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Coordinates: 51°23′38″N 0°18′25″W / 51.394°N 0.307°W / 51.394; -0.307
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{{Short description|Suburb of London}}
{{Short description|Neighbourhood in Kingston upon Thames, London}}
{{other uses}}
{{For|the locality in the Barcaldine Region, Queensland, Australia|Surbiton, Queensland}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
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==Etymology==
==Etymology==
Though Surbiton only received its current name in 1869, the name is attested as ''Suberton'' in 1179, ''Surbeton'' in 1263, ''Surpeton'' in 1486, and finally ''Surbiton'' 1597.<ref name=Etymology>{{cite web |url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199566785.001.0001/acref-9780199566785-e-1403 |publisher=Oxford Reference |access-date=7 February 2018 |title=Surbiton |quote=Suberton 1179, Surbeton 1263, Surpeton 1486, Surbiton 1597, that is 'the southern grange or outlying farm', from Old English su ̄th and bere-tu ̄n, so called in relation to Norbiton; both were granges of the royal manor of Kingston.}}</ref> ''Sūth Bere-tūn'' means "southern grange" or "outlying farm" in [[Old English]], as opposed to nearby [[Norbiton]]; both Norbiton and Surbiton were possessions of the royal manor of Kingston.<ref name=Etymology />
Though Surbiton only received its current name in 1869, the name is attested as ''Suberton'' in 1179, ''Surbeton'' in 1263, ''Surpeton'' in 1486, and finally ''Surbiton'' 1597.<ref name=Etymology>{{cite book |url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199566785.001.0001/acref-9780199566785-e-1403 |publisher=Oxford Reference |access-date=7 February 2018 |title=Surbiton |isbn=978-0-19-956678-5 |quote=Suberton 1179, Surbeton 1263, Surpeton 1486, Surbiton 1597, that is 'the southern grange or outlying farm', from Old English su ̄th and bere-tu ̄n, so called in relation to Norbiton; both were granges of the royal manor of Kingston.}}</ref> ''Sūth Bere-tūn'' means "southern grange" or "outlying farm" in [[Old English]], as opposed to nearby [[Norbiton]]; both Norbiton and Surbiton were possessions of the royal manor of Kingston.<ref name=Etymology />


==History==
==History==
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{{See also|Municipal Borough of Surbiton}}
{{See also|Municipal Borough of Surbiton}}
[[file:Sessions House, Surbiton.jpg|thumb|[[Sessions House, Surbiton|Sessions House]] housed the [[Municipal Borough of Surbiton]] before Surbiton became part of [[Greater London]] in 1965.]]
[[file:Sessions House, Surbiton.jpg|thumb|[[Sessions House, Surbiton|Sessions House]] housed the [[Municipal Borough of Surbiton]] before Surbiton became part of [[Greater London]] in 1965.]]
[[file:Surbiton London UK blank ward map.svg|thumb|Location map of Surbiton within the [[Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames]] and [[Greater London]].]]
[[file:Surbiton London UK blank ward map.svg|thumb|Location map of Surbiton within the [[Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames]] and [[Greater London]]]]


===National politics===
===National politics===
{{See also|Kingston and Surbiton}}
{{See also|Kingston and Surbiton}}
Surbiton falls within the [[List of United Kingdom Parliament constituencies|UK parliamentary constituency]] of [[Kingston and Surbiton]], which is represented in the [[House of Commons]] by [[Ed Davey|Sir Ed Davey]], a [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] who served as [[Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change]] during the [[Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition]]. Davey also represented the constituency between [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997]] and [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015]], having been ousted for a short period of time by [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] [[James Berry (politician)|James Berry]]. In the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]], Davey went on to defeat Berry by 45% to 38%.<ref name="Election results">{{cite web|url=https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/find-information-by-subject/elections-and-referendums/past-elections-and-referendums/uk-general-elections/2017-uk-general-election-results |title=2017 UK general election results |publisher=The Electoral Commission |access-date=7 February 2018}}</ref> Both Davey's and Berry's offices were located in Surbiton's [[Berrylands]] ward.
Surbiton falls within the [[List of United Kingdom Parliament constituencies|UK parliamentary constituency]] of [[Kingston and Surbiton]], which is represented in the [[House of Commons]] by [[Ed Davey|Sir Ed Davey]], currently the leader of the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] who served as [[Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change]] during the [[Cameron–Clegg coalition|Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition]]. Davey also represented the constituency between [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997]] and [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015]], having been ousted for a short period of time by [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] [[James Berry (politician)|James Berry]]. In the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]], Davey went on to defeat Berry by 45% to 38%.<ref name="Election results">{{cite web|url=https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/find-information-by-subject/elections-and-referendums/past-elections-and-referendums/uk-general-elections/2017-uk-general-election-results |title=2017 UK general election results |publisher=The Electoral Commission |access-date=7 February 2018}}</ref> Both Davey's and Berry's offices were located in Surbiton's [[Berrylands]] ward.


In the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum]], Kingston and Surbiton voted to remain a member of the [[European Union]] by 61.7% of the local vote.<ref name="EU ref">{{cite web|url=https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/find-information-by-subject/elections-and-referendums/past-elections-and-referendums/eu-referendum/electorate-and-count-information |title=EU referendum results |publisher=The Electoral Commission |access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref>
In the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum]], Kingston and Surbiton voted to remain a member of the [[European Union]] by 61.7% of the local vote.<ref name="EU ref">{{cite web|url=https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/find-information-by-subject/elections-and-referendums/past-elections-and-referendums/eu-referendum/electorate-and-count-information |title=EU referendum results |publisher=The Electoral Commission |access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref>
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===London politics===
===London politics===
{{See also|South West (London Assembly constituency)}}
{{See also|South West (London Assembly constituency)}}
Surbiton is represented in the [[London Assembly]] by [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] [[Tony Arbour]], as part of Greater London's [[South West (London Assembly constituency)|South West]] constituency.
Surbiton is represented in the [[London Assembly]] by [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] politician [[Gareth Roberts (politician)|Gareth Roberts]], as part of Greater London's [[South West (London Assembly constituency)|South West]] constituency.


===Local councillors===
===Local councillors===
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{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"
|+ Councillors from Surbiton's four [[Kingston upon Thames London Borough Council|Kingston Council]] wards<ref name="2018 election results">{{cite web|url=https://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/mgElectionResults.aspx?ID=17&RPID=15829896 |title=Local Elections - Thursday 3 May 2018 |publisher=Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames |access-date=4 May 2018}}</ref>
|+ Councillors from Surbiton's four [[Kingston upon Thames London Borough Council|Kingston Council]] wards<ref name="2018 election results">{{cite web|url=https://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/mgElectionResults.aspx?ID=17&RPID=15829896 |title=Local Elections - Thursday 3 May 2018 |date=3 May 2018 |publisher=Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames |access-date=4 May 2018}}</ref>
|-
|-
!Party
!Party
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==Transport==
==Transport==
[[File:Arriva Guildford & West Surrey 3976 GN07 AVR.JPG|thumb|A London double-decker bus and an Abellio Surrey bus in Surbiton.]]
[[File:Arriva Guildford & West Surrey 3976 GN07 AVR.JPG|thumb|A London double-decker bus and an Abellio Surrey bus in Surbiton]]
Surbiton is served by a number of regular bus services. [[Transport for London]] bus routes [[London Buses route 71|71]], [[London Buses route 281|281]], [[London Buses route 406|406]], [[London Buses route 418|418]], [[London Buses route 465|465]], [[London Buses route K1|K1]], [[London Buses route K2|K2]], [[London Buses route K3|K3]], and [[London Buses route K4|K4]], as well as [[Hallmark Connections]] route 458, [[Reptons Coaches]] route 513, [[Falcon Coaches]] routes 514 and 515, and [[Stagecoach South]] route 715 all serve the area. These provide links to [[Chessington]], [[Kingston upon Thames|Kingston town centre]], [[Twickenham]], [[Hounslow]], [[Epsom]], [[Leatherhead]], [[Dorking]], [[Cobham, Surrey|Cobham]], [[Staines]], [[Weybridge]] and [[Guildford]].
Surbiton is served by a number of regular bus services. [[Transport for London]] bus routes [[London Buses route 71|71]], [[London Buses route 281|281]], [[London Buses route 406|406]], [[London Buses route 418|418]], [[London Buses route 465|465]], [[London Buses route K1|K1]], [[London Buses route K2|K2]], [[London Buses route K3|K3]], and [[London Buses route K4|K4]], as well as [[Hallmark Connections]] route 458, [[Reptons Coaches]] route 513, [[Falcon Coaches]] routes 514, 515 and 715 all serve the area. These provide links to [[Chessington]], [[Kingston upon Thames|Kingston town centre]], [[Twickenham]], [[Hounslow]], [[Epsom]], [[Leatherhead]], [[Dorking]], [[Cobham, Surrey|Cobham]], [[Staines]], [[Weybridge]] and [[Guildford]].


