The year is 1838. A new railway station bursts onto the scene. It’s not in Kingston. Kingston Council refused the railway line fearing damage to the coaching trade. This new station is in Surbiton. It’s initially called Kingston-upon-Railway a rather clumsy name. Surbiton a name with Saxon origins meaning southern grange or outlying farm slowly gains prominence.
Surbiton blossoms. Grand 19th-century townhouses emerge. Art Deco courts appear. Modern residential blocks blend with 20th-century estates. It becomes a desirable place to live. People commute to London Waterloo a mere 16-minute journey. This is Surbiton.
The original station opened in 1838. Surbiton though only officially named in 1869 has a much longer history. The name itself is attested as early as 1179 as Suberton. Its development was spurred by the railway. It became a fashionable suburb a haven for artists and writers. John Everett Millais and William Holman Hunt were early residents. Thomas Hardy even lived here for a year. Enid Blyton also found inspiration in Surbiton’s charming streets.
Surbiton’s fame extends beyond literature and art. Surbiton Studios once thrived producing films. The Cooper Car Company a maker of iconic Minis was based in Surbiton from 1946 to 1968. Surbiton’s sporting scene is impressive too. Surbiton Lawn Tennis Club hosted international events. Surbiton Hockey Club is one of the best in the country. Surbiton even boasts a thriving croquet club. This is the multifaceted Surbiton.
Even today Surbiton continues to be a place where history and modern life intertwine. Its Art Deco station is a testament to the past. Yet it looks to the future with the possible addition of Crossrail 2. Surbiton is more than just a suburb. It is a vibrant community a place of culture and history a place of sporting excellence a place that deserves to be celebrated. The story of Surbiton is a story worth telling a story worth experiencing.