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Claygate was home to several clay pits that served as a material supplier for the brick-making industry. It is believed that the name derives from the clay pits. In 1086, the area was known as Claigate and it was a manor of Thames Ditton. In the 16th century, the Evelyn family bought the manor from the Vincent family. In the 18th century, the Earl of Lovelace bought this area. This mostly residential KT10 area includes a few offices, some farms, and two shopping centers that feature stores, hairdressers, pubs, and restaurants. The shopping areas are known as the Village and the Parade.
In 1840, John Braddick discovered a type of local apple. It became known as the Claygate Pearmain and it was a popular snack during Victorian times. The school dates from 1838. The Baptist chapel was established in 1861. The Holy Trinity church is from 1840. The railway came to Claygate in 1885. The station connects this area with London Waterloo, Guildford, and Wimbledon. The K3 bus passes through Claygate providing access to Esher and Roehampton Vale. Ruxley Towers is a Victorian building that features Neo-Gothic style. It was built by Lord Foley, a wealthy local landowner. The semaphore hill on the opposite side of Telegraph Hill dates from 1822. It was used for communication between Portsmouth and the Admiralty.
This South West London area was a filming location for The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner and Never the Twain movies. Sitcoms Wyatt’s Watchdogs and Men Behaving Badly also had scenes filmed in Claygate. Famous residents include comedian Terry Jones from Monty Python group, Ronnie Wood from the Rolling Stones, and TV presenter Michael Aspen. Cliff Richard, Ronnie Wood, and Bobby Davro are among the celebrities that were invited to switch on the lights for the Christmas celebration. Historian Frances Yates is buried in the Holy Trinity churchyard.