Surbiton is also close to two of London's largest airports: [[Heathrow Airport|Heathrow]] and [[Gatwick Airport|Gatwick]].
Surbiton is also close to two of London's largest airports: [[Heathrow Airport|Heathrow]] and [[Gatwick Airport|Gatwick]].
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Railways have served the town since it was founded. [[Surbiton railway station|Surbiton]] and [[Berrylands railway station|Berrylands]] stations are both served by [[South Western Railway (train operating company)|South Western Railway]] services. It provides rail links to [[London Waterloo railway station|London Waterloo]], Surrey and Hampshire.
Railways have served the town since it was founded. [[Surbiton railway station|Surbiton]] and [[Berrylands railway station|Berrylands]] stations are both served by [[South Western Railway (train operating company)|South Western Railway]] services. It provides rail links to [[London Waterloo railway station|London Waterloo]], Surrey and Hampshire.


If approval is granted for the project, Surbiton will be connected with the [[London Underground]] system via [[Crossrail 2]]. It is expected that the project will relieve pressure on both Surbiton and Berrylands stations.<ref name=Crossrail>{{cite web |url=https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/crossrail2autumn2015consultation.pdf |title=Crossrail 2 Consultation Analysis |publisher=Steer Davies Gleave / [[Transport for London]] |website=www.consultations.tfl.gov.uk |access-date=7 February 2018}}</ref>
If approval is granted for the project, Surbiton will be connected with the [[London Underground]] system via [[Crossrail 2]]. It is expected that the project will relieve pressure on both Surbiton and Berrylands stations.<ref name=Crossrail>{{cite web |url=https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/crossrail2autumn2015consultation.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603090229/https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/crossrail2autumn2015consultation.pdf |archive-date=2016-06-03 |url-status=live |title=Crossrail 2 Consultation Analysis |publisher=Steer Davies Gleave / [[Transport for London]] |website=www.consultations.tfl.gov.uk |access-date=7 February 2018}}</ref>


Surbiton lacks major [[motorway]]s, although the [[A3 road]] cuts through Berrylands ward at Tolworth Underpass. Parts of the A307 that run along the [[River Thames]], Portsmouth Road, have become part of the [[List of cycle routes in London|London cycle routes]] network.
Surbiton lacks major [[motorway]]s, although the [[A3 road]] cuts through Berrylands ward at Tolworth Underpass. Parts of the A307 that run along the [[River Thames]], Portsmouth Road, have become part of the [[List of cycle routes in London|London cycle routes]] network.
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==Demographics==
==Demographics==
===Religion===
===Religion===
Until the early 19th century, Surbiton, like [[Norbiton]], lay in the parish of [[All Saints Church, Kingston upon Thames|All Saints, Kingston upon Thames]]. As a result, Surbiton's two town centre [[parish church]]es, [[St Mark's Church, Surbiton|Saint Mark's]] and [[St Andrew's Church, Surbiton|Saint Andrew's]], date back only to the [[Victorian era]].<ref>{{cite book|last=McCormack|first=Anne|title=Kingston upon Thames: A Pictorial History|publisher=Phillimore|date=1989|ISBN=9780850337167}}</ref>
Until the early 19th century, Surbiton, like [[Norbiton]], lay in the parish of [[All Saints Church, Kingston upon Thames|All Saints, Kingston upon Thames]]. As a result, Surbiton's two town centre [[parish church]]es, [[St Mark's Church, Surbiton|Saint Mark's]] and [[St Andrew's Church, Surbiton|Saint Andrew's]], date back only to the [[Victorian era]].<ref>{{cite book|last=McCormack|first=Anne|title=Kingston upon Thames: A Pictorial History|publisher=Phillimore|date=1989|isbn=9780850337167}}</ref>
[[File:St Matthew's Avenue - geograph.org.uk - 1458028.jpg|thumb|St Matthew's, Surbiton]]
[[File:St Matthew's Avenue - geograph.org.uk - 1458028.jpg|thumb|St Matthew's, Surbiton]]
There are two further Anglican parish churches in south Surbiton, Christ Church and Saint Matthew's, both also Victorian.
There are two further Anglican parish churches in south Surbiton, Christ Church and Saint Matthew's, both also Victorian.


Christ Church was built in 1862–63, by Charles Lock Luck and lengthened in 1866. The chancel aisles were added in 1864, and 1871. It has no tower, and is built of red brick with stone dressings with some black brick [[voussoir]]s. The east stained glass window was done by [[Clayton and Bell]], the central stained glass window by [[Edward Burne-Jones|Burne-Jones]], while the other stained glass was done by [[Lavers, Barraud and Westlake]].<ref>{{National Heritage List for England |num=1080070|desc=Christ Church|access-date=6 January 2017}}</ref>
Christ Church was built in 1862–63, by Charles Lock Luck and lengthened in 1866. The chancel aisles were added in 1864, and 1871. It has no tower, and is built of red brick with stone dressings with some black brick [[voussoir]]s. The east stained-glass window was done by [[Clayton and Bell]], the central stained-glass window by [[Edward Burne-Jones|Burne-Jones]], while the other stained glass was done by [[Lavers, Barraud and Westlake]].<ref>{{National Heritage List for England |num=1080070|desc=Christ Church|access-date=6 January 2017}}</ref>


Saint Matthew's was completed in 1875, having taken less than 2 years to build. The church and the original vicarage were paid for by one man, William Matthew Coulthurst, who was the senior partner of [[Coutts Bank]]. On the outside of the east end of the church, there is a stone plaque recording this and the fact that it was partly built in memory of Hannah Mabella Coulthurst, the dead sister of William Matthew Coulthurst. Built into the wall behind the plaque, there is a photograph of Hannah, a copy of 'The Times' newspaper of the day and a letter from William Coulthurst stipulating that the church should remain in the evangelical tradition. The church and [[vicarage]] cost £26,500. The old vicarage was pulled down in 1939 and a subsequent one was built on the same plot. In 2012, work started on a new vicarage on part of the plot and this was completed in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tolworthtm.org/new-to-st-matthews/history/|title=St Matthew's Church - History|publisher=St Matthew's Church|access-date=6 January 2017}}</ref>
Saint Matthew's was completed in 1875, having taken less than 2 years to build. The church and the original vicarage were paid for by one man, William Matthew Coulthurst, who was the senior partner of [[Coutts Bank]]. On the outside of the east end of the church, there is a stone plaque recording this and the fact that it was partly built in memory of Hannah Mabella Coulthurst, the dead sister of William Matthew Coulthurst. Built into the wall behind the plaque, there is a photograph of Hannah, a copy of 'The Times' newspaper of the day and a letter from William Coulthurst stipulating that the church should remain in the evangelical tradition. The church and [[vicarage]] cost £26,500. The old vicarage was pulled down in 1939 and a subsequent one was built on the same plot. In 2012, work started on a new vicarage on part of the plot and this was completed in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tolworthtm.org/new-to-st-matthews/history/|title=St Matthew's Church - History|publisher=St Matthew's Church|access-date=6 January 2017}}</ref> The East stained-glass window by [[Henry Holiday]] was destroyed by a [[V-1 flying bomb]] on 23 June 1944. They were replaced in 1953 with windows by [[Hugh Ray Easton|Hugh Easton]], with his maker's mark of a weather vane signed H Easton with a cockerel on the top. The Clayton memorial triptych window was installed in 1921, designed by [[Louis Davis (painter)|Louis Davis]], 'the last of the [[Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood|Pre-Raphaelites]]', and made by Thomas Cowall (1870-1949) for [[James Powell and Sons]]. The Caporn memorial window was installed in 1970 and designed by [[W T Carter Shapland]] who had also designed the West window at [[St Mark's Church, Surbiton|St Mark's]]. Some of the original windows by Powell & Sons survive, known as Quarry windows because they are made up of pre-stamped diamond-shaped glass known as 'Quarries'.<ref>St Matthew's Church leaflet on the stained-glass windows</ref>


