. It is primarily residential and has a small number of offices, outlying farms and two small shopping areas, the Old Village and the Parade, with hair and beauty shops, a supermarket, five [[pubs]] and a number of restaurants.
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==History==
==History==
===Etymology===
===Etymology===
Claygate may have its name from the clay pits in the village that provided bricks for a large surrounding area including some of [[Hampton Court Palace]]. Claygate's lack of main thoroughfares has been attributed to angle of the [[River Thames]] leading the [[A307 road (Great Britain)|A307]] main road (from London) south-west instead through [[Esher]], as well as historical conditions where through roads became impassible in wet weather because of the clay; often close to the surface.<ref>Malcolm W H Peebles ''The Claygate Book: a History of a Surrey Village'' (1983)</ref> Equally, mid-distance routes chose a line to avoid this land, before the advent of road surfacing, such as those through [[Tolworth]] and Esher.
Claygate may have its name from the clay pits in the village that provided bricks for a large surrounding area including some of [[Hampton Court Palace]]. Claygate's lack of main thoroughfares has been attributed to the angle of the [[River Thames]] leading the [[A307 road (Great Britain)|A307]] main road (from London) south-west instead through [[Esher]], as well as historical conditions where through roads became impassible in wet weather because of the clay; often close to the surface.<ref>Malcolm W H Peebles ''The Claygate Book: a History of a Surrey Village'' (1983)</ref> Equally, mid-distance routes chose a line to avoid this land, before the advent of road surfacing, such as those through [[Tolworth]] and Esher.


===Manor===
===Manor===
Claygate appears in [[Domesday Book]] as a [[manor]] of Thames Ditton, ''Claigate''. This main manor of the village was held by [[Westminster Abbey]]. Its domesday assets were: {{frac|1|2}} [[hide (unit)|hide]]; 2 [[plough]]s, {{convert|5|acre|ha|0|abbr=off}} of [[meadow]], [[woodland]] worth 1 hog. It rendered £2 10s 0d per year to its [[feudal system|overlords]].<ref>[http://www.gwp.enta.net/surrnames.htm Surrey Domesday Book] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715015325/http://www.gwp.enta.net/surrnames.htm |date=15 July 2007 }}</ref> The manor descended (after its purchase in 1565) from the [[Vincent baronets|Vincent family]] to the [[George Evelyn (disambiguation)|Evelyn family]]. Much land remained in the manor when it was sold between 1718 and 1721 to the [[Earl of Lovelace]], the King family and currently [[Hugh F. Locke King|Locke King]] family who had sold the vast majority of its land by 1970.<ref name=m/>
Claygate appears in the [[Domesday Book]] of 1086 as a [[Manorialism|manor]] of Thames Ditton, ''Claigate''. This main manor of the village was held by [[Westminster Abbey]]. Its domesday assets were: {{frac|1|2}} [[hide (unit)|hide]]; 2 [[plough]]s, {{convert|5|acre|ha|0|abbr=off}} of [[meadow]], [[woodland]] worth 1 hog. It rendered £2 10s 0d per year to its [[feudal system|overlords]].<ref>[http://www.gwp.enta.net/surrnames.htm Surrey Domesday Book] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715015325/http://www.gwp.enta.net/surrnames.htm |date=15 July 2007 }}</ref> The manor descended (after its purchase in 1565) from the [[Vincent baronets|Vincent family]] to the [[George Evelyn (disambiguation)|Evelyn family]]. Much land remained in the manor when it was sold between 1718 and 1721 to the [[Earl of Lovelace]], the King family and currently [[Hugh F. Locke King|Locke King]] family who had sold the vast majority of its land by 1970.<ref name=m/>


===Other medieval history===
===Other medieval history===
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===19th century===
===19th century===
In about 1822 the [[Claygate Pearmain]] apple was discovered by John Braddick, growing in a hedge here. In 1840 its church, Holy Trinity, was built of stone in 14th-century style, with a tower, enlarged in 1860, and restored in 1902. The school was built in 1838 as a Church school, and enlarged in 1849.<ref name=m>{{cite web |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=43008 |title=Parishes: Thames Ditton |author=H.E. Malden (editor) |publisher=Institute of Historical Research |date=1911 |work=A History of the County of Surrey: Volume 3 |accessdate=21 November 2013}}</ref> It was rebuilt by the School Board of Thames Ditton in 1885. Claygate has a Baptist chapel, built in 1861.
In about 1822 the [[Claygate Pearmain]] apple was discovered by John Braddick, growing in a hedge here. In 1840 its church, Holy Trinity, was built of stone in 14th-century style, with a tower, enlarged in 1860, and restored in 1902. The school was built in 1838 as a Church school, and enlarged in 1849.<ref name=m>{{cite web |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=43008 |title=Parishes: Thames Ditton |editor=H.E. Malden |publisher=Institute of Historical Research |date=1911 |work=A History of the County of Surrey: Volume 3 |access-date=21 November 2013}}</ref> It was rebuilt by the School Board of Thames Ditton in 1885. Claygate has a Baptist chapel, built in 1861.


