We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. About 90% of the energy generated is fed into the regional electricity grid, while the remainder is used to supply the Betchworth Park Estate, where the weir is situated. [13] The river also provides a corridor for wildlife through the centre of Leatherhead. In 1929 an aeroplane designed by Anthony Fletcher was constructed in the village by ABC Motors. Hersham began as a strip of woodland beside the River Mole. Use our species pages to find the fisheries that suit you. The main shopping area of the town is around the High Street where the A307 meets the A244. The dividing line was what then officially termed the "London and South Western Railway line" and all borders remain almost unchanged by later local government and ecclesiastical parish decisions. The Mole skirts the northern suburbs of Crawley where it is joined by its first major tributary, Ifield Brook, which drains Ifield Mill Pond. John Milton (c. 15621647) described the river as, In a similar vein, Alexander Pope (16881744) wrote in his poem Windsor Forest (first published 1713). [31] The Environment Agency estimated that up to 5200 fish of 14 different species were killed as the pollution drained downstream. Tonawanda to Buffalo via Shoreline Trail Riverwalk It was occupied by pre-historic folk whose flint instruments have been found in large numbers beside the River on Southwood Manor Farm[n 2]. The trail is open year-round and is . The Ember flood relief channel has a diverse fish population, including chub, dace, roach, bleak, large pike and barbel. [12] There is only one aquifer in the drainage basin, at Fetcham, which means that the majority of the water in the river is from surface drainage, particularly from Gatwick Airport and the urban areas of Horley and Crawley, and that the flow rate responds rapidly to rainfall.[1]. [97], A wooden bridge is thought to have existed on the site of Cobham Bridge since the 12th century, the upkeep of which was the responsibility of the adjacent landowners. The first, in 1663, was passed by the House of Commons but was defeated in the House of Lords. It is home to Sandown Park Racecourse. The manor remained in the possession of the Crown, and was granted by Philip II of Spain and Mary I of England to David Vincent. Hersham is a village in Surrey, . The North Downs Way crosses the river at Box Hill via seventeen hexagonal stepping stones, which are frequently submerged after heavy rainfall. Fast trains stopping at Walton-on-Thames reach London Waterloo within 30 minutes. Constructed between January and March 2008, replacing an earlier bridge on the same site. This site, like many others, uses small files called cookies to help us improve and customize your experience. [61], At Leatherhead the river leaves the chalk bedrock, moving onto London Clay. [72] The Lower Mole appears to have been settled during the same period and a flint axe dating from Mesolithic period found on spit of land close to River Mole in Cobham in 1965. Robert Bloomfield (17661823) writes the following lines about the Mole Valley in his 1806 poem Wild Flowers. KT10 9RA. The current stones were dedicated in September 1946 by the then Prime Minister Clement Attlee, replacing those destroyed during the Second World War as an anti-invasion measure. esculentus) was introduced to a site at Newdigate in the early 1900s. Rebuttals included that the Mole is a "charming Surrey steam" and "If Lord Lytton went to fish in the River Mole and there are still angling clubs there he would find that he would still be able to catch a trout". The parish boundaries run from the South West Main Line railway in the North to the East and through St George's Hill in the West. [_ch MP=e(3+K}h;,x5K_>. The average level of accommodation in the region composed of detached houses was 28%, the average that was apartments was 22.6%. Acclaimed Astrologer", "They've been kept hangin' on for the X Factor live shows! Own label and private label building products. Youve accepted analytics cookies. The River Mole is a tributary of the River Thames in southern England. In more recent times the punk group Sham 69 with lead singer Jimmy Pursey, had its roots in Hersham. Queen Victoria wrote in her diary how she saw her first steam train in Hersham when she was a young girl. Similarly congregationalists had a Round Chapel which existed from 1844 until 1961, the year in which the single dual carriageway in Hersham was created, and enabling its construction.