Other churches in Surbiton include Surbiton Hill Methodist Church on Ewell Road, opened in 1882,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.surbitonhillmethodist.co.uk/352489650249.htm|title=Surbiton Hill Methodist Church - History|publisher=St Matthew's Church|access-date=29 May 2020}}</ref> and the Roman Catholic church of [[St Raphael's Church, Surbiton|Saint Raphael's]], completed in 1848 and located to the north of Surbiton, in the Kingston upon Thames postal district.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1080045|desc=Church of St Raphael|access-date=29 May 2020}}</ref>
Other churches in Surbiton include Surbiton Hill Methodist Church on Ewell Road, opened in 1882,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.surbitonhillmethodist.co.uk/352489650249.htm|title=Surbiton Hill Methodist Church - History|publisher=St Matthew's Church|access-date=29 May 2020}}</ref> and the Roman Catholic church of [[St Raphael's Church, Surbiton|Saint Raphael's]], completed in 1848 and located to the north of Surbiton, in the Kingston upon Thames postal district.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1080045|desc=Church of St Raphael|access-date=29 May 2020}}</ref>
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[[File:The clock tower Surbiton.jpg|thumb|left|The clock tower, Surbiton, built to celebrate the Coronation of King Edward VII, 1902]]
[[File:The clock tower Surbiton.jpg|thumb|left|The clock tower, Surbiton, built to celebrate the Coronation of King Edward VII, 1902]]


The Pre-Raphaelite painters [[John Everett Millais]] (1829–1896) and [[William Holman Hunt]] (1827–1910) came to Surbiton in 1851, 26 years before [[Richard Jefferies]] (1848–1887). Millais used the [[Hogsmill River]], in Six Acre Meadow, [[Tolworth]], as the background for his painting ''[[Ophelia (painting)|Ophelia]]''.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} Holman Hunt used the fields just south of this spot as the background to ''[[The Hireling Shepherd]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manchestergalleries.org/the-collections/search-the-collection/display.php?EMUSESSID=1828ea76fa2d8c31480c6725ca3ed106&irn=195 |title=Collections |publisher=Manchester Art Gallery |website=Manchestergalleries.org |access-date=14 July 2017}}</ref>
The Pre-Raphaelite painters [[John Everett Millais]] (1829–1896) and [[William Holman Hunt]] (1827–1910) came to Surbiton in 1851, 26 years before [[Richard Jefferies]] (1848–1887). Millais used the [[Hogsmill River]], in Six Acre Meadow, [[Tolworth]], as the background for his painting ''[[Ophelia (painting)|Ophelia]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=KoZola |date=2014-04-21 |title=Site of John Everett Millais' Ophelia as it is now on Hogsmill River Old Malden |url=https://www.kingstononline.co.uk/ophelia-john-everett-millais-painted-hogsmill-river-1851/ |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=Kingston Online guide to Kingston upon Thames |language=en-GB}}</ref> Holman Hunt used the fields just south of this spot as the background to ''[[The Hireling Shepherd]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manchestergalleries.org/the-collections/search-the-collection/display.php?EMUSESSID=1828ea76fa2d8c31480c6725ca3ed106&irn=195 |title=Collections |publisher=Manchester Art Gallery |website=Manchestergalleries.org |access-date=14 July 2017}}</ref>


In the mid-1870s the novelist [[Thomas Hardy]] (1840–1928) lived in a house called 'St. David's Villa' in Hook Road, Surbiton for a year after his marriage to [[Emma Gifford]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://maproom.net/story-thomas-hardy-surbiton/|title=The surprising story of Thomas Hardy in Surbiton|date=2016-10-30|website=Maproom|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-06-18}}</ref> [[H.G.Wells]], in his comic novel [[The Wheels of Chance]], describes the cycle collision of 'Mr Hoopdriver' and a 'Young Lady in Grey'; the young lady approaching 'along an affluent from the villas of Surbiton'. The writer [[Enid Blyton]] was governess to a Surbiton family for four years from 1920, at a house called 'Southernhay', also on the Hook Road.<ref>{{citation|title=Chronology|url=http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/chronology.php|access-date=10 February 2012|author=The Enid Blyton Society}}</ref> [[C. H. Middleton]] (1886–1945), who broadcast on gardening during the [[Second World War]], lived in Surbiton, where he died suddenly outside his home.<ref>Daniel Smith (2011) ''The Spade as Mighty as the Sword''</ref> The artist who brought [[Rupert the Bear]] to life for a whole generation, [[Alfred Bestall]], sketched out his cartoons from his home in Cranes Park, Surbiton Hill.
In the mid-1870s the novelist [[Thomas Hardy]] (1840–1928) lived in a house called 'St. David's Villa' in Hook Road, Surbiton for a year after his marriage to [[Emma Gifford]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://maproom.net/story-thomas-hardy-surbiton/|title=The surprising story of Thomas Hardy in Surbiton|date=2016-10-30|website=Maproom|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-06-18}}</ref> [[H.G.Wells]], in his comic novel [[The Wheels of Chance]], describes the cycle collision of 'Mr Hoopdriver' and a 'Young Lady in Grey'; the young lady approaching 'along an affluent from the villas of Surbiton'. The writer [[Enid Blyton]] was governess to a Surbiton family for four years from 1920, at a house called 'Southernhay', also on the Hook Road.<ref>{{citation|title=Chronology|url=http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/chronology.php|access-date=10 February 2012|author=The Enid Blyton Society}}</ref> [[C. H. Middleton]] (1886–1945), who broadcast on gardening during the [[Second World War]], lived in Surbiton, where he died suddenly outside his home.<ref>Daniel Smith (2011) ''The Spade as Mighty as the Sword''</ref> The artist who brought [[Rupert the Bear]] to life for a whole generation, [[Alfred Bestall]], sketched out his cartoons from his home in Cranes Park, Surbiton Hill.


