Epsom Clocktower

Epsom

A perfect destination to explore the history and heritage of this gorgeous part of Surrey.

Visit Epsom

Epsom is, quite literally, on the doorstep of London and acts as a gateway to the Surrey Hills National Landscape. It’s where the green space of the Surrey Hills starts.

It’s a fantastic base for exploring Surrey, it's only a short train ride from three London mainline stations, a few minutes' drive from the M25 and found on the national cycle path network. Epsom is super accessible.

Epsom was among the UK’s very first spa towns and the birthplace of one of the world’s oldest health and well-being brands, Epsom Salts, in the 1600s.

The discovery of Epsom Salts drew huge crowds of fashionable society and royalty to the town, Samuel Pepys, Nell Gwynne, Daniel Defoe were just some of the visitors who documented their stays on Epsom. These wealthy fashionable visitors were one of the reasons  horse racing was established on Epsom Downs. Today, Epsom remains home to Britain's richest flat horse race and the most prestigious of the five Classics, the Epsom Derby, every June.

The emergence of Epsom as a fashionable destination and its wealthy visitors meant that – impressive buildings popped up round every corner, The Assembly Rooms, today a busy branch of Spoons is just one of the beautiful heritage buildings you will see on a stroll about the town.

For those fascinated by local history, there are various excellent online resources available to research the history and heritage of Epsom:

Start Exploring!

Epsom is a gateway to green open spaces, the world-famous Epsom Downs have breathtaking views of London in one direction and the Surrey Hills in the other. Langley Vale Memorial Woods and Epsom Commons, the birthplace of Epsom salts, are tranquil, green spaces to recharge which is now a vast nature reserve.

Within a few miles of Epsom, you'll find Epsom Downs Racecourse, The Horton regional arts centre, Hobbledown Adventure Farm Park, Mayfield Lavender and Chessington World of Adventures.

London is a short train journey away, while international events such as the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon are just down the road. 

Surrey Hills destinations and beauty spots, such as Dorking, Box Hill, Leith Hill and Denbies Wine Estate, are accessible, too – it’s the perfect base to start from.

Town centre attractions

In Epsom, you'll find a fine choice of lovely pubs and restaurants and a spectacular number of historical buildings harking back to the spa town days. Take a stroll along South Street, one of Epsom’s oldest streets, it once linked The Wells, birthplace of Epsom Salts to the Town Centre. The restaurant Koza once had a Spa Town Well in its garden.

There's always plenty to do, with the Playhouse Theatre, Escape Rooms, Incursion Airsoft, twice weekly markets (Thursdays and Saturdays) and special arts and vintage fairs. Look out for the Hidden Histories Tours of Epsom’s Deep Shelter on Ashley Road – a chance to explore a huge underground WW2 bunker system.

Check the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) website to see if there is an exhibition to visit! Epsom is home to the Textiles and Fashion Campus, their exhibitions and  annual postgrad show are free to attend and showcase innovation and excellence in everything fashion and textile related.

 Just yards from Epsom railway station, you will find a large modern library and simulated golf centre in Epsom Square along with restaurants and a 6 screen Picturehouse cinema.

An Odeon cinema on Upper High Street too means there’s always a huge choice of films to see. A busy social scene of jazz club nights, quiz nights, choral performances and events makes Epsom a busy, vibrant place to visit.

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Epsom News

Eating out in Epsom

Whether you're looking for a quick bite while out and about, inspiration for a date night or a cosy pub to spend a relaxing afternoon, you can travel the world via Epsom's restaurants with most cuisines and tastes catered for. 

There's plenty of reasons to make a journey to Epsom, too, with the likes of Epsom Social, Surrey's first food hall; the authentic Mediterranean and Turkish restaurant, Cappadocia; and the highly-rated fusion restaurant, rocksalt.

Find the best Epsom restaurants on the Go Epsom website business directory

Health, beauty & well-being

As a former spa town and the birthplace of Epsom Salts, Epsom still has a strong health, beauty and well-being sector with spas, clinics, treatments and beauty salons. Whether you are looking for state of the art gyms, Reiki, skin treatment or any other beauty treatment, you'll find it in Epsom.

Find the best Epsom health, beauty and well-being businesses on the Go Epsom website business directory

Find out more about Epsom on the Go Epsom website