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Horton is part of the market town of Epsom in South West London. It was part of the ancient hundred of Copthorne. A 7th-century broach found here suggests that this was a Saxon settlement. Horton is one of the Middle Age manors that were founded here. This locality is the westernmost part of the borough. Its center is Horton Lane. The name derives from the Anglo-Saxon words “horu” which means dirt and “tun” which means settlement or farm. The name most likely means “farm on muddy soil”.
The most famous landmark of this KT19 area is Horton Rounds (the house of the circles). The house was built in 1966 and has a modern, unique design. For a while, it was owned by the writer of “Last of the Summer Wine”, Roy Clarke. Horton Hospital opened in 1902 and it was part of the Epsom Cluster. This psychiatric hospital served as a military hospital during both World Wars. It was known for pioneering treatment techniques. The hospital closed in 1997 and its buildings were demolished to make room for housing. Horton Light Railway was a railway line that served Long Grove Asylum from 1905 until 1950. The track-bed of the now-dismantled railway line is a walking path that runs through Horton Country Park.
One of the notable Horton residents was Thomas Wright, an astronomer and architect. Wright designed some of the buildings in Horton and was the first person to describe the Milky Way. Hobbledown Children’s Farm can be found within Horton Country Park. The farm features themed playgrounds and a small zoo. Thames Down Link walking route passes through this park. This area also features a golf club and a leisure center named after David Lloyd. Other notable people who lived in the area include actor Tom Felton who is known for playing Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter, cricketer Rory Burns, guitarist Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, writer Steven Savile, and actor Andrew Garfield.