Claygate's development chiefly was in the 60 years after the construction of its railway line and station (on the [[New Guildford Line]]); [[Claygate railway station|the station]] opened in 1885.
Claygate's development chiefly was in the 60 years after the construction of its railway line and station (on the [[New Guildford Line]]); [[Claygate railway station|the station]] opened in 1885.


With commanding views over the surrounding countryside is Ruxley Towers, a [[Neo-Gothic]] [[Victorian era|Victorian]] edifice constructed by [[Henry Thomas Foley, 5th Baron Foley|Lord Foley]] who owned a considerable amount of land. On the other side of the village is Telegraph Hill where a [[Semaphore line|semaphore]] station was built in 1822 to transmit messages between the [[Admiralty]] and [[Portsmouth]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Telegraph Hill |url=http://www.org2b.com/claygate/index.php?LMCL=S9zJfO&title=Telegraph_Hill |website=The Claygater |accessdate=3 February 2020}}</ref>
With commanding views over the surrounding countryside is Ruxley Towers, a [[Neo-Gothic]] [[Victorian era|Victorian]] edifice constructed by [[Henry Thomas Foley, 5th Baron Foley|Lord Foley]] who owned a considerable amount of land. On the other side of the village is Telegraph Hill where a [[Semaphore line|semaphore]] station was built in 1822 to transmit messages between the [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] and [[Portsmouth]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Telegraph Hill |url=http://www.org2b.com/claygate/index.php?LMCL=S9zJfO&title=Telegraph_Hill |website=The Claygater |access-date=3 February 2020}}</ref>


===20th century===
===20th century===
In 1911 brick and tile production works, rather than retail sites, continued to employ men near the station in the 1910s. In 1911 Claygate was under the same urban council as Thames Ditton.<ref name=m/>
In 1911 brick and tile production works, rather than retail sites, continued to employ men near the station in the 1910s. In 1911 Claygate was under the same urban council as Thames Ditton.<ref name=m/>

=== 21st century ===
The Al-Hilli family who were killed in the [[Annecy shootings]] in France, lived in Claygate.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Proto|first=Laura|date=2015-08-12|title=Surrey home of murdered Al-Hilli family put up for sale|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/surrey-home-of-murdered-alhilli-family-put-up-for-sale-three-years-after-their-deaths-a2487416.html|access-date=2021-08-23|website=www.standard.co.uk|language=en}}</ref>


==Geography==
==Geography==
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"The Parade" is the larger of Claygate's two shopping areas. It starts at Claygate railway station and continues through The Parade itself into Hare Lane.
"The Parade" is the larger of Claygate's two shopping areas. It starts at Claygate railway station and continues through The Parade itself into Hare Lane.


Claygate has six [[pubs]]: one of the annual village traditions is a [[Boxing Day]] tour of these by [[Morris dance]]rs.
Claygate has five [[pubs]]: one of the annual village traditions is a [[Boxing Day]] tour of these by [[Morris dance]]rs.


