Harestone

Caterham is the second largest conurbation in East Surrey with a population of some 14.500. The Town is situated on the side of the North Down and extends into the valley to the south and along the top of the Downs to the North. The town developed in the mid 19th century, when a branch railway line was given Royal assent in June 1854 for a line to run from Caterham to a junction with the Brighton Line - a distance of some 4 3/8 miles. The opening of this line in 1856 triggered one of the great railway disputes between the London Brighton and South Central Railway and the South Eastern Railway which prevented regular services being run until 1862.

Harestone ward is situated at the base of the downs and it became a popular residential area being developed with large houses in a wooded setting, a character which is still maintained through specific planning policies. The shopping area around the station included Church Walk a large development opened in 1990. Also of interest is the Asprey Fountain which was presented to the town in 1890 by Charles Asprey, who had been a famous jeweller in the town. A former church, the Miller Centre Theatre on Godstone Road, stages a variety of productions, the majority of which are produced by the Miller Centre Players.

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