[5]. By contraction the name become Haverisham,[4] Haversham,[n 3] Harsham or Hersham before finally settling only on the latter. Esher is located to the east of Hersham, at the meeting point of the A244 and A307 (Portsmouth Road). It dates back way before the Doomsday book and this is what makes it such an interesting river to paddle. The original road bridge on this site was destroyed during flooding in 1968. Hersham has an interesting industrial history with notable companies such as ABC Motors, Air Products, Faulkners, Hackbridge & Hewittick and Vickers-Armstrongs all having factories in the village during the last century. [6] The catchment area receives 761mm (30.0in) of rain each year; the greatest average level of rainfall is 800mm (31.5in) around Crawley. [8] In John Speed's 1611 map of Surrey this stretch of the river is denoted by a series of hills accompanied by the legend "The river runneth under". In 1990 the Environment Agency assessed 23% of the watercourses as Grade B (good) or better. Information about angling in Esher, covering fishing venues, tackle shops, supermarkets, and local weather. The Mole where I used to tickle trout in my youth is a drain, and it will remain a drain." Learn more about how we use cookies in our Privacy Policy, and also find links to the privacy policy of Google and other data holders whose applications are present on or integrated with this website. Plant species typical of ancient woodland are found in this area, including bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scriptus), marsh marigolds (Caltha palustris) and golden saxifrages (Chrysosplenium sp.). Mole (Horley to Hersham) is a river in Surrey. Hersham Station | Trains to Hersham | Trainline Hersham began as a strip of woodland beside the River Mole. Always check you can fish lawfully before starting. You have a choice here. The River Mole arises in Sussex and enters Surrey at Gatwick airport. History. We'll update this page when there's a flood warning in the area. The present bridge opened in 1971. The geology of the local area is complex, since the river leaves the chalk of the Mole Gap at this point and flows over gravel and clay, creating a patchwork of different habitats including scrub, woodland, hedges, banks, and meadows as well as the water itself. Riverwalk: Tonawanda Parks. These date mostly from the mesolithic period. For the river in Devon, see, River Ember Flood Relief Channel and confluence with the Thames. River Mole rises in Baldhorns Copse 700m (0.4mi) to the south of the village of Rusper in West Sussex. Allaboutangling.net: built by anglers for anglers. Below Leatherhead the river has historically supported larger predatory fish including chub, perch, pike, and eels, however in recent years chub and eel numbers have begun to decline. PDF Six Ponds and a River Bank - Fancy Free Walks Very little angling is available in this area as the local lakes are closed to fishing and the River Mole is controlled by the local authority who do not permit fishing on their land. There were a series of fires over a century and after the last in 1978 the buildings were demolished. The bridge was rebuilt in 1991. [78], It is not clear to what extent the Mole was used for navigation in the past: In the late 13th century, Thorncroft Manor (south of Leatherhead) purchased a shout, a type of boat up to 16 metres (52ft) in length used to carry produce to market[79] and it has been suggested that stone cut from quarries in Reigate was transported to London via the river. The parapets were rebuilt in 1914 and the structure was given a GradeII listing in 1953. Extract from The River Mole or Emlyn Stream by Mary Drinkwater Bethune, which was published in 1839. The second-largest Sewage Treatment Works (STW) in the Mole catchment is located on the Gatwick Stream 3km (1.9mi) upstream of the confluence with the Mole: Crawley STW discharges 15,000m3 (530,000cuft) of water per day, and in prolonged dry periods it accounts for up to 75% of the flow of the Mole downstream of the confluence. Instead of merely (for vestry and property owning matters such as poor relief, road maintenance, manorial ownership, land tax and tithes) being the southern hamlet of Walton, Hersham became an ecclesiastical parish in 1851. However, a search of the scene uncovered no evidence of any body parts and the fire service handed over control of the incident to Surrey Police. During the Second World War several sites along the course of the Mole were fortified for the defence of London against invasion from the south. Robinsway, Hersham is 634 meters away, 9 min walk. That this could have been constructed at all indicates a fairly large population in the district, a chieftain of some sort, organised labour and a desperate perhaps recurring danger. The woodland, river and ponds are attractive