Local newspapers covering Claygate include ''The Surrey Advertiser'', ''The Surrey Comet'' and ''The Herald'', and two freely distributed newspapers, ''The Informer'' and ''The Guardian''. Claygate is in the editorial area of [[BBC Surrey]], although its proximity to London means all of the capital's radio stations can be heard.
Local newspapers covering Claygate include ''The Surrey Advertiser'', ''The Surrey Comet'' and ''The Herald'', and two freely distributed newspapers, ''The Informer'' and ''The Guardian''. Claygate is in the editorial area of [[BBC Surrey]], although its proximity to London means all of the capital's radio stations can be heard.
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==Community==
==Community==
[[Image:Claygate02.JPG|thumb|right|Holy Trinity Church]]
[[Image:Claygate02.JPG|thumb|right|Holy Trinity Church]]
Claygate (Primary) School was established in Elm Road in 1885, becoming an Infant School which closed shortly after its centenary – ''The Firs'', the Junior School, became the new single site. The original school building was in the late 20th century redeveloped as Claygate's Youth Centre/Community Centre and Capelfield surgery. Rowan Preparatory School is a private independent school consisting of a nursery and primary school for girls.
Established in 1885, Claygate (Primary) School initially stood on Elm Road. Although the Infant School closed a little after celebrating its centenary, 'The Firs', which served as the Junior School, transitioned into the primary site. Later in the 20th century, the original school building was repurposed to house Claygate's Youth Centre/Community Centre and the Capelfield surgery. Additionally, Rowan Preparatory School operates as a private independent institution, offering nursery and primary education specifically for girls.


The Anglican church is "Holy Trinity", built in 1840, which is unusual for having two spires. There is also a First Church of Christ Scientist. [[Roman catholicism]] is served by the Church of the Holy Name in Arbrook Lane, Esher.
The local Anglican church, "Holy Trinity," constructed in 1840, stands out due to its unique dual spires. The community also houses the First Church of Christ Scientist. For adherents of [[Roman Catholicism]], the Church of the Holy Name, located on Arbrook Lane in Esher, offers services.


Claygate Village Association is a non-political charity founded in 1946, organise some of the key village events; the Christmas lights, The Claygate Music Festival, the Claygate Gardens Trail, Claygate in Bloom and for the first time in 2014, the Claygate Spring Festival. The village is served with medical support by Capelfield Surgery.
Claygate Village Association is a non-political charity founded in 1946, organise some of the key village events; the Christmas lights, The Claygate Music Festival, the Claygate Gardens Trail, Claygate in Bloom and for the first time in 2014, the Claygate Spring Festival. The village is served with medical support by Capelfield Surgery.
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A monthly magazine covers the borough with one other edition nationally, ''Living Within''.<ref>[http://www.livingwithin.com/the-areas-we-cover.html Areas covered] Living Within. Retrieved 21 November 2013.</ref>
A monthly magazine covers the borough with one other edition nationally, ''Living Within''.<ref>[http://www.livingwithin.com/the-areas-we-cover.html Areas covered] Living Within. Retrieved 21 November 2013.</ref>

==Education==
Claygate is served by a mix of state and independent schools that also serve the areas of Esher and Hinchley Wood, all of which share the KT10 postcode.

=== State Primary Schools ===

* Esher Church School
* Cranmere Primary
* [[Hinchley Wood School|Hinchley Wood Primary]]
* Claygate Primary

=== Independent Primary Schools ===

* Rowan Preparatory School
* Shrewsbury House Pre-Prep
* [[Milbourne Lodge School|Milbourne Lodge]]

=== State Secondary Schools ===

* Esher College
*Esher Church of England High School
* [[Hinchley Wood School]]

=== Independent Secondary Schools ===

* [[Milbourne Lodge School|Milbourne Lodge]]
* [[Claremont Fan Court School|Claremont Fan Court]]


==In arts and the media==
==In arts and the media==
[[File:TelegraphHouse01.JPG|right|thumb|Telegraph House on Telegraph Hill]]
[[File:TelegraphHouse01.JPG|thumb|Semaphore House on Telegraph Hill]]
Filming carried out in Claygate includes:
Filming carried out in Claygate includes:
*''[[The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (film)|The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner]]'' (Tony Richardson 1961) starring [[Tom Courtenay]], set at Ruxley Towers (Ruxton Towers in the film) and showing much of the surrounding countryside before the construction of the Esher By-pass.
*''[[The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (film)|The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner]]'' (Tony Richardson 1961) starring [[Tom Courtenay]], set at Ruxley Towers (Ruxton Towers in the film) and showing much of the surrounding countryside before the construction of the Esher By-pass.
*The BBC TV situation comedy ''[[Wyatt's Watchdogs]]'' which starred [[Brian Wilde]] and [[Trevor Bannister]] and was about a [[Neighbourhood Watch]] group.
*The BBC TV situation comedy ''[[Wyatt's Watchdogs]]'' which starred [[Brian Wilde]] and [[Trevor Bannister]] and was about a [[Neighbourhood Watch]] group.
*''[[Never the Twain]]'' (1981) which used the Greek Vine restaurant frontage on The Green as the shop fronts. The [[Thames Television]] sitcom starred [[Windsor Davies]] and [[Donald Sinden]] as two grumpy [[antique]] shop owners.
*''[[Never the Twain]]'' (1981) which used the Greek Vine restaurant (now Averna, an Italian restaurant) frontage on The Green as the shop fronts. The [[Thames Television]] sitcom starred [[Windsor Davies]] and [[Donald Sinden]] as two grumpy [[antique]] shop owners.
*A sketch for ''[[The Two Ronnies]]''
*A sketch for ''[[The Two Ronnies]]''
*A shampoo commercial
*A shampoo commercial
*A clip from ''[[Men Behaving Badly]]''. (filmed outside ''The Winning Horse'')
*A clip from ''[[Men Behaving Badly]]''. (filmed outside ''The Winning Horse'')