===In popular culture===
===In popular culture===
Surbiton was the setting of [[Keble Howard]]'s novel ''The Smiths of Surbiton'', published in 1906. The novel proved successful and led to two sequels, ''The Smiths of Valley View'' (1909) and ''The Smiths in War-Time'' (1918), both also set in Surbiton.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Kemp|last2=Mitchell|last3=Trotter|title=Edwardian Fiction, an Oxford Companion|year=1997|page=[https://archive.org/details/edwardianfiction0000kemp/page/197 197]|isbn=9780198117605|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/edwardianfiction0000kemp/page/197}}</ref>
Surbiton was the setting of [[Keble Howard]]'s novel ''The Smiths of Surbiton'', published in 1906. The novel proved successful and led to two sequels, ''The Smiths of Valley View'' (1909) and ''The Smiths in War-Time'' (1918), both also set in Surbiton.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Kemp|last2=Mitchell|last3=Trotter|title=Edwardian Fiction, an Oxford Companion|year=1997|page=[https://archive.org/details/edwardianfiction0000kemp/page/197 197]|publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780198117605|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/edwardianfiction0000kemp/page/197}}</ref>


A 1972 episode of ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]'' featured a mock documentary which investigated whether the residents of [[Hounslow]], another London area suburb, had long ago been descendants of the people of Surbiton "who had made the great trek north".<ref>''Monty Python's Flying Circus'', Episode No. 28, first aired 28 October 1972</ref>
A 1972 episode of ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]'' featured a mock documentary which investigated whether the residents of [[Hounslow]], another London area suburb, had long ago been descendants of the people of Surbiton "who had made the great trek north".<ref>''Monty Python's Flying Circus'', Episode No. 28, first aired 28 October 1972</ref>
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Surbiton is popularly remembered as an icon of [[suburbia]] in such British television programmes as ''[[The Good Life (1975 TV series)|The Good Life]]'' (starring [[Richard Briers]], [[Penelope Keith]], [[Paul Eddington]] and [[Felicity Kendal]]), though location filming was done in [[Northwood, London|Northwood]], North-West London,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1251547.stm The Good Life house for sale]</ref> and [[John Sessions]] and [[Phil Cornwell]]'s comedy series ''[[Stella Street]]''.
Surbiton is popularly remembered as an icon of [[suburbia]] in such British television programmes as ''[[The Good Life (1975 TV series)|The Good Life]]'' (starring [[Richard Briers]], [[Penelope Keith]], [[Paul Eddington]] and [[Felicity Kendal]]), though location filming was done in [[Northwood, London|Northwood]], North-West London,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1251547.stm The Good Life house for sale]</ref> and [[John Sessions]] and [[Phil Cornwell]]'s comedy series ''[[Stella Street]]''.


Surbiton station features in the 2009 film version of ''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]],'' with actors [[Daniel Radcliffe]] as [[Harry Potter (character)|Harry Potter]] and [[Michael Gambon]] as [[Albus Dumbledore]]. Filming took place in November 2007.<ref>[http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/1839369.harry_potter_film_on_location_in_surbiton/ thisislocallondon.co.uk]</ref> The station also appears in [[Agatha Christie's Poirot]]: ''The Adventure of the Clapham Cook'',<ref>{{Cite episode |title=The Adventure of the Clapham Cook |series=[[Agatha Christie's Poirot]] |network=[[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] |date=8 January 1989 |season=1 |number=1 |minutes=38:28}}</ref> a 1989 [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] adaptation of the short story by [[Agatha Christie]]. The station reflects the 1930s [[Art Deco]] style that often featued in locations used in the series.<ref>{{cite news|first=Finlo |last=Rohrer |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24914782|title=Goodbye to the splendid 1930s world of Poirot|work=[[BBC News Online#Magazine|BBC News Magazine]]|date=15 November 2013|access-date=30 January 2022}}</ref>
Surbiton station features in the 2009 film version of ''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]],'' with actors [[Daniel Radcliffe]] as [[Harry Potter (character)|Harry Potter]] and [[Michael Gambon]] as [[Albus Dumbledore]]. Filming took place in November 2007.<ref>[http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/1839369.harry_potter_film_on_location_in_surbiton/ thisislocallondon.co.uk]</ref> The station also appears in [[Agatha Christie's Poirot]]: ''The Adventure of the Clapham Cook'',<ref>{{Cite episode |title=The Adventure of the Clapham Cook |series=[[Agatha Christie's Poirot]] |network=[[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] |date=8 January 1989 |season=1 |number=1 |minutes=38:28}}</ref> a 1989 [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] adaptation of the short story by [[Agatha Christie]]. The station reflects the 1930s [[Art Deco]] style that often featured in locations used in the series.<ref>{{cite news|first=Finlo |last=Rohrer |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24914782|title=Goodbye to the splendid 1930s world of Poirot|work=[[BBC News Online#Magazine|BBC News Magazine]]|date=15 November 2013|access-date=30 January 2022}}</ref>


