Places
of Interest
Reigate holds some interesting heritages. The Priory was constructed
in the thirteenth century, went through many changes and was converted to a
mansion in Tudor times. The Castle Grounds seen in the picture below held a
castle built around 1088 until it lay in disrepair during the late 1600's and
the famous excavated ‘Reigate stone’ was used in notable buildings
such as Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and Hampton Court.
Castle Grounds Gateway Built From Reigate Stone in 1770
Caves
Caves run all over/under the town and the Barons Caves under the Castle Grounds
makes an interesting visit for all ages. Just beware of the dinosaur in the
sand mine gallery (1st picture below). Interesting carvings and graffiti can be seen, with the oldest
inscriptions at the end wall (2nd pictured below) showing 1644 and 1677 and ‘The
Mods’ in colourful spray paint. Culture.
.
Check
out Martin Snow's excellent pictures of the Reigate caves »
A few shards of
Roman pottery has been found around the town, a Skirmish during the Civil War
happened on Reigate Heath, a bomb cratered Colley Hill but apart from this,
Reigate History holds no spectacular place in the record books.
Granted, the Earl of Nottingham, the Lord Admiral responsible for leading the
defeat of the Spanish Armada, lived in the Reigate Priory. Malcolm and Donald
Campbell lived round the area although it didn’t turn either of them or
the Earl into naval and record breaking geniuses by sailing on the Priory pond.
Priory Park
Priory Park, claimed as
"Reigate's Jewel in the community," never seems to be utilised to
its full potential. The park is a fair size and contains nice walks around the
pond and up along the top of the park with picturesque views of the North Downs.
It’s a great place to have picnics and to just relax on sunny days. The
Priory building holds a museum of local artefacts and nearby are tennis courts,
a half pipe (well quarter pipe) and a nice play area for kids. Big musical events
and firework displays occur occasionally throughout the year. Acker Bilk played
there once - whooooo??
Priory Pond & Eqyptian Geese found on the pond
A bid has been made for £5 million pounds from the Heritage Lottery Fund to revitalise Priory Park. Intended use of the fund will go towards more leisure facilities including an adventure playground, a water play area, a new children’s short-tennis area, a basketball area, a children’s cycle circuit and improved surfacing and entrances. The 17th century mural by Italian artist Antonio Verrio is intended to be restored at Reigate Priory School.
I discovered a recent addition to the pond by a flock (or gaggle??) of Eqyptian Geese that have made a temporary colony there. They don't take any flack from the swans there either...
Halfpipe and Tennis Courts, Priory Park
Reigate Hill provides excellent rambling. Walking along the top you get to Colley Hill with its amazing views of the town and looking towards Dorking. The picture below shows the Hill overlooking the town with a crater made by a bomb during the second world war. To the far left of the picture, an old drinking fountain can be found which was vandalised many years ago and has since changed its structure. The ceiling contains a colourful mosaic of the universe.
Leisure
and Recreation
Reigate Heath contains an eighteen-hole golf course and is a great place for
walks with great views of the Downs. It seems detached from the town as the
flora and fauna is so different from anywhere in the area in particular its
heather and gorse. The decommissioned windmill on the heath is now used as a
tiny chapel for small people.
Reigate Heath
Reigate swimming baths are long gone with its cold feel and everything painted silver. Rusty spray with his graffiti marking the ruins in the 80’s until the Watson and Wyatt building and the statue dedicated to the famous Reigate ballet dancer Margot Fontaine (whhoooo??) jumped in its grave. The cedar trees outside the Watson and Wyatt building are a sight to see. Unfortunately the cedar opposite, outside Cedar House has been felled due to a heavy branch falling off it, narrowly missing a pensioners car. The Beech tree next to it has seen better days as well.
There are a few clubs going around, The Fitness Zone in Bell Street providing a gym and health suite facilities.
A statue dedicated to one of Reigate's most famous resident, Margot Fonteyn, has been placed outside the Watson and Wyatt building along with it's impressive cedar trees. They are all worth a visit alone.
St Mary’s church (have you visited our Reigate and Redhill church guide?) is Reigate’s jewel in its crown. Pillars just as you come into the church on the walls of the tower are dated 1180; there you go, a bit of history. Victims of the plague are buried here and Chart Lane narrows around it as not to disturb the bodies laid in the graveyard. Blame them when you are in a service and cars disturb you as they annoyingly beep as they creep round the corner.
oOo
Made up your mind?? Yep, Reigate is nice, Reigate don’t come cheap and Reigate ain’t changing for a long time yet to come. If you were born here and can afford to own your own home, you can claim the honourable post-mark of RH2 on your foreheads and feel blessèd.
But hey, go for a night out in
Redhill once in your lives, you hear?