Previous residents of Claygate include "[[Monty Python|Python]]" [[Terry Jones]], "[[Rolling Stone]]" [[Ronnie Wood]], and presenter/actor [[Michael Aspel]]. British historian [[Frances Yates]] (1899-1980), a longtime resident, is buried in the churchyard at Holy Trinity church. Claygate often has a celebrity to switch on its Christmas lights. These have included [[Cliff Richard]], [[Gloria Hunniford]], [[Tony Stamp]] and [[Roger Valentine]] from ''[[The Bill]]'', [[Bernie Nolan]], [[Mick Hucknell]], [[Ronnie Wood]], [[Anthea Turner]] and most recently [[Bobby Davro]]<ref name=c/>
Previous residents of Claygate include "[[Monty Python|Python]]" [[Terry Jones]], "[[Rolling Stone]]" [[Ronnie Wood]], and presenter/actor [[Michael Aspel]]. British historian [[Frances Yates]] (1899-1980), a longtime resident, is buried in the churchyard at Holy Trinity church. Claygate often has a celebrity to switch on its Christmas lights. These have included [[Cliff Richard]], [[Gloria Hunniford]], [[Tony Stamp]] and [[Roger Valentine]] from ''[[The Bill]]'', [[Bernie Nolan]], [[Mick Hucknall]], [[Ronnie Wood]], [[Anthea Turner]] and most recently [[Bobby Davro]].<ref name=c/>


==Transport==
==Transport==
;Rail
;Rail
[[Claygate railway station]] is managed by [[South Western Railway (train operating company)|South Western Railway]], which operates all services.<ref>{{cite web |title= Trains to Claygate station |publisher= South Western Railway |url= https://www.southwesternrailway.com/travelling-with-us/at-the-station/claygate |access-date= 5 October 2023 }}</ref> Trains run to {{rws|London Waterloo}} via {{rws|Surbiton}} and to {{rws|Guildford}} via {{rws|Effingham Junction}}.<ref>{{cite web |title= 11: Guildford via Effingham Junction to London Waterloo |date= 4 September 2023 |publisher= South Western Railway |url= https://www.southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey/-/media/b2c4fdd2796d4134b6cb3cdd96b06448.ashx |access-date= 5 October 2023 }}</ref>
From [[Claygate railway station]]; the journey to [[London Waterloo railway station|London Waterloo]] takes, at its fastest, 29 minutes, the station also provides direct access to central [[Guildford railway station|Guildford]], [[London Road (Guildford) railway station|London Road]], Guildford, [[Surbiton railway station|Surbiton]] and [[Wimbledon railway station|Wimbledon]]. Guildford provides a number of other direction routes as does [[Clapham Junction railway station|Clapham Junction]].


;Buses
;Buses
Claygate is served by [[London Buses]]' [[London Buses route K3|route K3]] to Esher, Kingston and Roehampton Vale, operated by [[London United Busways|London United]].
Claygate is served by [[London Buses]]' [[London Buses route K3|route K3]] to Esher, Surbiton, Kingston and Roehampton Vale, operated by [[London United Busways|London United]].


;Roads
;Roads
The [[M3 motorway (Great Britain)|M3 motorway]], has its Hinchley Wood and Esher spur road directly north of Claygate allowing a traffic-lit junction with convenient access to/from London, and second junction by the Scilly Isles Roundabout with access to [[Hampton Court Bridge]] for journeys north.
The A3 trunk road has its Hinchley Wood and Esher (A309) spur road directly north of Claygate allowing a traffic-lit junction with convenient access to/from London, and second junction by the Scilly Isles Roundabout with access to [[Hampton Court Bridge]] for journeys north.