The guitarist and singer-songwriter [[Eric Clapton]] purchased one of his first guitars from a shop in Surbiton called ''Bells''; the shop has since closed.<ref>[http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/books-manuscripts/a-late-1950s-hofner-club-60-1525990-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=1525990&sid=775d57e0-50bb-4a69-95ac-6c7be096a7fb christies.com]</ref>
The guitarist and singer-songwriter [[Eric Clapton]] purchased one of his first guitars from a shop in Surbiton called ''Bells''; the shop has since closed.<ref>[http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/books-manuscripts/a-late-1950s-hofner-club-60-1525990-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=1525990&sid=775d57e0-50bb-4a69-95ac-6c7be096a7fb christies.com]</ref>
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===List of notable residents===
===List of notable residents===
{{more citations needed|section|date=December 2018}}
{{more citations needed|section|date=December 2018}}
*[[Thomas John Barnardo]] - Irish [[philanthropist]] and founder of [[Barnardo's]] charity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/international-autograph-auction-spain-s-l/catalogue-id-srint10004/lot-46b4684b-8e71-4b9c-91af-abe5012290ef |title=Letter from Thomas John Barnardo |publisher=The Saleroom |access-date=14 November 2020}}</ref>
*[[Marjorie Abbatt]] – toy-maker and businesswoman<ref>{{cite ODNB|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/49549|title=Abbatt, Marjorie}}</ref>
*[[Thomas John Barnardo]] – Irish [[philanthropist]] and founder of [[Barnardo's]] charity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/international-autograph-auction-spain-s-l/catalogue-id-srint10004/lot-46b4684b-8e71-4b9c-91af-abe5012290ef |title=Letter from Thomas John Barnardo |publisher=The Saleroom |access-date=14 November 2020}}</ref>
*[[Mike Batt]] - Singer, songwriter, musician, known for [[The Wombles (band)|The Wombles]]<ref name=":1" />
*[[Mike Batt]] – Singer, songwriter, musician, known for [[The Wombles (band)|The Wombles]]<ref name=":1" />
*[[George Best]] – a retired footballer and TV pundit before his death (having been born in Belfast and lived much of his life in Manchester)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Memories of George Best|url=https://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/890311.memories-of-george-best/|access-date=2020-11-16|website=Surrey Comet|language=en}}</ref>
*[[George Best]] – a retired footballer and TV pundit before his death (having been born in Belfast and lived much of his life in Manchester)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Memories of George Best|url=https://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/890311.memories-of-george-best/|access-date=2020-11-16|website=Surrey Comet|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Alfred Bestall]] – illustrator of the [[Rupert Bear|Rupert]] books<ref>{{cite web|url=http://openplaques.org/plaques/41 |title=Alfred Bestall blue plaque |publisher=Open Plaques |access-date=14 July 2017}}</ref>
* [[Alfred Bestall]] – illustrator of the [[Rupert Bear|Rupert]] books<ref>{{cite web|url=http://openplaques.org/plaques/41 |title=Alfred Bestall blue plaque |publisher=Open Plaques |access-date=14 July 2017}}</ref>
* [[Charlie Brooks]] – actress
* [[Charlie Brooks]] – actress
* William Bryant – co-founder of [[Bryant and May]]'s matches, lived with his wife at their property 'Oakenshaw' in Surbiton<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vam.ac.uk/moc/collections/mrs-bryants-pleasure/ |title=Mrs Bryant’s Pleasure|author=V&A Museum|publisher=V&A Museum|access-date=24 July 2019 }}</ref>
* William Bryant – co-founder of [[Bryant and May]]'s matches, lived with his wife at their property 'Oakenshaw' in Surbiton<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vam.ac.uk/moc/collections/mrs-bryants-pleasure/ |title=Mrs Bryant's Pleasure|author=V&A Museum|publisher=V&A Museum|access-date=24 July 2019 }}</ref>
* Wilberforce Bryant – chairman of [[Bryant and May]]'s matches, eldest son of co-founder William Bryant, lived at 'The Gables' (now [[Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College|Hillcroft College]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londongardensonline.org.uk/gardens-online-record.php?ID=KIN021 |title=Hillcroft College|publisher=London Parks and Gardens Trust|date=1 April 2012 |access-date=24 July 2019 }}</ref>
* Wilberforce Bryant – chairman of [[Bryant and May]]'s matches, eldest son of co-founder William Bryant, lived at 'The Gables' (now [[Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College|Hillcroft College]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londongardensonline.org.uk/gardens-online-record.php?ID=KIN021 |title=Hillcroft College|publisher=London Parks and Gardens Trust|date=1 April 2012 |access-date=24 July 2019 }}</ref>
* [[Charles Burney (Archdeacon of Kingston)|Charles Burney]] – Archdeacon of Kingston-upon-Thames from 1879 to 1904<ref>{{Cite web|title=Paul Frecker - Fine Photographs|url=http://paulfrecker.com/index.cfm?page=LibraryDetails&itemid=7405|access-date=2020-11-16|website=paulfrecker.com}}</ref>
* [[Charles Burney (Archdeacon of Kingston)|Charles Burney]] – Archdeacon of Kingston-upon-Thames from 1879 to 1904<ref>{{Cite web|title=Paul Frecker - Fine Photographs|url=http://paulfrecker.com/index.cfm?page=LibraryDetails&itemid=7405|access-date=2020-11-16|website=paulfrecker.com}}</ref>
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* [[David Essex]] – musician, singer-songwriter and actor, lived on Ditton Road for 16 years until 2002.<ref name=":1" />
* [[David Essex]] – musician, singer-songwriter and actor, lived on Ditton Road for 16 years until 2002.<ref name=":1" />
* [[John Foxx]] – musician and digital artist, former resident
* [[John Foxx]] – musician and digital artist, former resident
*[[Susan George (actress)|Susan George]] - actress<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ciaran Brown meets actress Susan George|url=http://www.ciaranbrown.com/george.html|website=www.ciaranbrown.com|access-date=2020-05-01}}</ref>
*[[Susan George (actress)|Susan George]] – actress<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ciaran Brown meets actress Susan George|url=http://www.ciaranbrown.com/george.html|website=www.ciaranbrown.com|access-date=2020-05-01}}</ref>
* [[Eileen Gray (cyclist)|Eileen Gray]] – cyclist<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/9672933.Cycling_pioneer_in_line_for_award/r/?ref=surbiton.com |title=Kingston women's cycling pioneer in line for award|author=Nazia Dewji|publisher=Surrey Comet|date=26 April 2012 |access-date=27 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223092516/http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/9672933.Cycling_pioneer_in_line_for_award/r/?ref=surbiton.com |archive-date=23 December 2014 }}</ref>
* [[Eileen Gray (cyclist)|Eileen Gray]] – cyclist<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/9672933.Cycling_pioneer_in_line_for_award/r/?ref=surbiton.com |title=Kingston women's cycling pioneer in line for award|author=Nazia Dewji|publisher=Surrey Comet|date=26 April 2012 |access-date=27 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223092516/http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/9672933.Cycling_pioneer_in_line_for_award/r/?ref=surbiton.com |archive-date=23 December 2014 }}</ref>
* Jennifer Guy – actress, ''[[Cavegirl]]''
* [[Thomas Hardy]] – author (while completing and for the publishing of ''[[Far from the Madding Crowd]]'')<ref name=":0" />
* [[Thomas Hardy]] – author (while completing and for the publishing of ''[[Far from the Madding Crowd]]'')<ref name=":0" />
* [[Roy Hodgson]] – football manager
* [[Roy Hodgson]] – football manager
Line 174: Line 174:
* [[Lukin Johnston]] – English-Canadian journalist who interviewed [[Adolf Hitler]] and subsequently disappeared
* [[Lukin Johnston]] – English-Canadian journalist who interviewed [[Adolf Hitler]] and subsequently disappeared
* [[John Keen (cyclist)|John Keen]] – racing cyclist
* [[John Keen (cyclist)|John Keen]] – racing cyclist
* [[Rob Lee]] - former councillor
* [[Rob Lee]] – former councillor
* [[Lara Lewington]] – television presenter, attended [[Surbiton High School]]<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2019-07-24|title=Surbiton High Pupils receive award at the National Awards Ceremony for WOHAA | publisher=Surbiton High School|url=https://www.surbitonhigh.com/news/2014-05-08/Surbiton-High-Pupils-receive-award-at-the-National-Awards-Ceremony-for-WOHAA|date=8 May 2014}}</ref>
* [[Lara Lewington]] – television presenter, attended [[Surbiton High School]]<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2019-07-24|title=Surbiton High Pupils receive award at the National Awards Ceremony for WOHAA | publisher=Surbiton High School|url=https://www.surbitonhigh.com/news/2014-05-08/Surbiton-High-Pupils-receive-award-at-the-National-Awards-Ceremony-for-WOHAA|date=8 May 2014}}</ref>
* [[Chris McCausland]] – comedian, ''[[Would I Lie to You? (game show)|Would I Lie To You?]]'', ''[[Live at the Apollo (TV series)|Live at the Apollo]]''
* [[Chris McCausland]] – comedian, ''[[Would I Lie to You? (British game show)|Would I Lie To You?]]'', ''[[Live at the Apollo (TV series)|Live at the Apollo]]''
* [[John McCririck]] – [[Horse racing|horse racing pundit]], ''[[Celebrity Big Brother 2005 (UK)|Celebrity Big Brother]]'' (2005), and ''[[Ultimate Big Brother]]'' (2010)
* [[John McCririck]] – [[Horse racing|horse racing pundit]], ''[[Celebrity Big Brother 2005 (UK)|Celebrity Big Brother]]'' (2005), and ''[[Ultimate Big Brother]]'' (2010)
* [[Debbie McGee]] – widow of late magician Paul Daniels, born in Kingston, lived in Tolworth, went to Our Lady Immaculate and [[Tolworth Girls' School]]s<ref name=":1" />
* [[Debbie McGee]] – widow of late magician Paul Daniels, born in Kingston, lived in Tolworth, went to Our Lady Immaculate and [[Tolworth Girls' School]]s<ref name=":1" />
Line 182: Line 182:
* [[Dudley Mason|Dudley Mason GC]] – master of the [[SS Ohio|SS ''Ohio'']]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vconline.org.uk/dudley-w-mason-gc/4589321630|title=Dudley William Mason GC|author=The Comprehensive Guide to the Victoria and George Cross|publisher=VC Online|access-date=24 July 2019 }}</ref>
* [[Dudley Mason|Dudley Mason GC]] – master of the [[SS Ohio|SS ''Ohio'']]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vconline.org.uk/dudley-w-mason-gc/4589321630|title=Dudley William Mason GC|author=The Comprehensive Guide to the Victoria and George Cross|publisher=VC Online|access-date=24 July 2019 }}</ref>
* [[C. H. Middleton]] ("Mr Middleton") – gardener, writer and [[BBC]] broadcaster
* [[C. H. Middleton]] ("Mr Middleton") – gardener, writer and [[BBC]] broadcaster
* [[William Newton (sport shooter)|William Newton]] – Olympic [[shooting sports|sports shooter]], killed in World War I, grew up in Surbiton where his parents settled.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/155443/newton,-william-savage/ |title=William Savage Newton |work=Commonwealth War Graves Commission |access-date=18 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.masonicgreatwarproject.org.uk/legend.php?id=2249 |title=William Savage Newton |work=Masonic Great War Project |access-date=18 June 2020}}</ref>
* [[Elizabeth Norton]] – historian and author
* [[Elizabeth Norton]] – historian and author
* [[Betty Nuthall]] – amongst other major titles, winner of the 1930 Women's US Singles Tennis Championship, ranked number 4 in the world
* [[Betty Nuthall]] – amongst other major titles, winner of the 1930 Women's US Singles Tennis Championship, ranked number 4 in the world
* [[Katherine Parkinson]] - actress, [[The IT Crowd|IT Crowd]]
* [[Katherine Parkinson]] – actress, [[The IT Crowd|IT Crowd]]
* [[Andy Parsons]] – comedian, ''[[Mock The Week]]''
* [[Andy Parsons]] – comedian, ''[[Mock The Week]]''
⚫
* Alf Pearson (of musical double act [[Bob and Alf Pearson]]) lived in Surbiton until 2007<ref>{{Cite web|title=Notable Abodes - Alf Pearson (Musician)|url=http://www.notableabodes.com/people-search-results/person-details/135257/alf-pearson-musician|access-date=2021-03-14|website=www.notableabodes.com}}</ref>
* [[Emma, Lady Radford]] – English antiquarian and public servant, incl. chairman of the Kingston-upon-Thames [[Women's Land Army]]. Resided at Chiswick House, Ditton Hill, Surbiton.
* [[Emma, Lady Radford]] – English antiquarian and public servant, incl. chairman of the Kingston-upon-Thames [[Women's Land Army]]. Resided at Chiswick House, Ditton Hill, Surbiton.
* [[Jon Richardson (entertainer)|Jon Richardson]] – comedian, ''[[8 out of 10 Cats]]'', ''[[Stand Up for the Week]]''
* [[Jon Richardson (entertainer)|Jon Richardson]] – comedian, ''[[8 out of 10 Cats]]'', ''[[Stand Up for the Week]]''
Line 193: Line 195:
* [[Twinkle (singer)|Twinkle]] (Lynn Ripley) – singer
* [[Twinkle (singer)|Twinkle]] (Lynn Ripley) – singer
* [[Naunton Wayne]] – actor
* [[Naunton Wayne]] – actor
* [[Jimmy White]] - Snooker Player<ref name=":1" />
* [[Jimmy White]] – Snooker Player<ref name=":1" />
* [[Joe Wicks (coach)|Joe Wicks]] - Coach and personal trainer<ref>{{Cite news|last=Heritage|first=Stuart|date=2016-06-18|title=Meet the Body Coach, the man with the million-dollar muscles|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jun/18/joe-wicks-meet-body-coach-million-dollar-muscles|access-date=2020-05-01|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
* [[Joe Wicks (coach)|Joe Wicks]] – Coach and personal trainer<ref>{{Cite news|last=Heritage|first=Stuart|date=2016-06-18|title=Meet the Body Coach, the man with the million-dollar muscles|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jun/18/joe-wicks-meet-body-coach-million-dollar-muscles|access-date=2020-05-01|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
* [[Dorothy Wrinch]] – first woman to receive an Oxford DSc., 1938 [[Nobel Prize]] nominee, grew up in Surbiton
* [[Dorothy Wrinch]] – first woman to receive an Oxford DSc., 1938 [[Nobel Prize]] nominee, grew up in Surbiton
⚫
*Alf Pearson (of musical double act [[Bob and Alf Pearson]]) lived in Surbiton until 2007<ref>{{Cite web|title=Notable Abodes - Alf Pearson (Musician)|url=http://www.notableabodes.com/people-search-results/person-details/135257/alf-pearson-musician|access-date=2021-03-14|website=www.notableabodes.com}}</ref>


