Did you know that...
This CR3 area is part of the ancient Tandridge Hundred. Caterham contains a few historic buildings. St Lawrence church is a Norman building that dates from the 11th or 12th century. The King and Queen pub is a listed building. Caterham had several manors. The main rectorial manor was granted to William Sackville by royal decree in 1544. It changed many owners over the years. The last one was Katherine Glover in the 18th century. In 1840, there were 477 people living in Caterham. More settled here after the coming of the railway in 1856. The parish church of St Mary the Virgin’s was built in 1866. St John the Evangelist church was established in 1882.
Caterham Barracks housed foot guards from 1877 until 1995 when they were closed and repurposed for housing. The popular North Downs Way, a 153 miles long hiking trail, passes close to Caterham. One can easily access it from Harestone Valley Road or Tupwood Lane. Church Walk Shopping Centre is built on the site of the now-demolished Valley Hotel that featured a tennis court and rose garden. Caterham Cars sports car manufacturer was based in the area until it moved to Crawley in 2013. The former building was redeveloped for housing. The famous Caterham Seven super lightweight sports car takes the name of the area. The multivallate hillfort, The Cardinal’s Cap, was named a scheduled ancient monument that dates back to the Iron Age.
Actor Bill Nighy who is known for the role of Davy Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean, Billy Mack in Love Actually, and for the State of Play series was born in Caterham. Footballers Nicky Forster and David Price were born here as well. TV presenter Angus Deayton is a famous resident. Cricketer James Benning, botanist Ann Conolly, Shakespearean actor Jon Finch, educator Harold Marks, pioneering surgeon Clement Prince Thomas, and artist Claudia Williams are former Caterham School alumni.