at any time of the year. Somewhere around 200 B.C. The River Mole and Stepping Stones are in front of you. Pages on this website do NOT confer a right to fish, nor to fish in a certain way. [53] Most holes were difficult to observe in times of normal or heavy flow and were susceptible to silting up as new holes were continually being formed. It has been suggested that a proportion of the excess water originates from the Mole Gap. [96] The bridge was renovated and strengthened in 1999 by a group of Canadian engineers working on the Terra Nove project. [4][5] The Mole Gap forms part of a Special Area of Conservation and is an SSSI of European importance. [36] There is no evidence that the presence of the frogs has had a deleterious effect on indigenous amphibians. It was occupied by pre-historic folk whose flint instruments have been found in large numbers beside the River on Southwood Manor Farm (Burhill Road KT12 4BJ) These date mostly from the mesolithic period. Concrete anti-tank dragon's teeth were built on both sides of the river, a short distance upstream of the bridge, as an obstacle to armoured vehicles.[89]. In 2003, Gatwick Airport Ltd pleaded guilty to charges of allowing chemical pollution to enter the River Mole after a detergent, used to clean rubber and oil from the runway, was washed into Crawters Brook by airport workers. Part of a guide to angling in Surrey. The Anglo-Saxons may well have been the first permanent settlers here; they gave the name to the place and no older remains of actual dwellings in areas not mentioned above have been found. ", READ MORE: Emergency services find nothing after report of 'body part' in River Mole near Hersham - recap. River Mole fishing | Allaboutangling.net We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. The medieval bridge was rebuilt by Gwilt in 1786, but was washed away during the September 1968 floods. This forum belongs to the other rivers. The original viaduct was washed away by floods on 15 September 1968. [88][90] The location is popular with anglers and families, but swimming is strongly discouraged as the water is polluted in places. The Mole catchment reaches a maximum elevation of 265m (869ft) above Ordnance Datum at Leith Hill to the southwest of Dorking. The Heath is an area of rough scrubland and, despite its name, is a reclaimed landfill site hence its large but artificial mound and small plateau. [134] For many years there may have been two mills on the site for corn grinding and industrial use. Mole (Horley to Hersham) is 60.133 km long ?Pp9sJA_s^quN9&tx\R8Mx5s_u`:{,;.$0c )]}6>w~ByK_~_ Vj>&5HSQvPu|w_?~M6 /q$|;3Lq8SqN)?=LHI}sAZ]uesS6z3E i!+=yj}1z%H#4H:M[Wj\#\gDG/`ujzpa:yO(K+:3`~~j?u{?-@%qExtKste_/EX:n[xv[?8w{~fo?2,W`)_(rF z~~6VGS8_];qssWSn_n*,o lDu>>X\$=vlP[~gCLp? The nearest stations to River Mole Pre School are: Thrupps Lane, Hersham is 89 meters away, 2 min walk. Get flood warnings by phone, text or email. Hersham also has three primary schools Burhill, became primary in 2015, Bell Farm, became primary in 2014 and Cardinal Newman. We'll update this page when there's a flood alert in the area, which means flooding to low lying land is possible. Erected in 1992 to replace the original bridge presented by the, A five-arch brick viaduct constructed by the. [37] A second non-native species, the edible frog (Pelophylax kl. [citation needed]. For the hamlet in Cornwall, see, The artefact-rich manor is at Burhill Road KT12 4BJ, Will of Dame Dorothye Edmondes, widow of Sir Christopher Edmondes, of 'Est Moulsey, Surrey', line 39 of her registered will; National Archives; PROB 11, proved 21 Sept 1615: 'And the lease of the Coppice called the Hurst Coppice, lying & being in Haversham, in the parish of Waltoun, in the said county' (spelling modernized), 'The Memoirs of Herbert Hoover, The Cabinet & Presidency 19201933' (Pub. Hersham - Wikishire [15][16], The Mole enters Surrey to the south of Horley, where it meets the Gatwick Stream, a tributary draining Worth Forest to the southeast of Crawley. [27] During this period, the Mole is thought to have merged with the River Wey near Byfleet and then flowed in a north-easterly direction via Richmond to meet the proto-Thames near Ware in Hertfordshire. However, the road remained open and the site was clear of parked vehicles by mid-morning. Hersham is served by Hersham and Walton-on-Thames railway stations with a minimum of two trains per hour and differing types of services on the South West Main Line. Viviparid snails and water scorpions (of the genus Nepidae) are commonly found where the river runs over the London Clay. Its roll holds approx. [12] The Mole runs under the airport runway