== Geography ==
== Geography ==
Line 235: Line 236:
* {{Cite EB1911 |wstitle=Surbiton |volume=26 |page=117 |short=1}}
* {{Cite EB1911 |wstitle=Surbiton |volume=26 |page=117 |short=1}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130823125327/http://www.surbitonpeople.co.uk/ Surbiton People]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130823125327/http://www.surbitonpeople.co.uk/ Surbiton People]
* [http://www.surbitoncroquet.org.uk Surbiton Croquet Club]
* [http://www.surbitoncaledonian.co.uk/index.html Surbiton Caledonian Society]
* [https://surbitonchurch.org.uk/ Surbiton Parish Church]


{{LB Kingston upon Thames}}
{{LB Kingston upon Thames}}
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[[Category:Districts of London on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Districts of London on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Railway towns in England]]
[[Category:Railway towns in England]]
[[Category:District centres of London]]

Latest revision as of 19:53, 12 October 2024

For other uses, see Surbiton (disambiguation).

Surbiton
Victoria Road, Surbiton's high street
Surbiton is located in Greater London
Surbiton
Surbiton
Location within Greater London
Area7.18 km2 (2.77 sq mi)
Population45,132 
• Density6,286/km2 (16,280/sq mi)
OS grid referenceTQ180673
London borough
Ceremonial countyGreater London
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townSURBITON
Postcode districtKT5, KT6
Dialling code020
PoliceMetropolitan
FireLondon
AmbulanceLondon
UK Parliament
London Assembly
List of places
UK
England
London
51°23′38″N 0°18′25″W / 51.394°N 0.307°W / 51.394; -0.307

Surbiton is a suburban neighbourhood in South West London, within the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames (RBK). It is next to the River Thames, 11 miles (18 km) southwest of Charing Cross. Surbiton was in the historic county of Surrey and since 1965 it has been in Greater London. Surbiton comprises four of the RBK's wards: Alexandra, Berrylands, St. Mark's, and Surbiton Hill.[1]

Founded originally as Kingston-upon-Railway when the area was first developed in the 1840s,[2] Surbiton possesses a mixture of grand 19th-century townhouses, Art Deco courts, and more recent residential blocks blending in with semi-detached 20th-century housing estates. With a population of 45,132 in 2016, it accounts for approximately 25% of the total population of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.[3] Surbiton extends over an area of 7.18 km2 (2.77 sq mi).[4]

Etymology

[edit]

Though Surbiton only received its current name in 1869, the name is attested as Suberton in 1179, Surbeton in 1263, Surpeton in 1486, and finally Surbiton 1597.[5] Sūth Bere-tūn means "southern grange" or "outlying farm" in Old English, as opposed to nearby Norbiton; both Norbiton and Surbiton were possessions of the royal manor of Kingston.[5]

History

[edit]
See also: Thomas Pooley
Grade-II listed Surbiton railway station. Art deco architecture

The present-day town came into existence after a plan to build a London-Southampton railway line through nearby Kingston was rejected by Kingston Council, who feared that it would be detrimental to the coaching trade. This resulted in the line being routed further south, through a cutting in the hill south of Surbiton. Surbiton railway station opened in 1838, and was originally named Kingston-upon-Railway.[6] It was only renamed Surbiton to distinguish it from the new Kingston railway station on the Shepperton branch line, which opened on 1 January 1869. The present station has an art deco façade.

As a result, Kingston is now on a branch line, whereas passengers from Surbiton (smaller in comparison) can reach London Waterloo in as little as 16 minutes[7] on a fast direct service; as well as places further afield, including Portsmouth and Southampton.

Surbiton was once home to Surbiton Studios which were owned by Stoll Pictures, before the company shifted its main production to Cricklewood Studios.

Politics

[edit]
See also: Municipal Borough of Surbiton
Sessions House housed the Municipal Borough of Surbiton before Surbiton became part of Greater London in 1965.
Location map of Surbiton within the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and Greater London

National politics

[edit]
See also: Kingston and Surbiton

Surbiton falls within the UK parliamentary constituency of Kingston and Surbiton, which is represented in the House of Commons by Sir Ed Davey, currently the leader of the Liberal Democrats who served as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change during the Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition. Davey also represented the constituency between 1997 and 2015, having been ousted for a short period of time by Conservative James Berry. In the 2017 general election, Davey went on to defeat Berry by 45% to 38%.[8] Both Davey's and Berry's offices were located in Surbiton's Berrylands ward.

