Reigate
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Population: | 21,820 |
| Ordnance Survey | |
| OS grid reference: | TQ253503 |
| Administration | |
| District: | Reigate and Banstead |
| Shire county: | Surrey |
| Region: | South East England |
| Country: | England |
| Other | |
| Ceremonial county: | Surrey |
| Historic county: | Surrey |
| Services | |
| Police force: | Surrey Police |
| Post office and telephone | |
| Post town: | Reigate |
| Postal district: | RH2 |
| Dialling code: | 01737 |
| Politics | |
| UK Parliament: | Reigate |
| European Parliament: | South East England |
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Reigate is a historic market town in Surrey, England at the foot of the North Downs. It is one of the main constituents of the Borough of Reigate and Banstead.
History
Reigate was originally called Cherchefelle, which means ‘church field’ and is mentioned in the Domesday Book.
William I granted the land around Reigate to one of his supporters, William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey, who was created Earl of Surrey in 1088. It is believed that his son, William de Warenne, 2nd Earl of Surrey, ordered that Reigate Castle be built, though the de Warennes had their southern base in Lewes, Sussex, as well as Sandal Castle and Conisbrough Castle in Yorkshire and a keep on the Warrenne land at Mortemer in Normandy. Around 1150 the de Warennes ordered that a town be constructed below the castle. The new town, Reigate, replaced a nearby settlement known as Cherchefelle.
The name may derive from Roe-deer Gate, as the town was situated near to the entrance to the de Warenne's deer park, which is now Priory Park and Reigate Park. It is reputed that prior to the signing of the Magna Carta, the rebellious barons met in conference to hammer out the details of the document in the caves beneath the castle. The castle later fell into decay and was demolished in 1648 though the grounds and the caves remain as a public garden.
Grid reference: TQ253503
During the 13th century the Reigate Priory was founded for regular Canons of the Order of St Augustine. After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1535 the estate was granted by Henry VIII to William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham, who converted the Priory into a residence. The Effingham branch of the Howard family, including the Earl of Nottingham who as Lord High Admiral commanded the force which defeated the Spanish Armada, lived there for about 140 years. The building is now used as a school.
Famous residents
- Ventriloquist Ray Alan (and Lord Charles)
- Charlie, a parrot whose owner claims was taught by Sir Winston Churchill to curse Adolf Hitler; she is believed to be the oldest bird in the United Kingdom.
- DJ Fatboy Slim, real name Norman Cook, was born in Reigate.
- Ballet dancer Dame Margot Fonteyn was born here.
- The prolific photographer Francis Frith lived here.
- Actress Kate Maberly, star of the 1993 feature film The Secret Garden, was born here.
- The visionary English artist Samuel Palmer (1805-1881) is buried in a Reigate churchyard, having lived in Reigate from about 1860-1862.
Education
- Reigate Grammar School
- Reigate College