in a culvert completed in 1985. [76], Significant Bronze Age finds include a bronze sword found close to the river north of Amberley Farm near Charlwood[77] and a small hoard of weaponry consisting of two palstave axes and a scabbard chape was discovered in 2003 in Norbury Park close to Ham Bank. Tributary of the River Thames in southern England, This article is about the river in south east England. [note 3]. Within a few minutes walk of this suburban-urban bulk of Hersham in the east are green fields and meadows alongside the River Mole and footpaths by fields used for mixed farming. The Thames was lapping the edge of Hurst road, but fortunately that major river had reached its peak. Wed also like to use analytics cookies so we can understand how you use the service and make improvements. [25] Finally the Mole splits into two branches at the Island Barn Reservoir near Molesey: the northern (and smaller) branch continues as the River Mole and the southern branch is known as the River Ember. quickly develops into a wild ramble along the River Mole and then over beech- and pine-clad hills. [55] When the Dorking to Leatherhead railway was constructed in 1859, a fossilised swallow hole was discovered in the cutting at the south end of Box Hill & Westhumble railway station, suggesting that even in its early history, the river had swallow holes.[53]. The remaining% is made up of rented dwellings (plus a negligible% of households living rent-free). The river passes under the airport in a 425m (465yd) long concrete culvert with 50cm (20in) thick walls and roof. Col. Terry of Burvale, Hersham. Luftwaffe bombers also dropped various bombs on and around Hersham and six V-1 flying bombs exploded in the parish. River Mole at Stoke D'Abernon, Cobham and South Hersham flood warning This trail is great for road biking, running, and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. In 1953 the larger mill was demolished by Surrey County Council to allieviate traffic congestion on Mill Road. . These levels can help you understand your flood risk now and over the next few days. In response to heavy flooding of East Molesey and Thames Ditton in September 1968, the river was modified downstream of Albany Bridge to the Thames and new flood defences were constructed. Just across from the green is a shopping centre, consisting of multiple shops and restaurants. PDF Six Ponds and a River Bank - Fancy Free Walks [6], The river has captured the imagination of several authors and poets,[7] particularly since in very hot summers the river channel can become dry between Dorking and Leatherhead, most recently in 2022. [26] (For the purposes of the remainder of this article, the River Mole and the River Ember are treated as a single entity. A part suspended steel and timber deck bridge, spanning 42 metres (138ft). Water is therefore able to flow out of the river through swallow holes in the bed and banks, decreasing the volume of water carried in the main channel. Above Meath Green (near Horley), the terrace corresponds to the flood plain of the river, however from this point downstream to Brockham, the river cuts a narrow trench no more than 150m (160yd) wide. The woodland, river and ponds are attractive at any time of the year. Turn left, signposted Hersham and follow this almost to the gates of a caravan site. Hersham Green, in the nucleus of the village, is 3.4 acres (1.4 ha) of open space where regular events take place throughout the summer. A severe flood warning means there's a danger to life. However, during the early 1930s, when Hampton Court Way and the bridge were built, the River Mole was redirected to flow into the River Ember and both rivers now enter the Thames in a single widened and straightened channel once occupied only by the River Ember. [36], The River Mole has the most diverse fish population of any river in England. The course of the river through Norbury Park was partially straightened when the Epsom to Horsham railway was built in 1837, with the removal of a small meander north of Westhumble. Read more 2021 munki-boy design, All Rights Reserved. Up to date as of 3:29pm on 27 February 2023. Opened in 1936, it provides services to London Waterloo and Woking to commuters based in Hersham itself - just under a mile to the south - and the southeast parts of Walton on Thames. Emergency services conducted a search at the scene but were unable to locate anything. In the nucleus of the village is Hersham Green, 3.4 acres (1.4ha) of open space on which regular events take place throughout the year. Hersham is served by Hersham and Walton-on-Thames railway stations with a minimum of two trains per hour even on Sundays