In the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, Kingston and Surbiton voted to remain a member of the European Union by 61.7% of the local vote.[9]

London politics

[edit]
See also: South West (London Assembly constituency)

Surbiton is represented in the London Assembly by Liberal Democrat politician Gareth Roberts, as part of Greater London's South West constituency.

Local councillors

[edit]

Surbiton elects 12 of the Kingston upon Thames London Borough Council's 48 councillors. As of the 2018 local elections, the council is controlled by the Liberal Democrats, and all Surbiton's elected councillors are members of that party.

Councillors from Surbiton's four Kingston Council wards[10]
Party Councillors (12) Change
Liberal Democrats
12 / 12 (100%)
 Increase5
Conservatives
0 / 12 (0%)
 Decrease5

Transport

[edit]
A London double-decker bus and an Abellio Surrey bus in Surbiton

Surbiton is served by a number of regular bus services. Transport for London bus routes 71, 281, 406, 418, 465, K1, K2, K3, and K4, as well as Hallmark Connections route 458, Reptons Coaches route 513, Falcon Coaches routes 514, 515 and 715 all serve the area. These provide links to Chessington, Kingston town centre, Twickenham, Hounslow, Epsom, Leatherhead, Dorking, Cobham, Staines, Weybridge and Guildford.

Surbiton is also close to two of London's largest airports: Heathrow and Gatwick.

Railways have served the town since it was founded. Surbiton and Berrylands stations are both served by South Western Railway services. It provides rail links to London Waterloo, Surrey and Hampshire.

If approval is granted for the project, Surbiton will be connected with the London Underground system via Crossrail 2. It is expected that the project will relieve pressure on both Surbiton and Berrylands stations.[11]

Surbiton lacks major motorways, although the A3 road cuts through Berrylands ward at Tolworth Underpass. Parts of the A307 that run along the River Thames, Portsmouth Road, have become part of the London cycle routes network.

Architecture

[edit]

Education

[edit]
Main article: Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames § Education
Surbiton High School.

Demographics

[edit]

Religion

[edit]

Until the early 19th century, Surbiton, like Norbiton, lay in the parish of All Saints, Kingston upon Thames. As a result, Surbiton's two town centre parish churches, Saint Mark's and Saint Andrew's, date back only to the Victorian era.[12]

St Matthew's, Surbiton

There are two further Anglican parish churches in south Surbiton, Christ Church and Saint Matthew's, both also Victorian.

Christ Church was built in 1862–63, by Charles Lock Luck and lengthened in 1866. The chancel aisles were added in 1864, and 1871. It has no tower, and is built of red brick with stone dressings with some black brick voussoirs. The east stained-glass window was done by Clayton and Bell, the central stained-glass window by Burne-Jones, while the other stained glass was done by Lavers, Barraud and Westlake.[13]

Saint Matthew's was completed in 1875, having taken less than 2 years to build. The church and the original vicarage were paid for by one man, William Matthew Coulthurst, who was the senior partner of Coutts Bank. On the outside of the east end of the church, there is a stone plaque recording this and the fact that it was partly built in memory of Hannah Mabella Coulthurst, the dead sister of William Matthew Coulthurst. Built into the wall behind the plaque, there is a photograph of Hannah, a copy of 'The Times' newspaper of the day and a letter from William Coulthurst stipulating that the church should remain in the evangelical tradition. The church and vicarage cost £26,500. The old vicarage was pulled down in 1939 and a subsequent one was built on the same plot. In 2012, work started on a new vicarage on part of the plot and this was completed in 2013.[14] The East stained-glass window by Henry Holiday was destroyed by a V-1 flying bomb on 23 June 1944. They were replaced in 1953 with windows by Hugh Easton, with his maker's mark of a weather vane signed H Easton with a cockerel on the top. The Clayton memorial triptych window was installed in 1921, designed by Louis Davis, 'the last of the Pre-Raphaelites', and made by Thomas Cowall (1870-1949) for James Powell and Sons. The Caporn memorial window was installed in 1970 and designed by W T Carter Shapland who had also designed the West window at St Mark's. Some of the original windows by Powell & Sons survive, known as Quarry windows because they are made up of pre-stamped diamond-shaped glass known as 'Quarries'.[15]

Other churches in Surbiton include Surbiton Hill Methodist Church on Ewell Road, opened in 1882,[16] and the Roman Catholic church of Saint Raphael's, completed in 1848 and located to the north of Surbiton, in the Kingston upon Thames postal district.[17]

In recent years, Surbiton has become more diverse in terms of religion, the Surbiton area having a Sikh Gurdwara[18] and an Orthodox Jewish synagogue.[19] According to the 2011 Census, Muslims form the largest minority religious community at about 5% of the population; the nearest mosque is located in Kingston upon Thames.

Nationality

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Approximately 74% of Surbiton's residents at the 2011 Census were born in the United Kingdom (73% in Alexandra, 71% in St. Mark's, 75% in Surbiton Hill, 76% in Berrylands). The largest ethnic group, with two-thirds of the population, is "White British", with "White Other" the second largest group at just under 10%.

Sport

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Surbiton Lawn Tennis Club hosted international tennis from 1900 (Surrey Grass Court Championships - SGCC) until 1981 at the tennis Club in Berrylands. From 1998 to 2008 international tennis returned to Surbiton with an event hosted by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club (SRFC). The Surbiton Trophy was part of the ATP Challenger Series and in 2009 the event was moved to Nottingham as part of a reorganisation by the LTA. The event came back to SRFC in 2015 and continues to be played at Berrylands.

Surbiton F.C. was a short-lived football club that was among the founders of The Football Association in 1863. Surbiton is the current home of both male and female football teams, Darkside FC, Surbiton Wanderers and Surbiton Town Ladies FC.

Surbiton Hockey Club, established in 1874, is regarded as one of the best hockey clubs in the country. Its men's and ladies' 1st XIs currently both play in their respective national premier leagues, while its youth section regularly produces players of international quality.

Surbiton is also the home to Surbiton Croquet Club, which is amongst the strongest croquet clubs in the country and, with seven lawns, one of the largest.

The Cooper Car Company was based in a garage on Hollyfield Road from 1946 to 1968, celebrating wins in the Formula One Constructors Championships in 1959 and 1960 and developing the iconic Mini Cooper in 1961.

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Resident artists and writers

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The clock tower, Surbiton, built to celebrate the Coronation of King Edward VII, 1902

The Pre-Raphaelite painters John Everett Millais (1829–1896) and William Holman Hunt (1827–1910) came to Surbiton in 1851, 26 years before Richard Jefferies (1848–1887). Millais used the Hogsmill River, in Six Acre Meadow, Tolworth, as the background for his painting Ophelia.[20] Holman Hunt used the fields just south of this spot as the background to The Hireling Shepherd.[21]

In the mid-1870s the novelist Thomas Hardy (1840–1928) lived in a house called 'St. David's Villa' in Hook Road, Surbiton for a year after his marriage to Emma Gifford.[22] H.G.Wells, in his comic novel The Wheels of Chance, describes the cycle collision of 'Mr Hoopdriver' and a 'Young Lady in Grey'; the young lady approaching 'along an affluent from the villas of Surbiton'. The writer Enid Blyton was governess to a Surbiton family for four years from 1920, at a house called 'Southernhay', also on the Hook Road.[23] C. H. Middleton (1886–1945), who broadcast on gardening during the Second World War, lived in Surbiton, where he died suddenly outside his home.[24] The artist who brought Rupert the Bear to life for a whole generation, Alfred Bestall, sketched out his cartoons from his home in Cranes Park, Surbiton Hill.

