Plaque, Epsom Well

Image: © Ian Capper Taken: 7 Sep 2018

Commemorative plaques at the site of the original Epsom Well (see Image). The top one reads: "The Well and adjoining land was donated to the public by H K Roll and F E Roll in 1946." The lower one (a continuation of the history in Image) reads: "The first Epsom Spa Well. By shortly after 1700 the Lord of the manor had taken away common land status from an area about 450 yards in diameter around the well and had had buildings erected for patrons including a coffee house, gaming rooms and shops for sweetmeats and fruit. The circular area formed around the well has persisted and can be recognised in the layout of the present houses. The old well on the common went out of general use following the opening of a new well nearer the centre of Epsom in 1707. The buildings were finally demolished when Oldwells Farm was erected in the early 1800s. This in turn was demolished in the late 1800s. In Victorian times the well was capped with a small box-like well-head. This remained until the present well-head was constructed following a suggestion by local historian Maurice Exwood that this would be an appropriate way in which to mark the golden jubilee in 1987 of Epsom and Ewell becoming a Borough. The design was based on ideas put forward by local schools and colleges. The opening ceremony was performed by Councillors Pam Ballard and Michael Staples on 25 June 1989." For wider view see Image

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