Epsom and Ewell

Epsom and Ewell is a borough in Surrey, in South East England, centred on the towns of Epsom and Ewell. The district combines built-up neighbourhoods with open spaces such as Epsom Downs and Epsom Common; the Downs host the racecourse where the Derby Stakes is run and the common includes areas of chalk grassland. The town of Epsom gave its name to Epsom salts after a bitter saline spring once used for bathing and mineral extraction. Regular rail services connect the district to central London, making it part of the capital’s commuter belt.

Local history is visible in Nonsuch Park, laid out on the site linked to the 16th-century Nonsuch Palace and containing a late 18th-century mansion and remnants of formal garden layouts. Residential areas range from Victorian terraces to post-war estates, served by shops, schools and community facilities managed by the borough council. Cycling and walking routes cross the green corridors, and conservation designations protect habitats on the Downs and commonland that support species adapted to chalk soils.