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Surbiton was the setting of Keble Howard's novel The Smiths of Surbiton, published in 1906. The novel proved successful and led to two sequels, The Smiths of Valley View (1909) and The Smiths in War-Time (1918), both also set in Surbiton.[25]

A 1972 episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus featured a mock documentary which investigated whether the residents of Hounslow, another London area suburb, had long ago been descendants of the people of Surbiton "who had made the great trek north".[26]

Surbiton is popularly remembered as an icon of suburbia in such British television programmes as The Good Life (starring Richard Briers, Penelope Keith, Paul Eddington and Felicity Kendal), though location filming was done in Northwood, North-West London,[27] and John Sessions and Phil Cornwell's comedy series Stella Street.

Surbiton station features in the 2009 film version of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, with actors Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter and Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore. Filming took place in November 2007.[28] The station also appears in Agatha Christie's Poirot: The Adventure of the Clapham Cook,[29] a 1989 ITV adaptation of the short story by Agatha Christie. The station reflects the 1930s Art Deco style that often featured in locations used in the series.[30]

The guitarist and singer-songwriter Eric Clapton purchased one of his first guitars from a shop in Surbiton called Bells; the shop has since closed.[31]

According to the cassette insert for the 1980s computer game Manic Miner, the mine complex in which the game action takes place was located "while prospecting down Surbiton way..."[32]

List of notable residents

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Geography

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The terrain of Surbiton is relatively flat, except for a small hill near its centre. It is part of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames in Greater London, and borders the Borough of Elmbridge in Surrey. Surbiton consists of several smaller areas, including much of Seething Wells.

Nearby areas

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Surbiton is a post town in the KT postcode area, consisting of the KT5 and KT6 postcode districts. KT5 includes Berrylands, Tolworth and part of Surbiton; and KT6 includes Tolworth, Long Ditton and part of Surbiton.

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  • The clock tower at Surbiton was built to celebrate the 1902 coronation of King Edward VII.
    The clock tower at Surbiton was built to celebrate the 1902 coronation of King Edward VII.
  • Claremont Road in Surbiton.
    Claremont Road in Surbiton.
  • Shops in Victoria Road, Surbiton.
    Shops in Victoria Road, Surbiton.
  • Surbiton War Memorial
    Surbiton War Memorial
  • The roundabout outside Surbiton railway station
    The roundabout outside Surbiton railway station
  • The bus shelter outside Surbiton railway station.
    The bus shelter outside Surbiton railway station.
  • Surbiton Branch Post Office, subsequently redeveloped by CNM Estates.
    Surbiton Branch Post Office, subsequently redeveloped by CNM Estates.
  • Surbiton Fire Station
    Surbiton Fire Station

References

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  1. ^ "Administrative Boundaries". www.maps.kingston.gov.uk. Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  2. ^ Sampson, June (1991). All Change; Kingston, Surbiton & New Malden in the 19th century (2nd ed.). St. Luke's Church, Surbiton. pp. 2–4. ISBN 0950995800.
  3. ^ "Population". www.data.kingston.gov.uk. Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  4. ^ "Standard Area Measurements (2016) for Administrative Areas in the United Kingdom". www.ons.maps.arcgis.com. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  5. ^ a b Surbiton. Oxford Reference. ISBN 978-0-19-956678-5. Retrieved 7 February 2018. Suberton 1179, Surbeton 1263, Surpeton 1486, Surbiton 1597, that is 'the southern grange or outlying farm', from Old English su ̄th and bere-tu ̄n, so called in relation to Norbiton; both were granges of the royal manor of Kingston.
  6. ^ "Railways South East". Retrieved 10 August 2007. A township developed on the hill near the railway. This was named New Kingston, New Town and Kingston-upon-Railway before becoming Surbiton
  7. ^ "Train Timetable | South Western Railway". www.southwesternrailway.com. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  8. ^ "2017 UK general election results". The Electoral Commission. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  9. ^ "EU referendum results". The Electoral Commission. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  10. ^ "Local Elections - Thursday 3 May 2018". Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  11. ^ "Crossrail 2 Consultation Analysis" (PDF). www.consultations.tfl.gov.uk. Steer Davies Gleave / Transport for London. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  12. ^ McCormack, Anne (1989). Kingston upon Thames: A Pictorial History. Phillimore. ISBN 9780850337167.
  13. ^ Historic England. "Christ Church (1080070)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
  14. ^ "St Matthew's Church - History". St Matthew's Church. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
  15. ^ St Matthew's Church leaflet on the stained-glass windows
  16. ^ "Surbiton Hill Methodist Church - History". St Matthew's Church. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  17. ^ Historic England. "Church of St Raphael (1080045)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  18. ^ "Gurudwara Guru Har Rai Sahib". Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  19. ^ "Kingston, Surbiton & District Synagogue". Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  20. ^ KoZola (21 April 2014). "Site of John Everett Millais' Ophelia as it is now on Hogsmill River Old Malden". Kingston Online guide to Kingston upon Thames. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  21. ^ "Collections". Manchestergalleries.org. Manchester Art Gallery. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  22. ^ a b "The surprising story of Thomas Hardy in Surbiton". Maproom. 30 October 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  23. ^ The Enid Blyton Society, Chronology, retrieved 10 February 2012
  24. ^ Daniel Smith (2011) The Spade as Mighty as the Sword
  25. ^ Kemp; Mitchell; Trotter (1997). Edwardian Fiction, an Oxford Companion. Oxford University Press. p. 197. ISBN 9780198117605.
  26. ^ Monty Python's Flying Circus, Episode No. 28, first aired 28 October 1972
  27. ^ The Good Life house for sale
  28. ^ thisislocallondon.co.uk
  29. ^ "The Adventure of the Clapham Cook". Agatha Christie's Poirot. Season 1. Episode 1. 8 January 1989. 38:28 minutes in. ITV.
  30. ^ Rohrer, Finlo (15 November 2013). "Goodbye to the splendid 1930s world of Poirot". BBC News Magazine. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  31. ^ christies.com
  32. ^ 'Manic Miner - Instructions' at 20 GOTO 10 website
  33. ^ "Abbatt, Marjorie". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/49549. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  34. ^ "Letter from Thomas John Barnardo". The Saleroom. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  35. ^ a b c d e f "Famous residents of Kingston, Surbiton and the local area". Kingston Online guide to Kingston upon Thames. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  36. ^ "Memories of George Best". Surrey Comet. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  37. ^ "Alfred Bestall blue plaque". Open Plaques. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  38. ^ V&A Museum. "Mrs Bryant's Pleasure". V&A Museum. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  39. ^ "Hillcroft College". London Parks and Gardens Trust. 1 April 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  40. ^ "Paul Frecker - Fine Photographs". paulfrecker.com. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  41. ^ "Disabled people are confronting the spectre of social death | Jane Campbell". The Guardian. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  42. ^ "The Cooper Car Company commemorated with an English Heritage blue plaque". English Heritage. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  43. ^ Walker, Tim (10 May 2020). "Lib Dem acting leader Ed Davey on the art of opposition homeworking". The New European. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  44. ^ "Ciaran Brown meets actress Susan George". www.ciaranbrown.com. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  45. ^ Nazia Dewji (26 April 2012). "Kingston women's cycling pioneer in line for award". Surrey Comet. Archived from the original on 23 December 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  46. ^ "James Johnston (@JayVJohnston) | Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  47. ^ "Surbiton High Pupils receive award at the National Awards Ceremony for WOHAA". Surbiton High School. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  48. ^ The Comprehensive Guide to the Victoria and George Cross. "Dudley William Mason GC". VC Online. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  49. ^ "William Savage Newton". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  50. ^ "William Savage Newton". Masonic Great War Project. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  51. ^ "Notable Abodes - Alf Pearson (Musician)". www.notableabodes.com. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  52. ^ "Young artists will raise the roof of the Rose tonight". Surrey Comet. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  53. ^ Heritage, Stuart (18 June 2016). "Meet the Body Coach, the man with the million-dollar muscles". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
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