A third A3 junction is almost 2&nbsp;km along Copsem Lane to the south for journeys towards the south-west and west, Wisley interchange or for journeys east, continuing south along the [[A245 road|A245]] to the [[Leatherhead]] Common junction of the [[M25 motorway|M25]].
A third A3 junction is almost 2&nbsp;km along Copsem Lane to the south for journeys towards the south-west and west, Wisley interchange or for journeys east, continuing south along the [[A245 road|A245]] to the [[Leatherhead]] Common junction of the [[M25 motorway|M25]].
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==Politics==
==Politics==
Claygate is served by a Parish Council made up of 10 elected representatives. The Parish Council has some responsibilities, acquired from Surrey County and Elmbridge Borough Councils, such as highway garden sites and [[tree planting]]. The parish council is also influential in its responses to planning applications in the area.
Claygate is served by a parish council made up of 10 elected representatives. The parish council has some responsibilities, acquired from Surrey County and Elmbridge Borough Councils, such as highway, garden sites and [[tree planting]]. The parish council is also influential in its responses to planning applications in the area.


Claygate is in the parliamentary constituency of [[Esher and Walton]], which since its inception has been a relatively [[safe seat]] for the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]]. Local government is administered by [[Elmbridge Borough Council]] and [[Surrey County Council]].
Claygate is in the parliamentary constituency of [[Esher and Walton]], which since its inception in 1997 has been a relatively [[safe seat]] for the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]]. The local MP since 2024 is [[Monica Harding]]. Local government is administered by [[Elmbridge Borough Council]] and [[Surrey County Council]].


At [[Surrey County Council]], one of the 81 representatives represents the area within the ''Hinchley Wood, Claygate and Oxshott'' division.<ref>[http://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/mgWardMap.aspx Electoral Divisions] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202225249/http://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/mgWardMap.aspx |date=2 December 2013 }} Surrey County Council. Retrieved 6 November 2013</ref>
At [[Surrey County Council]], one of its 81 councillors represents the area within the ''Hinchley Wood, Claygate and Oxshott'' division.<ref>[http://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/mgWardMap.aspx Electoral Divisions] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202225249/http://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/mgWardMap.aspx |date=2 December 2013 }} Surrey County Council. Retrieved 6 November 2013</ref>


At [[Elmbridge Borough Council]] all wards of the borough are deemed appropriate to be represented under the current constitution of councillors by three councillors.<ref name=r>[http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/committees/wardmembers.htm?wardid=1 Your local councillors] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610200908/http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/committees/wardmembers.htm?wardid=1 |date=10 June 2015 }} [[Elmbridge Borough Council]] . Retrieved 20 November 2013</ref>
At [[Elmbridge Borough Council]] all wards of the borough are deemed appropriate to be represented under the current constitution of councillors by three councillors.<ref name=r>[http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/committees/wardmembers.htm?wardid=1 Your local councillors] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610200908/http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/committees/wardmembers.htm?wardid=1 |date=10 June 2015 }} [[Elmbridge Borough Council]] . Retrieved 20 November 2013</ref>
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Ward
Ward
|-
|-
|style="background-color: {{Liberal Democrats (UK)/meta/color}}" |
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}" |
|2016
|2016
|Mary Marshall || Claygate
|Mary Marshall || Claygate
|-
|-
|style="background-color:{{Liberal Democrats (UK)/meta/color}}" |
|style="background-color:{{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}" |
|2016
|2016
|Alex Coomes || Claygate
|Alex Coomes || Claygate
|-
|-
|style="background-color: {{Liberal Democrats (UK)/meta/color}}" |
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}" |
|2016
|2016
|Kim Cross || Claygate
|Kim Cross || Claygate
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Electoral Division
Electoral Division
|-
|-
|style="background-color: {{Conservative Party (UK)/meta/color}}" |
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" |
|2013
|2013
|Mike Bennison || Hinchley Wood, Claygate and Oxshott
|Mike Bennison || Hinchley Wood, Claygate and Oxshott
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{{Commons category|Claygate}}
{{Commons category|Claygate}}


