Great British Road Journeys - Surrey - Epsom to Reigate Ep. 33

#surrey #driving #roadtrip

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This week we continue to explore the county of Surrey on a journey that will takes us from Epsom to Reigate. We'll be looking at a lovely old windmill, a tunnel, a hill... that's about it really. Oh and a petrol station... how exciting.

It's not always about the destination, sometimes the journey is equally as exciting.
Using a copy of the 1923 Michelin Guide, I'll be travelling the country to see what remains and what's changed since it's publication. The guide offers suggestions on thing to see and where to stay all with the goal of getting you out there and exploring in your motor vehicle.

[engineered_images]

You were in Dorking at that fuel station and didn't take the opportunity to go to Cock roundabout, barely 50 yards away, point at it and say "Cock!".
I am, quite frankly, astonished.

[andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

The world’s first road tunnel, the only consecrated “windmill church” in the world, a “privateer” formula 1 team and a disused pump house all in the same episode! You spoilt us today! Thank you Jon. 👏👏👍😀

[AdrianDowthwaite]

"England is boring, lets go on holiday abroad." Really, really eh? I vote Jon as the UK tourism ambassador as each week I'm left thinking, "I could go there."

[twocvbloke]

I think they need to turn that old pump house into a jam factory, where they can really pump up the I'll get my coat... :P

[moorlandmonster]

Countryfile, Antiques Roadshow, Songs of Praise, Auto Shenanigans - the four corners of the essential British Sunday.

[southstandboy]

If you think the Leatherhead to Dorking part of the A24 is meandering, wait until you try the Dorking to Horsham part.

[JohnSmithShields]

That walk and sit at the beginning was borderline professional tv presenting.

[lefthandedspanner]

fun fact: 10cc's 1978 album "Deceptive Bends" was named after a warning sign, now long gone, on the nasty dual-carriageway bit of A24 between Leatherhead and Dorking (Strawberry Studios' southern division was in Dorking, and 10cc often recorded there)
if you want to see a largely unaltered and similarly hairy dual carriageway of a similar vintage, the Lesmahagow bypass in Lanarkshire is still fully intact, now part of B7078 and bypassed by M74 since 1968

[flickthenick]

Another interesting fact, in the middle of Reigate Tunnel is a door leading to a rather large shooting range. These also doubled up as air raid shelters during the 1940's troubles and before that to store wine...

[stephenyates]

Another fwickedsweetawesome video, Jon. Another Sunday Sundayed

[nickk]

Dorking's most famous son is Lord Olivier, born there 22 May 1907. John Logie Baird conducted his first TV test transmission from Box Hill to the roof of the Red Lion in Dorking High Street. William Mullins lived in West Street, Dorking and sailed on the Mayflower to America on 16th September 1620 as one of the Pilgrim Fathers. West Street is also great for antique shops!

[LuciousDeMorte]

Proposed to my wife up the top of Leith Hill Tower, some really good views up there.

[markstamp]

I used to walk past that windmill on my way to work every day. Never knew it was a church

[TheSynthnut]

We had the underpass abutments painted specially for you, they were covered in colourful graffiti until just recently!
The Leatherhead pumping Station is still in use these days, just with electric pumps. There are two large standby generator sets for backup too. On occasion, the building has been floodlit in colour in support of a health charity.
It's quite a striking building, the front doors are particularly imposing, being massive.

[patrickgregory]

Argh! - There I was quietly surfing 'the net' when I was attacked by your hidiously amusing anecdotes. Thank you for saving me from a very boring day.

[highpath]

Horse Racing used to be at Pollards Hill but moved to Epsom - where a substantial network of stables was created by different trainers, some of the stables have closed of recent years and been developed into rather expensive housing

[paulketchupwitheverything]

I can remember the tunnel at Reigate being open to traffic when it was part of the A217 and a major route from London to Brighton (and Gatwick Airport, I suppose). It was one of several bottlenecks along the way. Amazing to think how much went though there before the M23 and even the Reigate one way system were constructed.
On top of Reigate hill is a 19th century fort that was part of the London Defence Scheme that was a chain of depots and underground stores that was intended to protect London in case of an invasion.

[newmyed]

That "Thinning bath salts" ad is absolutely incredible and just gets better the further on you read. Laxative thinning pastilles!!

[davidbarnsley]

It’s amazing reading the comments from people local to these places and they have no idea what is in their neighbourhood
Good work John for making people think about what is right next to them 👍👍🇦🇺

[getawayhs]

That "dangerous" section of A24 was home to the only sign in the UK that warned of "Deceptive Bends" and 10cc who were recording nearby used this for the title of their album.