and differing types of services on the South West Main Line. The bridge is largely composed of flint and has a large inverted scallop shell in the place of the keystone and similar shells in the spandrels at each side. It also takes in all six ponds of this part of Esher Common, some hidden deep in the woods. The 360 acre estate is known both for its extensive wildlife more than 150 species of birds and mammals have been recorded in the woods and parkland around its lakes and communal areas .as well as the high level of security and privacy provided to its residents; it is one of the few remaining residential areas in the United Kingdom never to [11], Five of the mills mentioned in Domesday Book were in the borough of Elmbridge.[10]. Frederick Wicks (18401910), author and inventor, retired to the village and died there. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. The island where it stood now forms part of the ornamental gardens of a housing development called "The Wilderness". The band's biggest hit was Hersham Boys. The restoration project was dedicated to the memory of the Canadian servicemen who were billeted in the manor during the Second World War. [98], Domesday Book listed twenty mills on the River Mole in 1086. The M25 Junction 10 is 4 miles away and an A-roads and dual carriageway connect neighbouring (but not contiguous) Esher and the almost bordering towns of Weybridge and Cobham, across a narrow strip of Walton on Thames. The Mole descends 15m[49ft] in the 10km[6mi] stretch between Brockham and Leatherhead, compared to 3m[9.8ft] in 19km[12mi] between Horley and Brockham. 1952), Key Statistics; Quick Statistics: Population Density, Hersham in Surrey: a brief local history of the parish of St. Peter's, Hersham, in the Borough of Elmbridge in Surrey, "William Lilly (1602-1681) By Barbara Dunn. [17] The mean flow measured at Horley gauging station (52m[171ft] above OD) is 1.40m3/s (49cuft/s). Just before the gate take the footpath on the right between 2 tree stumps. South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) also attended the incident. Fished the river years ago in the Esher/Hersham and Molesey areas before the giant flood of Molesey in the 60's. . [64], The river is first recorded in the Red Book of Thorney in AD 983 as Emen and in the AD 1005 Cartulary of the Abbey of Eynsham as both Emen and men. [43] Although much of the surrounding land has been taken by residential and commercial development, this section of the Mole supports 20 different mammal species, 20 butterfly species and 15 species of dragonfly. The most recent mill was demolished in 1959, although the mill house still stands. [1] The next major tributary, The Rye, (which drains Ashtead) joins to the north of Leatherhead, before the river is crossed by the M25 motorway. It was restored to full working order by the Cobham Mill Preservation Trust, and is now open to the public from 2pm to 5pm on the second Sunday of each month (between April and October). What does Hersham mean? - definitions Its housing is relatively low-rise and diverse and it has four technology/trading estates. large bittercress (Cardamine amara) and the non-native Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera). The Molesey Floods 50 years ago September 1968 By Molesey Resident John The River Mole rises in West Sussex and flows for 50 miles until it meets the River Ember. In this manner it goes away, lessening the stream for above a mile, near two, and these they call the Swallows. Box Hill Stepping Stones walk Surrey | National Trust Not all of the water removed from the river by the swallow holes is returned to the channel at Leatherhead. The Pipp Brook drains the northernmost heavily wooded slopes of Leith Hill (which include Squire's Great Wood and Abinger Forest), as well as areas of. The Beaches sections of the Shoreline Trail consists of the construction of a multi-use pathway in the Town of Evans and Town of Brant. The major tributaries of the River Mole are the Ifield Brook, Gatwick Stream, Earlswood Brook, Pipp Brook and The Rye, which drains Ashtead. As part of the development of Hersham a new shopping centre was built in the early 1980s with a large supermarket (30k sq feet ) now occupied by Waitrose, although the whole complex is currently under consideration for major redevelopment by the owners. River Mole and its tributaries from Kinnersley Manor to South Hersham Mole (Horley to Hersham) takes in water from an area around 151.017 km2 in size and is part of the Mole Lower and Rythe catchment area. At the east end of Painshill Park, the flood plain narrows into a trench about 60m (66yd) wide, in which the river