*[https://claygate.org.uk/index.php/Main_Page Discover Claygate website]
*[http://www.claygateparishcouncil.gov.uk Claygate Parish Council website]
*[http://www.claygateparishcouncil.gov.uk Claygate Parish Council website]
*[http://www.claygateflowershow.co.uk The Claygate Flower & Village Show website]
*[http://www.claygateflowershow.co.uk The Claygate Flower & Village Show website]

Latest revision as of 22:58, 16 November 2024

Claygate
Claygate Parade and village sign, showing bricks and the Claygate Pearmain
Claygate is located in Surrey
Claygate
Claygate
Location within Surrey
Area4.71 km2 (1.82 sq mi)
Population7,168 (Civil Parish 2011)[1]
• Density1,522/km2 (3,940/sq mi)
OS grid referenceTQ1563
• London14+1⁄4 mi (23 km)
Civil parish
  • Claygate
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townEsher
Postcode districtKT10
Dialling code01372
020 (small part)
PoliceSurrey
FireSurrey
AmbulanceSouth East Coast
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Surrey
51°21′36″N 0°20′31″W / 51.360°N 0.342°W / 51.360; -0.342

Claygate is an affluent[2] suburban village in Surrey, England, 14 miles (23 kilometres) southwest of central London. It is the only civil parish in the borough of Elmbridge. Adjoining Esher and Hinchley Wood to the west and north respectively, and bordered by green belt land to the south and east, Claygate lies within the Greater London Built-up Area.

Claygate was once in the main manor of Thames Ditton, but is now administered from Esher. It is primarily residential and has a small number of offices, outlying farms and two small shopping areas, the Old Village and the Parade, with hair and beauty shops, a supermarket, five pubs and a number of restaurants.

Claygate lies on the Claygate Beds, a clay formation up to 15 metres (50 feet) thick, which extends well beyond the village. These beds are the youngest part of the London Clay geological formation, forming a transition between the clay and the sandier Bagshot Beds above.[3]

History

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

Claygate may have its name from the clay pits in the village that provided bricks for a large surrounding area including some of Hampton Court Palace. Claygate's lack of main thoroughfares has been attributed to the angle of the River Thames leading the A307 main road (from London) south-west instead through Esher, as well as historical conditions where through roads became impassible in wet weather because of the clay; often close to the surface.[4] Equally, mid-distance routes chose a line to avoid this land, before the advent of road surfacing, such as those through Tolworth and Esher.

Manor

[edit]

Claygate appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a manor of Thames Ditton, Claigate. This main manor of the village was held by Westminster Abbey. Its domesday assets were: 1⁄2 hide; 2 ploughs, 5 acres (2 hectares) of meadow, woodland worth 1 hog. It rendered £2 10s 0d per year to its overlords.[5] The manor descended (after its purchase in 1565) from the Vincent family to the Evelyn family. Much land remained in the manor when it was sold between 1718 and 1721 to the Earl of Lovelace, the King family and currently Locke King family who had sold the vast majority of its land by 1970.[6]

Other medieval history

[edit]

Claygate was formed as an ecclesiastical parish from Thames Ditton in 1841. Scant remains were traced in boundary lines of an early medieval track running from Kingston Hill to the ford of the Mole near to a square entrenchment in Leatherhead almost in Stoke D'Abernon.[6]

19th century

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In about 1822 the Claygate Pearmain apple was discovered by John Braddick, growing in a hedge here. In 1840 its church, Holy Trinity, was built of stone in 14th-century style, with a tower, enlarged in 1860, and restored in 1902. The school was built in 1838 as a Church school, and enlarged in 1849.[6] It was rebuilt by the School Board of Thames Ditton in 1885. Claygate has a Baptist chapel, built in 1861.

Claygate's development chiefly was in the 60 years after the construction of its railway line and station (on the New Guildford Line); the station opened in 1885.

