Banstead - History

History

The settlement appears in the Domesday Book as Benestede, derived from the Anglo Saxon words bene, meaning bean, and stede, meaning place. It was held by Richard from the Bishop of Bayeux. Its Domesday Assets were: 9½ hides, 1 church, 1 mill worth £1, 17 ploughs, woodland worth 20 hogs. It rendered (in total): £8.

The earliest recorded mention of Banstead was in an Anglo Saxon charter of King Edgar's time dated AD967, a century before the Domesday Survey of 1086. In that survey Banstead had a Manor with two ploughs, 28 villeins and 15 cottars (people with a small cottage but no land) with 15 ploughs. Banstead was a farming area, and later became well known nationally for its high quality sheep wool. The manor was owned by landed gentry, then the church, before it fell into the hands of the Crown in the 13th century and Edward I visited more than once. Henry VIII made Banstead part of Catherine of Aragon's dowry, but took it away again and gave it to a court favourite, Sir Nicholas Carew. Carew himself then fell out of favour and was beheaded for treason, but Banstead stayed in his family until the 18th century.

Banstead Downs, which for many centuries meant all the open land stretching from Epsom to Croydon, became well known for horse racing in the 17th century and were honoured by another Royal visit on 20th November 1683 when the King and Duke of York attended a race meeting close to present day Banstead. The town also gained a reputation as a health resort during that era, becoming famous for its 'wholesome air', and London physicians used to recommend a visit to Banstead to their ailing patients.

Banstead remained a small village until the 19th century when the improved roads and the building of the railways led to its growth. Despite this, however, Banstead still retains a village feel and has a number of buildings of historical interest, including the parish church with its sturdy tower and medieval spire. Built in the 12th and 13th centuries this interesting building was restored in 1861 by the noted church architect Street. The Old Well was a public well used by the people in the village until the arrival of pumped water. The 18th century wellhead cover which still houses the elaborate winding gear is a listed building.