runs northwards for 6.5km (4.0mi) towards Hersham, where the river enters the flood plain of the River Thames. The beautiful demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) disappeared from the River Mole during the 1960s owing to deteriorating water quality, but has since recolonised. The path leads to the Mole near a concrete bridge. This page was last edited on 12 February 2023, at 07:13. . It was occupied by pre-historic folk whose flint instruments have been found in large numbers beside the River on Southwood Manor Farm.These date mostly from the mesolithic period. The present bridge was constructed by George Gwilt in 1792, after responsibility for maintenance had been transferred to the county council by Act of Parliament. [136], East Molesey Lower Mill, also known as Sterte Mill, was associated with the manor of Molesey Prior. [11], Mention is made of a mill at Brockham in 1634 and remains of the mill race are still visible. [53] A few much larger swallow holes were also observed separated from the main river by a channel[clarification needed] of about a metre. The 1st XV play in a black-amber strip. It then runs along the west side of Horley, and heads north west towards Dorking. The bridge was designed by the architect Howard Humphreys and the westernmost section is a drawbridge which may be raised to prevent access to Painshill Park. ), Prior to the last ice age, the River Thames followed a more northerly route to the North Sea, from Reading via Marlow, Chorleywood, St Albans, Hertford and along the present SuffolkEssex border. a huge defensive earthwork was erected on top of St George's Hill (ecclesiastically in . In the 18th century and until 1802 at least, the estate, then known as 'the manor of Southwood and Silksmore,' appears to have been held by the Frederick family. GHQ Line B ran along the North Downs from Farnham and Guildford, crossing the Mole Gap to the north of Dorking and following the river to Horley. Mole Valley - Walking London's Waterways Home Mole Valley This walk was rather different in that it didn't follow an existing long distance path. The only contiguous settlement is Walton-on-Thames, its post town. Both barbel and brown trout are extremely sensitive to water quality and pollution. In this it was said, "I can see no future for [The Mole]. Cp-o{ kh/smY$Q$ ;^/%wh xHeZ?!Lku'Foki7# Dc|zNgnQ/I|G7#-[;Xeet?wi0v\v^S}"5K%zx MO9z5N.w?m?yuWFG (mVg! An old timber structure was replaced by a brick building in the 1820s which can be seen from the bridge over the Ember in Hampton Court Way. [38], In the Mole Gap between Dorking and Leatherhead the river supports populations of chub, dace, barbel, and brown trout. Gun mounts were also installed to protect both Boxhill and Deepdene bridges and several pillboxes were installed. [4], This private retirement village, which allocates some of its accommodation to disabled poor residents, is set in a lightly undulating, elevated, wooded part of Hersham and was created from a bequest of 1m left by a London department store pioneer William Whiteley.[6]. 26); This page was last edited on 20 January 2023, at 21:55. This is a new service your feedback will help us to improve it. The Stepping Stones Within Hersham is the mixed, secondary Three Rivers Academy. Flood warning area: River Mole at Stoke D'Abernon, Cobham and South Hersham, Surrey. How to get to River Mole Pre School in Walton-On-Thames by Bus or Train? Kayaking the River Mole - Fetcham to Hersham - YouTube [71], In common with much of the rest of the Weald, the earliest evidence of human settlement along the Upper Mole is from the Mesolithic Period (20,0007000BC). [note 2], From Sidlow the Mole turns north west towards Brockham. At Boxhill Farm, where access to the river from the north bank was required for the herd of dairy cows, a row of twelve concrete cylinders were cast as an anti-tank measure. 5 0 obj Rules can change, and fishing may become banned on waters.A small commission is made from the sale of products in the fishing tackle section. Leaving Dorking, the River Mole skirts the south west of Leatherhead and then Cobham, before heading north between Hersham and Esher. ", "Manchester United's Luke Shaw signs new contract at Old Trafford until 2023", Parakeet population booming in borough Molesey News & Mail, 7 July 2004, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hersham&oldid=1134823525. When the Burford Bridge was rebuilt in 1937, excavations revealed a "flint-surfaced approach to [a] ford at low level having all the signs of Roman workmanship" suggesting that Stane Street (which ran from London to Chichester via Dorking) crossed the river at this point.