With commanding views over the surrounding countryside is Ruxley Towers, a Neo-Gothic Victorian edifice constructed by Lord Foley who owned a considerable amount of land. On the other side of the village is Telegraph Hill where a semaphore station was built in 1822 to transmit messages between the Admiralty and Portsmouth.[7]

20th century

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In 1911 brick and tile production works, rather than retail sites, continued to employ men near the station in the 1910s. In 1911 Claygate was under the same urban council as Thames Ditton.[6]

21st century

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The Al-Hilli family who were killed in the Annecy shootings in France, lived in Claygate.[8]

Geography

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Claygate's topsoil rests upon the youngest beds of the London Clay after which the village is named, here capped in places by sand in the southern part of the civil parish. Claygate has its own parish council. Apart from an interweave of streets with Esher, Claygate is surrounded by woodlands and open countryside, including Claygate Common, Princes Covert, Winney Hill, Surbiton Golf Course, Telegraph Hill, Littleworth Common and Arbrook Common. Much of the outlying farmland is used for grazing ponies, two farms are run for cultivation. The Rythe is a major stream running north through Claygate, and as a responsive channel in the clay basins has been implicated in late 20th century flash flooding in small pockets of the village: a major flood alleviation scheme has been completed which commenced in 2002.[9] The centre-to-centre distance from London is 14+1⁄4 miles (23 kilometres).[10]

Many of Claygate's residents commute to the capital using the train services, see Transport. Claygate is in the relatively small area between the M25 and Kingston-upon-Thames. Constrained by the Green Belt, demand has resulted in Claygate being subject to a level of permitted in-fill and back-garden development.[11]

View over Claygate from Telegraph Hill to Ruxley Towers

Commerce and services

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"The Parade" is the larger of Claygate's two shopping areas. It starts at Claygate railway station and continues through The Parade itself into Hare Lane.

Claygate has five pubs: one of the annual village traditions is a Boxing Day tour of these by Morris dancers.

Local newspapers covering Claygate include The Surrey Advertiser, The Surrey Comet and The Herald, and two freely distributed newspapers, The Informer and The Guardian. Claygate is in the editorial area of BBC Surrey, although its proximity to London means all of the capital's radio stations can be heard.

There are several small farms in Claygate; many of the farms are or incorporate horseriding centres.

Community

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Holy Trinity Church

Established in 1885, Claygate (Primary) School initially stood on Elm Road. Although the Infant School closed a little after celebrating its centenary, 'The Firs', which served as the Junior School, transitioned into the primary site. Later in the 20th century, the original school building was repurposed to house Claygate's Youth Centre/Community Centre and the Capelfield surgery. Additionally, Rowan Preparatory School operates as a private independent institution, offering nursery and primary education specifically for girls.

The local Anglican church, "Holy Trinity," constructed in 1840, stands out due to its unique dual spires. The community also houses the First Church of Christ Scientist. For adherents of Roman Catholicism, the Church of the Holy Name, located on Arbrook Lane in Esher, offers services.

Claygate Village Association is a non-political charity founded in 1946, organise some of the key village events; the Christmas lights, The Claygate Music Festival, the Claygate Gardens Trail, Claygate in Bloom and for the first time in 2014, the Claygate Spring Festival. The village is served with medical support by Capelfield Surgery. Community groups, clubs, and sports teams. include Claygate Cricket Club and Claygate Royals Football Club. A major annual event is the Claygate Flower & Village Show which takes place on the Recreation Ground in late July each year. 2013 saw the 100th show, where there were 7,000 visitors.

A monthly magazine covers the borough with one other edition nationally, Living Within.[12]

Education

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Claygate is served by a mix of state and independent schools that also serve the areas of Esher and Hinchley Wood, all of which share the KT10 postcode.

State Primary Schools

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Independent Primary Schools

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State Secondary Schools

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Independent Secondary Schools

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In arts and the media

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Semaphore House on Telegraph Hill

Filming carried out in Claygate includes:

Previous residents of Claygate include "Python" Terry Jones, "Rolling Stone" Ronnie Wood, and presenter/actor Michael Aspel. British historian Frances Yates (1899-1980), a longtime resident, is buried in the churchyard at Holy Trinity church. Claygate often has a celebrity to switch on its Christmas lights. These have included Cliff Richard, Gloria Hunniford, Tony Stamp and Roger Valentine from The Bill, Bernie Nolan, Mick Hucknall, Ronnie Wood, Anthea Turner and most recently Bobby Davro.[11]

Transport

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Rail

Claygate railway station is managed by South Western Railway, which operates all services.[13] Trains run to London Waterloo via Surbiton and to Guildford via Effingham Junction.[14]

Buses

Claygate is served by London Buses' route K3 to Esher, Surbiton, Kingston and Roehampton Vale, operated by London United.

Roads

The A3 trunk road has its Hinchley Wood and Esher (A309) spur road directly north of Claygate allowing a traffic-lit junction with convenient access to/from London, and second junction by the Scilly Isles Roundabout with access to Hampton Court Bridge for journeys north.

