Up to the End of the 17Th Century 18Th and Early 19Th Century Later 19Th

PROPOSALS FOR THE HAMPTON COURT STATION SITE History The site Hampton Court Way and Cigarette Island which surrounds the station site, owes its character to major changes made in the early 1930s when Hampton Court Way was laid out, the present Hampton Court Bridge and bridge over the River Ember was constructed, and when Cigarette Island was made into a public park. Key characteristics of the area include: Red brick retaining wall from the 19th century Hampton Court Bridge. Hampton Court Bridge built in 1930-33 which is Grade II listed. Hampton Court Way, a wide carriageway separating the station site from Bridge Road and Creek Road. Cigarette Island Park, landscaped in the early 1930s, including a double row of mature trees along the southern bank of the Thames. Local area Up to the end of the 17th century East Molesey is the oldest area of settlement in this part of the South Bank of the Thames. Until the thirteenth century East and West Molesey were one parish centred on the present East Molesey. 18th and early 19th century The Hampton Court settlement is clustered around St Mary’s Church, in the vicinity of the present Walton Road, away from the Thames crossing. Buildings which remain from this period include the Bell Inn, the Old Manor House, Quillets Royal and Green Arden. East Molesey, 1745 Late Georgian workmen’s cottages along the northernmost section of Bridge Road demonstrate the ribbon development which spread between the old village and Hampton Court Bridge in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Later 19th and early 20th centuries Hampton Court Station opened on 2 February 1849, this has been called ‘arguably the most crucial date in the whole of Molesey’s history.’ Even before this date, once it was known the railway was to arrive, speculators were buying land in the vicinity for development. The main street in East Molesey continued to be Bridge Road, leading from Hampton Court Bridge to the old centre of the village. The vicinity of Bridge Road and the station included commercial and industrial uses in addition to East Molesey, 1868 residential. Growth in river-related leisure activities along this stretch of the Thames contributed significantly to station use. With more visitors coming to the area the station lines were extended north of the station to a coal depot and locomotive turntable on the present ‘Jolly Boatman’ site. From the First World War to the present day In 1933 Molesey became a part of Esher Urban District and expanded in 1974 to form the present Borough of Elmbridge. Hampton Court Way was constructed on the site of the former river course linking to the new Hampton Court Bridge and improving motorised access to the station. The present road pattern south of Hampton Court Bridge was laid out at this time, with Creek Road subsidiary to Hampton Court Way and the old Castle Hotel demolished to create an open space at the bridgehead. East Molesey, 1914 By the mid-1950s the ends of the railway lines that were extended in the late 19th century were drawn back from the northern end of the site, the present screen wall was constructed as a return to the original station building and the ‘Jolly Boatman’ building (since demolished) was constructed. Aerial of Jolly Boatman Pub from 1970’s Hampton Court Bridge, 1930 -1933 L. knyff, engraving of Hampton Court from the east, 1702.

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