Cobham, Surrey
From Free net encyclopedia
Template:Infobox England place Cobham is a small town in Surrey, England, about 20 miles south-west of London. And 5 miles north of Leatherhead. To the north of the town is the A3 and Hersham Village.
Contents |
History
Cobham is an ancient settlement whose origins can be traced back through Roman times to the Iron Age. At the time of the Domesday Book (1086) it was known as Coveham or Covenham which is thought to mean a settlement in the curve of a river.
The main attraction for visitors to Cobham is Painshill Park which is considered to be amongst the finest eighteenth century landscape gardens. It is one of the great gardens of Europe and can be visited on open days during the week.
The Town
It has always had a quiet village atmosphere, partly due to the picturesque riverbank with weeping willows, swans & water mill. However, it is partially losing its unique atmosphere to urbanisation. Old unique local business, such as the furniture shop on Anyards Rd, are being converted into high density flats, although the town still retains a charming and exclusive atmosphere. The town has one of the highest incomes per capita in the United Kingdom, and the Cobham postcode was recently ranked among the top ten most expensive places to live in the country.
The River Mole, a tributary of the Thames, almost encircles Cobham and provides a distinctly rural appearance in some places. The river provides a setting for Cobham's best-known landmark which is the red brick water mill which dates from the early 19th century and which stands on the site of earlier mills dating back to the middle ages. Recently restored to full working order, the mill is probably unique in Surrey and is open to the public on certain days of the month.
Cobham has a particularly high international population due to the presence of the ACS Cobham International school and a branch of the (Dutch) Rijnlands Lyceum within Reeds School.
Education
- St Andrew's Primary School,
- Feltonfleet,
- Notre Dame
- ACS Cobham International, The American Community Schools.
- Reeds School
- Glenesk.
Local Area
On the outskirts of Cobham is Stoke d'Abernon, whose name is taken from a family who settled here at time of the Norman conquest in 1066. Its ancient parish church contains some of the oldest monumental brasses in the country. Nowadays the Manor House houses Parkside School.
Nearby is the world-famous Yehudi Menuhin School.
RHS Garden, Wisley is close by, it is one of the three most visited paid gardens in the United Kingdom alongside Kew Gardens and Alnwick Garden. It is one of four public gardens run by the Society.
In 2005 the English Premiership football club Chelsea FC moved their training to Stoke D'Abernon on the outskirts of Cobham. As a result, house prices in Cobham have skyrocketed. Sightings of players around town are not uncommon.
Cobham is known for the movement called the Diggers. Other nearby areas include Ockham Common and Chatley Heath, which has one of the last remaining semaphore towers.
The local newspaper is the Cobham News & Mail).
Transport
Rail
It has its own railway station, named "Cobham and Stoke D'Abernon". This is due to the fact its built in Stoke D'Abernon, because Cobham was located sufficiently too far north for the line to be effectively routed to it when constructed at the end of the 19th Century, and to avoid passing through Wisley Gardens.
Road
To the north of the town is the A3, London to Portsmouth Road. Which in turn is joined with the M25 motorway north-west of Cobham.
External links
- Cobham Park, a personal page about Cobham Park