Nestled just east of Caterham and north of nearby Redhill sits the town of Merstham, Surrey. An old settlement stretching back to the pre-Roman era of Britain, Merstham has since developed into a vital commuter network town to London and the rest of the southeast of England. A combination of the old settlement and the post WWII housing project launched by the London County Council - Merstham’s vibrant community is a curious blend of old and new - dotted with Victorian suburban properties and contemporary mid-century housing blocks.

Unlike its new neighbour Redhill, Merstham’s history stretches far back in time. It’s first recorded history dates to 947 AD to a royal charter, where it was recorded as ‘Mearsoetham’. Known for the swathes of marshland, the marsh dwelling settlers of Merstham were known as the ‘Mearsoeti’. The name itself, although phonetically similar to marsh, actually translates to ‘horse-paddock’ or ‘horse-settlement’. Merstham was also the sight of a famous early medieval battle in England between the Vikings and the Anglo-Saxons, which ended as one of the most famous victories in Anglo-Saxon warfare history!

)

Perhaps what Merstham has been most well-known for throughout history is its quarries. There is much archaeological evidence to suggest that quarrying was carried out in the pre-Roman era, although it is certain the Romans also quarried in Merstham! These quarries have been used throughout the centuries and we’re pivotal to the construction of roads throughout the southeast. Most of the old quarry mines are in disuse, however three are currently in use by a local caving club for cave exploring.

Owing to its commuter status and long-standing history - the housing market in Merstham is dominated by large scale suburban properties at high price-values, with little mixed-use or housing block developments in the local area. Apart from the Merstham estate developed in the mid-twentieth century, there is little affordable housing in the locale. The Reigate and Barnstead Borough Council (RBBC), in their adopted local plan, has identified central Merstham as a core focus for urban regeneration throughout the borough. For domestic development the RBBC has designated the production of between 500-700 new dwellings to be constructed east of Merstham, meaning there is plenty of scope of large-scale urban infrastructural development!