Towns & Villages in Runnymede

CHERTSEY
The development of Chertsey was originally due to it's status as an island, surrounded by marsh, the Thames and its tributary systems.

In 666 AD a famous monastery was established - Chertsey Abbey, and despite being pillaged by the Vikings on two occasions, it survived to become the wealthiest religious house in Surrey.

The monks were responsible for the establishment of the town in the 12th century.

The town was carefully planned, and archaeological excavations have suggested that it was surrounded by a ditch.


Chertsey Museum

The town was the centre for trade in the local area, but seems not to have expanded much beyond its medieval limits until the 19th Century.

Chertsey Bridge

Its economy was based on agriculture and, also later, market gardening.

Tile and brick making was an important industry in the area from the 13th to 20th centuries.

The Abbots of Chertsey had a residence in London and the capital has continued to be important to the development of the town. In the early 18th Century it became fashionable for the gentry to live away from London, and number of fine buildings in Chertsey were built in this period.

In 1848 the railway station was opened, and this was largely responsible for the subsequent expansion of the town.

Although its historic centre has remained largely unchanged the continuing redevelopment scheme for Chertsey is making many changes and improvements.