A third A3 junction is almost 2 km along Copsem Lane to the south for journeys towards the south-west and west, Wisley interchange or for journeys east, continuing south along the A245 to the Leatherhead Common junction of the M25.

Demography

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The proportion of households in Claygate who owned their home outright was 8.5% above the regional average. The proportion who owned their home with a loan was 4.0% higher than the regional average; providing overall a lower proportion than average of rented residential property and of social housing relative to the average in Surrey, the district and the national average. As with neighbouring Esher, Claygate has a large number of very large properties (mansions). These are concentrated within the Ruxley Private Estate, on the Esher-Claygate border and in the roads to the south of the railway station.[15]

2011 Census Key Statistics
Output area Population Households % Owned outright % Owned with a loan hectares[1]
Claygate (CP) 7,168 2,788 41.0 39.1 471[1]

Politics

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Claygate is served by a parish council made up of 10 elected representatives. The parish council has some responsibilities, acquired from Surrey County and Elmbridge Borough Councils, such as highway, garden sites and tree planting. The parish council is also influential in its responses to planning applications in the area.

Claygate is in the parliamentary constituency of Esher and Walton, which since its inception in 1997 has been a relatively safe seat for the Conservative Party. The local MP since 2024 is Monica Harding. Local government is administered by Elmbridge Borough Council and Surrey County Council.

At Surrey County Council, one of its 81 councillors represents the area within the Hinchley Wood, Claygate and Oxshott division.[16]

At Elmbridge Borough Council all wards of the borough are deemed appropriate to be represented under the current constitution of councillors by three councillors.[17]

Elmbridge Borough Councillors
Election Member[17]

Ward

2016 Mary Marshall Claygate
2016 Alex Coomes Claygate
2016 Kim Cross Claygate
Surrey County Councillor
Election Member[18]

Electoral Division

2013 Mike Bennison Hinchley Wood, Claygate and Oxshott

References

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  1. ^ a b c Key Statistics; Quick Statistics: Population Density Archived 11 February 2003 at the Wayback Machine United Kingdom Census 2011 Office for National Statistics Retrieved 21 November 2013
  2. ^ Dann, Kitty (2 September 2013). "Paying a high price to live in Elmbridge". SurreyLive. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  3. ^ Sumbler, M. G. (1996). London and the Thames Valley. British Regional Geology series (4th ed.). British Geological Survey. ISBN 0-11-884522-5.
  4. ^ Malcolm W H Peebles The Claygate Book: a History of a Surrey Village (1983)
  5. ^ Surrey Domesday Book Archived 15 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ a b c d H.E. Malden, ed. (1911). "Parishes: Thames Ditton". A History of the County of Surrey: Volume 3. Institute of Historical Research. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  7. ^ "Telegraph Hill". The Claygater. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  8. ^ Proto, Laura (12 August 2015). "Surrey home of murdered Al-Hilli family put up for sale". www.standard.co.uk. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  9. ^ "Battle lines drawn in sewer inquiry" Paul McManus, Get Surrey, the website of the Surrey Advertiser and Surrey Herald, 12 November 2002
  10. ^ Grid Reference Finder distance tools
  11. ^ a b Planning pages Archived 13 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine Claygate Parish Council. Retrieved 21 November 2013
  12. ^ Areas covered Living Within. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  13. ^ "Trains to Claygate station". South Western Railway. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  14. ^ "11: Guildford via Effingham Junction to London Waterloo". South Western Railway. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  15. ^ "Is Elmbridge Britain's Beverly Hills?". The Independent. 21 January 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  16. ^ Electoral Divisions Archived 2 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine Surrey County Council. Retrieved 6 November 2013
  17. ^ a b Your local councillors Archived 10 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine Elmbridge Borough Council . Retrieved 20 November 2013
  18. ^ Your Councillor Surrey County Council. Retrieved 6 November 2013

10. Your Councillors by Ward Elmbridge Borough Council *[1] Retrieved 2 September 2016

  • Malcolm W H Peebles The Claygate Book: a History of a Surrey Village (1983) and Millennium edition (1999)
  • Claygate Village Residents Association Claygate Village: Enquire Within (1983)
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Claygate.


Next station upwards Admiralty Semaphore line 1822 Next station downwards
Coombe Warren  Cooper's Hill
(Telegraph Hill) 		Chatley Heath 
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