Tadworth

infobox UK place

country = England
latitude= 51.294
longitude= -0.242
official_name= Tadworth
map_type= Surrey
population =less than 7,000
shire_district= Reigate and Banstead
shire_county = Surrey
region= South East England
static_

static_image_caption=The windmills, c.1910
constituency_westminster= Reigate
post_town= Tadworth
postcode_district = KT20
postcode_area= KT
dial_code= 01737
os_grid_reference= TQ2256

Tadworth is a village in Surrey, on the south-east slope of Epsom Downs. It forms part of the Borough of Reigate and Banstead. The census area "Tadworth and Walton" has a population of 7,016. [ [http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=5942946&c=Tadworth&d=14&e=16&g=491254&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1 Census data] ] Neighbouring settlements include Walton-on-the-Hill, Kingswood, Epsom, Burgh Heath, Banstead, Reigate and Sutton. Tadworth lay within the Copthorne hundred, an administrative division devised by the Saxons.

The village is near to Epsom Downs racecourse, home to the Epsom Derby.

Tadworth appears in Domesday Book of 1086 as "Tadeorde" and "Tadorne". It was held partly by Halsart from William de Braiose and partly by Radulf (Ralph) from the Bishop of Bayeux. Its domesday assets were: 2 hides. It had 5 ploughs, woodland worth 4 hogs. It rendered £3 15s 0d. [ [http://www.gwp.enta.net/surrnames.htm Surrey Domesday Book] ]

Education

Tadworth is the home of The Children's Trust, a registered charity providing special care for severely disabled children many of whom have particularly complex health needs.
* St John's Nursery School is situated to the side of St John's Catholic Church on The Avenue [http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=523025&y=156170&z=3&sv=523025,156170&st=4&ar=Y&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf] , and is open to children from 2 to under 5 years of age.
* Tadworth Primary School is located on the Tadworth Park estate to the east of the village centre, with entrances on Heathcote and Tadorne Road.
* State secondary education is not available in the immediate vicinity of the village - the nearest secondary school is The Beacon School in Banstead, although many children will travel further to schools in Ashtead, Epsom or Reigate.
* Private boys preparatory school Chinthurst is located to the south of the village, on the road to Walton-on-the-Hill, and caters for boys aged 3 to 13 years.

Transport

There are two national rail stations, Tadworth close to the centre of the village and Tattenham Corner near to Epsom Downs. Bus services 420 and 460 pass through the village, towards Epsom, Sutton and Redhill. The Brighton Road (A217) runs through Tadworth as a dual carriageway.

Shops and services

The village has two, or possibly three, small shopping areas. The largest is around the station, approximately in the centre of the Tadworth area. There is another towards the south of the area, nearer to Walton Heath, and a third, known locally as Shelvers Hill, to the north, near to Epsom Downs. The shops in these areas are part of the increasingly rare British village landscape, featuring amongst them a butcher, fishmonger, baker, greengrocer and delicatessen. There are also two estate agents, a travel agents, an off licence, a gift shop, several restaurants, two newsagents/general stores and a MINI dealership. Services include two banks, a post office, a medical centre, a dentist and a vets surgery.There are three public houses situated to the south-east of the village centre, along the B2032 Dorking Road, these being the Blue Anchor, the Dukes' Head and Inn on the Green.

The Force Headquarters (training) for the British Transport Police is also based at Tadworth and on 15 July 2006, the Dog Section Training School was opened.

Sport

Tadworth Cricket Club is situated on the edge of Walton Heath, on the south-east side of the B2032. It is considered to be one of the most picturesque grounds in the county, surrounded by woodland and with the lighting from the pubs opposite illuminating it on a summer's evening. The teams play in the Surrey Downs League and the ground is often let out to nomadic sides, including 'The Gaities' whose president is the famous playwright, Harold Pinter, a frequent visitor to the ground.

References

External links

* [http://www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/ The Children's Trust official site]